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Rainbow Center celebrates 10th anniversary with opening of art gallery
Caitlin Mazzola
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Focus
The Rainbow Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary at UConn with a wave of color and an air of acceptance at its opening reception for the "Legacy and Spirit," an art show, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Student Union. The Rainbow Center recognized its decade of improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students with works of art created by the LGBT community and its supporters.
Like the Rainbow Center, "Legacy and Spirit" provided a colorful and inviting environment to passersby and members alike. The show's purpose was not only to showcase the art created by the community, but to inspire more of the UConn population to accept and be aware of diversity, a goal the Center has been steadily attaining during its lifespan.
"UConn went from being the number 12 most homophobic school in the country to being in the top 100 most tolerant schools in the country," said Crystal Pretzman, a UConn alum and former member of the Rainbow Center.
That fact alone encompasses all of what the Rainbow Center has done to push past narrow-mindedness and make UConn a more welcoming environment for the LGBT community. According to Pretzman, UConn's Rainbow Center is considered one of the best in the country, and visitors and alumni alike are amazed at the growth and space the Center has achieved in 10 short years.
The exhibit was organized to include a timeline of events since the Rainbow Center's conception in September 1998 that affected the LGBT community as a whole, as well as UConn. On February 11, 1999, USG passed the Gay Marriage Resolution, making UConn one of the first universities to support same-sex marriages. In October of 2005, the Rainbow Center placed first for marching groups in the Homecoming parade, and the state of Connecticut legalized civil unions. In November of 2005, Judy Shepard, the mother of the gay slain college student Matthew Shepard, spoke at UConn on behalf of her son.
"I learned things that I didn't know," said Dr. Julie Elkins, advisor to the USG. "The did an amazing job, being able to capture the timeline and progression of how the students have worked together, not only as the Rainbow Center, but collaboratively with the community."
Like the Rainbow Center, "Legacy and Spirit" provided a colorful and inviting environment to passersby and members alike. The show's purpose was not only to showcase the art created by the community, but to inspire more of the UConn population to accept and be aware of diversity, a goal the Center has been steadily attaining during its lifespan.
"UConn went from being the number 12 most homophobic school in the country to being in the top 100 most tolerant schools in the country," said Crystal Pretzman, a UConn alum and former member of the Rainbow Center.
That fact alone encompasses all of what the Rainbow Center has done to push past narrow-mindedness and make UConn a more welcoming environment for the LGBT community. According to Pretzman, UConn's Rainbow Center is considered one of the best in the country, and visitors and alumni alike are amazed at the growth and space the Center has achieved in 10 short years.
The exhibit was organized to include a timeline of events since the Rainbow Center's conception in September 1998 that affected the LGBT community as a whole, as well as UConn. On February 11, 1999, USG passed the Gay Marriage Resolution, making UConn one of the first universities to support same-sex marriages. In October of 2005, the Rainbow Center placed first for marching groups in the Homecoming parade, and the state of Connecticut legalized civil unions. In November of 2005, Judy Shepard, the mother of the gay slain college student Matthew Shepard, spoke at UConn on behalf of her son.
"I learned things that I didn't know," said Dr. Julie Elkins, advisor to the USG. "The did an amazing job, being able to capture the timeline and progression of how the students have worked together, not only as the Rainbow Center, but collaboratively with the community."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Rev Donald Spitz
posted 3/05/09 @ 12:03 PM EST
Matthew Shepard? How many straight children have been molested and murdered by homosexuals? A lot. How many Christians have been assaulted by homosexuals because they didn't like the way they voted? A lot. (Continued…)
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