CAMPUS LIFE

Out-Space to host WCC’s first ever gender and sexuality conference

Members of the Out-Space club at a panel discussion they led earlier this year about being an LGBTQIA+ student at WCC. Lily Merritt | Washtenaw Voice

By Claire Convis
Staff Writer

WCC’s Out-Space student group is set to host the college’s first conference surrounding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual/aromantic (or LGBTQIA+) identities this coming October.

“We have been going out to pride events this summer,” said Zach Baker, the Michigan Community College Gender and Sexuality Conference coordinator, who is also involved with Out-Space at WCC.

Baker attended Ypsi Pride, Ann Arbor Pride and Jackson Pride events with members of Out-Space. Baker said that Out-Space was happy to support these events, as well as raise awareness for the conference coming up Oct. 18 and 19.

“This is the first time that WCC has hosted anything like this and we are really excited,” said Baker.

The conference will span a day and a half, starting Friday night and lasting all day Saturday. It will feature 30-minute breakout sessions led by faculty and 10-minute “Rainbow Talks” led by students. There will be creative expression such as collage, poetry and drawing, as well as physical activities including yoga, a nature walk and self-defense.

“We are excited to be screening an award-winning documentary called “How to Survive a Plague,” which is about the AIDS crisis,” said Baker.

Tom Zimmerman is the director of The Writing Center and adviser for the WCC Poetry Club. A few years ago The WCC Poetry Club and the Out-Space group collaborated for a special project.

“We did an anthology called “Paradigm Shift,” which included creative writings by members of the [Out-Space] club,” said Zimmerman.

“We believe that WCC is in a place where it could position itself to be a leader in LGBTQIA+ issues at the college level,” Baker said.

Zimmerman shared similar hopes.

“…This college could be the hub for LGBTQIA+ people who are maybe looking for a safe place where they could get a great education and also a lot of support,” Zimmerman said. “This is a very logical town and college to have that, so a cool conference like this will put us even more on the map, and get the word out.”

For those interested in becoming a better ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, the conference will have special programming on how to be a great ally.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people who want to be allies, because there’s so much we don’t know if we’re not a part of the community,” Zimmerman said. “There are a lot of ways that we can help.”

There are many different ways to be an ally, whether it is offering support to a friend, getting involved on a political level or speaking up against derogatory remarks.

In many places in Michigan, an individual can still be fired or lose housing just for being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Baker said it’s important for allies to stand with the community as they push for employment and housing protection.

“There are many, many ways of being an ally, and if people want to come to the conference they will see some new ways of doing that and improve things that they are already doing,” Baker said.

“One of the statistics that is really profound about the LGBTQIA+ community is that 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQA+,” said Baker. “A lot of community college students that are a part of the community don’t have the kind of support system that other students do, and therefore it makes it hard for them to complete their programs and their classes.

“So one of the big goals for this conference is to help them build a network of support and contacts at our college, and also at other colleges around the state,” Baker said.

“I’m excited for the students to learn from each other,” said English department faculty member Mary Mallalond, who has been the faculty adviser for Out-Space for about five years. “Our students have always been really active.”

Members of Out-Space have attended the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference for several years, Mallalond, said.

“There’s so much to learn,” Mallalond said. “It’s going to be really fun and interesting.”

Michigan Community College Gender and Sexuality Conference

When: Friday, Oct. 18, 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Who: Community college students; faculty, and staff of any community college in Michigan. Allies welcome.

Cost: $25 for students, $65 for faculty and staff.

More information at
www.wccnet.edu/mccgsc