‘Brick-by-Brick’ seminar speaks on LGBTQ+ acceptance

by Rachel Palmer Staff Writer

A seminar called “Brick-by-Brick: Creating LGBTQ & Gender Inclusive Classrooms & Spaces” was hosted at Willis Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 16.

The seminar was led by Priya Poehner, a professor in the Department of Middle, Secondary and K-12 Education at LHU, and Rick Schulze, a professor in the Department of Health & Exercise Science and the faculty advisor of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA).

Several faculty members from LHU and Mansfield attended, as well as teachers and a member of administration from a local middle school. Only one student was present.

Upon arrival at the seminar, each attendee was given several papers.

They listed the facilitators and their contact information, a document titled “Suggestions for Supporting Participants in a Bullying Episode,” a glossary of LGBTQ terms, and a matching game containing some of the listed terms with their correct definitions.

The last paper hand- ed out was an opening activity asking each individual to identify how they might react to situations such as “how to stop harassment of LGBTQ+ students before it starts” and “how I can help my LGBTQ+ students develop a healthy sexual orientation identity.”

The opening activity sheet led into a series of introductions. The attendees shared why the seminar was important to them and a challenge or area of progress that they’ve seen in their community.

The word community, Poehner stressed, was to apply not only to schools and universities, but also clubs, classes, and residence halls.

This dialogue took up nearly the whole hour allotted for the seminar, but resulted in a helpful exchange of ideas, strategies and techniques to build a stronger, better community of individuals who are accepting and understanding of the differences of others.

One administrator from the local elementary school remarked that they’ve seen more young children accept their LGBTQ+ peers without resistance.

The four officers and club advisor of LHU’s Latino Student Association (LSA) made their way to the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference hosted in Chicago from Feb. 15 to Feb. 19.

The conference had not taken place since 2019 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, it came back full force this spring.

The conference itself is made up of representatives from 40 different states that come together in order to address issues facing the Latin American Community in the United States.

They discuss issues such as immigration, education and inclusion in the workforce. Those who visit the conference are considered leaders of this minority community and it is their way of empowering their community.

Mia Swales, club advisor, said that she could not think of a single thing to highlight about their trip because the entire trip was a highlight in and of itself.

Swales said, “The conference left all of us feeling empowered to be just who we are as individuals and to create our own ‘brand,’ stand tall and be oneself and spread light and love.”

Maria Ruiz, an officer for LSA, said, “My highlight of the trip was when I attended a First-Generation Workshop and I got to learn other individuals’ stories. As well as learning what motivates them.”

Both Swales and Ruiz believe that the LSA brings something to the LHU community as a whole, beyond just Hispanic people.

“The club provides a sounding board [for] education revolving around Hispanic culture,” Swales said. She also says that the club is “monumental to the community in every aspect.”

Ruiz added, “[LSA] is a space that makes everyone feel welcome and not out of place.” She also emphasized that “[a]nyone can join our club, especially if they would like to learn more about Hispanic culture.”

Not only did the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Conference trip allow LSA members to grow more aware and connected with their community, but it also served as an opportunity for the group to socialize and unwind.

“The conference or trip to Chicago allowed us to unplug, yet be awakened in another dimension,” Swales said.

The five LHU representatives also had the chance to go out and explore Chicago during their visit to Illinois.

They saw the Bean, Millennium Park, had authentic Chicago-style pizza as well as other foods that Pennsylvania does not offer.