2008 Woodie Awards
Gay Pride at MSU
Students and Staff Unite As One
Jeremy Slagle
Issue date: 10/14/04 Section: Feature
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Braving the icy breezes, dozens of students, faculty, staff, and administrators gathered around the flag polls outside the Student Center on Monday to celebrate the start of National Coming Out Week. The raising of the symbolic rainbow flag was the first of many events planned this week to commemorate the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people who took their first few steps out of the closet. To many this was a day of pride and joy; to others it was a day of tolerance and acceptance; and for another group of people, it was yet another step in the fight for equality.
Many different types of people attended the event sponsored by S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M.S. and G.L.F.S.A. S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M.S., Sexuality, Pride, Education, Community, Truth, Respect, and Unity at Montclair State, is a Class II Organization of the SGA. G.L.F.S.A., the Gay and Lesbian Faculty and Staff Association, co-sponsored the event, and the reception afterwards. G.L.F.S.A. Chairperson and Professor of Sociology, Dr. Gil Zicklin, said that today was "a reminder of how things have changed over time for the better."
MSU President Dr. Susan A. Cole gave the opening address. "We work really hard to keep the campus a warm, welcoming, and safe place for all students," she said. "They each come to us as a distinct individual human being. I want each one to feel valued for who they are."
Interim Dean of Students Margaree Coleman-Carter was also in attendance. "I am proud to be a part of the MSU community," she said. "Today is a day to appreciate diversity and celebrate difference."
S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M.S. secretary Dante Cianni, a senior English major, said in his speech, "...to me, the rainbow flag is not an emblem of exploitation, or of sexual prowess. It is a symbol of pride, of strength - the strength it took every gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender person to come out of the closet [and] the strength of those who support them."
The most memorable and moving speech of the day was given by Cindy Meneghin, an office staff worker at MSU. Meneghin was joined at the podium by her partner of over 30 years Maureen Kilian, as well as the couples' two children: son Josh, age 12, and daughter Sarah, age 10. Both children share each parent's last name. Meneghin and Kilian
Many different types of people attended the event sponsored by S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M.S. and G.L.F.S.A. S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M.S., Sexuality, Pride, Education, Community, Truth, Respect, and Unity at Montclair State, is a Class II Organization of the SGA. G.L.F.S.A., the Gay and Lesbian Faculty and Staff Association, co-sponsored the event, and the reception afterwards. G.L.F.S.A. Chairperson and Professor of Sociology, Dr. Gil Zicklin, said that today was "a reminder of how things have changed over time for the better."
MSU President Dr. Susan A. Cole gave the opening address. "We work really hard to keep the campus a warm, welcoming, and safe place for all students," she said. "They each come to us as a distinct individual human being. I want each one to feel valued for who they are."
Interim Dean of Students Margaree Coleman-Carter was also in attendance. "I am proud to be a part of the MSU community," she said. "Today is a day to appreciate diversity and celebrate difference."
S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M.S. secretary Dante Cianni, a senior English major, said in his speech, "...to me, the rainbow flag is not an emblem of exploitation, or of sexual prowess. It is a symbol of pride, of strength - the strength it took every gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender person to come out of the closet [and] the strength of those who support them."
The most memorable and moving speech of the day was given by Cindy Meneghin, an office staff worker at MSU. Meneghin was joined at the podium by her partner of over 30 years Maureen Kilian, as well as the couples' two children: son Josh, age 12, and daughter Sarah, age 10. Both children share each parent's last name. Meneghin and Kilian