Tuesday, October 26, 2010
www.msureporter.com
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Students strike back against John “the Baptist” Demonstrators protest during Chisham’s church service YOONKI KIM
staff writer
On Oct.17, 12 demonstrators from the Minnesota State Mankato’s LGBT community entered the church service of John “the Baptist” Chisham in response to Chisham’s speech at the MSU campus on Sept. 28. The speech, which was led by Chisham and was a near replica of the one from the previous year, seemed to rile up many MSU students who were simply walking to or from their classes. Among the targets of the demonstration were the LGBT community, who left heavily offended, according to protest leader Tara Mitchell. Chisham’s church service was held at a conference room at the YMCA in Marshall, Minn. In the middle of Chisham’s service, protesters made their way to the front of the room, where they stood bearing signs commemorating the gay and lesbian youths who have committed suicide
submitted photo Students from the LGBT community stood at the front of the service to remind people of lives recently lost.
after being bullied. Chisham said he asked the protestors to keep their signs down, but they refused to do so. Someone then called the police, but police officers didn’t take further action outside of staying in the
YMCA until the protestors left. James Dimock, an associate professor in the communications department who accompanied the those protesting, said Chisham explicitly gave protesters permission to stand with signs
during the service and they never violated any policy or refused any request. The service went on as Chisham ignored demonstrators. Mitchell said everyone went outside when the sermon was over.
“We stood on the corner where we can peacefully protest,” said Mitchell. “John came up and said some really nasty things to us, which included a homophobic, sexist comment.” Dimock said he’s willing to participate in any additional demonstrations if Chisham chooses to come back to the MSU campus. “I will participate as fully as my time, resources and conscience allow,” said Dimock. “If Tara Mitchell and the other brave young people from our campus plan an additional protest, I would support it. I encourage them to widen their efforts.” Dimock referred to Chisham as “the narcissist” for spreading his own hatefilled interpretation of the bible to a number of campuses in the area. “I encourage students from all those campuses to go to the River of Life Alliance conference room/ church and stand up to him,”
Protest / page 7
Exploitation or fun? What to be, what to be
Women’s costumes more sexualized than ever GRACE WEBB
staff writer
index
Plunging necklines. Tight bodices. Microscopic skirts. No, these aren’t hooker ensembles — they’re Halloween costumes available to women. There’s everything from a NASCAR pit crew outfit with Daisy Duke shorts to a nun costume featuring a miniskirt. Granted, there are more traditional (and less revealing) women’s costumes available, but sometimes it can seem pretty difficult to find a fun Halloween costume that’s cute without being slutty. Why have women’s Halloween costumes become more and more daring over the past years? Blythe
Voices............................ 5 World & Nation............. 9 Study Break.................12 Arts & Entertainment..13 Sports..........................17
Newburg, the marketing coordinator for the Minnesota State Mankato Women’s Center and second-year graduate student at the university, said costumes are getting racier because of culture as a whole. “Our culture sexualizes women, and [Halloween] costumes are a manifestation of that,” Newburg said. She said men can also be exploited with “hyper masculine” costumes, but women’s costumes really show how sexualized the view of women has become over the years. She also said racy costumes have started making their way into the kid’s aisles. “It’s getting difficult to find a
Revealing / page 8
Lady Gaga top for women, men opt for Mario and Lugi ANNE LEMERE
staff writer
Halloween changes when people grow up. As children, it is a time to dress up and collect as much candy as possible. Then it becomes about vandalizing and scaring others. By the time people are in college, it is about dressing up and having fun. With growing up, not only do the traditions change, but so do the costumes. Spencer’s employee Jaden said that their costumes are mostly female based. So far they have sold many nurse outfits. Jaden said the store mainly carries revealing costumes. Lady Gaga is one of the most popular costumes, and Jaden said Spencer’s
inside
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has accessories like wigs and glasses that have been selling. Kathie Leskey, a Halloween Express employee, said that they are also carrying Gaga wigs and glasses. Hot Topic employee Kelsey White said that the store sells a lot of lingerie and tights for Gaga costumes. White said the most popular female costume at Hot Top has been a “True Blood” Merlotte’s waitress outfit. Ragstock employee Leah Mortensen said females are buying ‘80s costumes. The store has many retro prom dresses on sale and Mortensen said many girls are buying them to turn them into corpse bride dresses. There are also
Popular / page 6