Spectrum, the University’s student organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and their allies, announced Monday it will once again host the Louisiana Queer Conference.
Newly appointed president and biological engineering senior Kameron Kilchrist expressed his excitement for the conference, which will be held at the University on March 23, as well as the organization’s semester plans with a group of 40-50 students.
The conference began as an idea to gather college students from around the state for networking and movement-building purposes, Kilchrist said.
This will be the third year the organization hosts the Louisiana Queer Conference. The conference’s speakers have yet to be announced.
Kilchrist said last year’s conference was particularly successful. The 2012 conference’s keynote speaker was Mara Keisling, the founding executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, who Kilchrist said discussed methods for moral activism and greater consideration for transgender rights.
The 2012 Louisiana Queer Conference also included 30 different workshop options, Kilchrist said.
Last year’s conference, which Kilchrist said he was “proud to be involved with,” won the University’s Love Purple, Live Gold Award for Outstanding Academic/Educational Program.
Chad Freeman, graduate assistant for the LGBTQ Project and Safe Space Campaign for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Spectrum graduate adviser, said the organization has a wide array of options for students to get involved.
Freeman said the organization’s multiple committees offer ways for involvement through general activism, political activism and education.
Digital art sophomore Andrew Hebert, who has been involved with Spectrum for two years, said his favorite aspect of the organization is its accepting environment. He said students can attend meetings to meet friends and do things together without feeling left out.
“It’s just a safe place for people,” Hebert said. “We accept everyone.”
Spectrum holds general meetings every first Monday of the month during the semester, excluding holidays. The next meeting is planned for March 4 in the Atchafalaya Room in the Student Union.
Next meeting: March 4, 6-8 p.m. Atchafalaya Room in the Student Union
Louisiana Queer Conference — March 23
Contact: [email protected]
