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Gay P.R.I.D.E. Comes to N.C. A&T

By Jessica De Vault
Black College Wire

People Recognizing Individual Diversity and Equality (P.R.I.D.E.), the newest organization at North Carolina A&T, has secured its charter and says it plans to educate the campus on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues -- all of which are relatively taboo at A&T.

Photo credit: North Carolina A&T "We wanted to make sure the atmosphere was free and safe for these students," said adviser Cliff B. Lowery.

Jasman Johnson, an A&T graduate student, is the founder.

"The university needed a gay organization," Johnson said, "and with the growing numbers on the campus, we can be a strong organization."

Forty-five students showed up for the first meeting, along with four faculty members.

Johnson says that P.R.I.D.E. is open to everyone. "The overall goal is to diminish the stereotype and to help bring people out of being homophobic," Johnson said. "Heterosexuals are definitely welcome."

Dr. Cliff B. Lowery, director of the Office of Minority Student Affairs, is adviser to P.R.I.D.E. and several other minority organizations. He is enthusiastic about P.R.I.D.E. and said he believes that the campus is mature enough to handle an organization of this nature.

"I trust our students to be open-minded," Lowery said. "These folks are citizens of our community, and if we're genuine in our effort to be welcoming, then we want to allow room for people to develop to their greatest potential."

Precious, Monique and Alisha, three newly inducted members who declined to give their full names, said they were happy to join. However, the organization's coming out was practically a secret. The three young women had mixed emotions.

"I'm not comfortable with being out yet," said Alisha. "And I don't want it getting out back home."

"Honestly, I don't care," Precious said. "I am who I am." Despite that, they said they were satisfied to see an organization on the campus for gay and lesbian students.

"We kept thinking, 'it's so many of us'," Precious said. "We ought to just form something."

"There are so many homosexuals and lesbians out on the campus, and it's weird that you'll see them and we call them fam[ily]." Monique said, "But it's not like we're family, because we don't ever talk to that person, so we felt there was a need for an organization like this."

The young women said they looked forward to planning events and outings such as fundraisers and trips to black college week at Paramount's Kings Dominion, in Hanover County, Va. There didn't appear to be much concern about problems with students who hold differing opinions.

"I feel the campus as a whole won't have a problem," Precious said, "but there are always those conservative types."

Johnson was firm.

"We have a right to be here and we're not going anywhere," the group founder said. "We're going to be a prosperous group regardless."

Fliers about P.R.I.D.E. have been posted around the campus.

Connie Blue, a junior at A&T, was supportive.

"I don't have any problems with people being who they are," Blue said. "I'm definitely for people standing up for themselves."

Alicia Mitchell, a junior marketing major, agreed. "Personally, it doesn't bother me at all. The only thing that's different is that they love the same sex. If they want to have an organization, go ahead."

But few said they would ever participate.

"I don't have a problem with the group," Steve Hudson, a freshman, said. "But I wouldn't go to a meeting."

Adviser Lowery's confidence in the students did not make him any less apprehensive about how P.R.I.D.E. made its appearance.

"Because of the present climate, we wanted to be careful and sure," Lowery said. "We wanted to make sure the atmosphere was free and safe for these students."

Whether the student body welcomes P.R.I.D.E. or not, Johnson knows that the organization has to press forward.

"We're behind the times. Howard University has had a gay/lesbian group since 1990," he said. "But as long as the differences and diversities of mankind exist, democracy must allow for compromise, for accommodation, and for the recognition of differences."

Jessica De Vault, a student at North Carolina A&T State University, writes for The A&T Register.

Posted Dec. 15, 2004