March 5, 2014

By Thomas Zimmer

As part of this year’s International Week, The Center for Global Education teamed up with PRIDE and IMPACT to screen “Born This Way” on Feb. 26.

The film depicts the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender and Questioning community members living in recluse in modern-day Cameroon.

Cindy Konrad, the LGBTQ coordinator at UW-Whitewater, said she wanted to show the film to raise awareness about the events occurring in African countries surrounding anti-gay laws.

“Right now, Cameroon has the most arrests of any country that has prohibitions against being LGBTQ,” Konrad said. “These laws can carry between a six-month and five-year prison sentence along with a large fine simply for identifying as part of the gay community.”

Konrad said in addition to raising awareness, the LGBTQ community hopes the film allows students to connect these issues in other countries with similar ones we experience in the United States.  

It was only 10 years ago when the Supreme Court ruled against laws prohibiting same-sex acts, which shows just how similar these issues are.

“We still have a lot of problems with discrimination and street violence, especially for LGBTQ young people here in the U.S.,” Konrad said. “We want people to understand what it means to be a sexual minority in the world and for people to see how closely related these issues are.”

Lisa Helms, PRIDE intern, said she was excited to get the word out about the global LGBTQ communities to other UW-Whitewater students that are not aware of the global issues.

“The issues they’re facing in Cameroon are not so different from the issues we’re facing here,” Helms said. “As a country that prides itself on being a leader in the world, if we’re educated here about issues in other places, we’ll be much more willing and able to help.”

The film borrows its title from singer Lady Gaga’s pop-hit.

Helms said she thought it was a perfect fit for the movie title.

“When that song came out, it was an anthem for LGBTQ people across the world,” Helms said. “I think it’s really cool that the same figures that provide inspiration for us here are providing inspiration for people across the globe.”

Devon Winfrey, a student who attended the viewing, said he thought the film was a very eye-opening experience.

“I definitely gained a better understanding of the differences between LGBTQ culture here and in African countries,” Winfrey said. “This movie is going to bring awareness toward their situation and is going to allow other countries to offer any support that they can.”

Students on campus have several options when it comes to helping the LGBT communities in Whitewater and across the world.

“We have the PRIDE center where we do lots of outreach, as well as IMPACT which is our LGBTQ student org,” Konrad said. “Even those that aren’t directly affected by these issues are working towards making their groups open and affirming places.”

Helms also said PRIDE has been working hard this year to help those in the LGBTQ community now more than ever.

“We host events around campus supporting the LGBTQ community,” Helms said. “We staff the PRIDE center to make sure we are available for the LGBTQ community to have a safe place to come and just relax.”

The PRIDE center can be found in the University Center behind the Career and Leadership development office and is open during normal daytime hours for anyone.  Any upcoming events will be advertised throughout campus, and they can be a great way for students to expand their horizons.