hittin’ the high notes See page 9
raiders’ sports
ozzy or ozzn’t he? music review on page 10
page 4-5
Puyallup PoSt the
S E r V i N g t h E P u Ya l l u P c a m P u S o f P i E r c E c o l l E g E Photo by Philip Nufer
Pierce college features National coming out Day By Philip Nufer Puyallup Post
Is sexual orientation a choice? No, say gay and lesbian supporters. Sexual
Students select new reps
orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experi-
By Lonny Sulfaro
ence. Some people report trying hard to change
Puyallup Post
their sexual orientation with no success.
In this fall’s election for two student representative positions, Karri Stevens won the rep-
why is the “coming out” process difficult for some gays and lesbians?
resentative one seat by nearly 50 percent of the vote.
False stereotypes and unwanted prejudice toward gays and lesbians make the process of “coming out” emotionally painful and very challenging.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting the
speaking out of the cLoset: Lynn Abegglen and a panel of gay and lesbian supporters recently explained to Puyallup campus students the stereotypes and realities about gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
rest of the team and making connections with
information.)
feel like a female on the inside, or vice versa,”
Vorwerk for the repre-
said Abegglen.
sentative position.
people that I can use now and in the future,” said Stevens, who competed against Jonnel
Lesbian and gay people often feel “different” and “alone” when they first become aware
Sloane and Nathan
of same-sex attractions. They may also fear
Abegglen, a representative of Parents-
being rejected by family, friends, co-workers,
Friends of Lesbians + Gays, spoke to audience
Transgender—females with short hair who
For student repre-
and religious institutions if they do “come out.”
members about the controversial issues and
wear combat boots or males who wear skirts
sentative two, Katie
In addition homosexuals are frequently the tar-
questions dealing with sexual orientation in her
and pretty pink hair bows.
gets of discrimination and violence. About 50
speech titled “Queer 101.”
percent of homosexuals have reported some form of discrimination during their lifetime. In October, Lynn Abegglen and a panel of gay supporters came to the Puyallup campus to explain the stereotypes and realities of gays, lesbians and bisexuals. In addition, representatives were available
Abegglen elaborated for students the vocabulary regarding sexual orientation. Bisexual—a person who feels romantic about people of the same and opposite sex.
Whitish
won
with
about 45 percent of stu-
Homophobia—an intense, irrational fear of
dents casting their vote
gays and lesbians.
for her.
Heterosexism-—how society sets up the
Karri Stevens
“I’m looking for-
rule that it is not “normal” to be with someone
ward to getting to know
of the same sex. Society also used and sometimes still uses
a lot of people and
tures from both genders who is surgically made
this illogical thought process when it comes to
building a community
into either a male or female.
racism, or interracial dating, said Abegglen.
within
Intersex—a person born with physical fea-
the
college
to educate students about their support organi-
“Because of this hormonal imbalance, a per-
She cited many examples of heterosexism
because there are a lot
zations. (See end of article for organization
son may look like a male on the outside, but
See comiNg out on page 6
of really cool people here,” said Whitish. Photo by Lonny Sulfaro
New York tribute is van-tastic
Other students campaigning for the position
were
Katie Whitish
Krystal
Blevins, Suzanne Carmody and Sarina Nash. Students also approved the amendment to the constitution on the ballot that changed the way the top three student government positions
By Lonny Sulfaro and Katie Yates
are filled. Students now will be selected—
Pierce College Puyallup has started a fund-
instead of elected—for positions that include
raiser to collect money for victims of the Sept.
the student body president and two vice presi-
11 terrorist attacks, but one instructor has gone
dents. The reason student government officials
even farther.
considered changing the process is because
Art instructor Elizabeth Sorenson and about 35 Introduction to Art class students are work-
of the limited number of candidates who
ing on an unique project to help with the relief
want to campaign for these positions. In all, the 717 students—who made up 27.3
fund.
percent of the student population—voted.
Sorenson and her class are painting Sorenson’s 1984 VW Vanagon with patriotic themes
See VaN artwork on page 11
Leading Ladies: In this issue, The Post features the females of the Student Programs leadership team. Please see page 9.
VOLUME 7 ISSUE 2 ¥ NOVEMBER 2001
Stevens and Whitish both have prior leader-
See ElEctioNS on page 15