The Puyallup Post | Volume 7 | Issue 2 | November 2001

Page 1

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


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