A contestant from the Miss America Pageant will talk and share stories of living with family and friends in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
The Counseling Center and the Office of Institutional Diversity are bringing Miss New York Claire Buffie to talk about her social platform, "Straight for Equality: Let's Talk." The Ball State alumna will talk with students, faculty and staff at 7 p.m. in Pruis Hall.
Buffie is a straight ally in the gay rights movement and calls the issues with the GLBTQ community the human rights movement of her generation. Staff psychologist at the Counseling Center and coordinator of the Safe Zone projects Jay Zimmerman said Ball State asked Buffie to speak for this lecture because of her support of the GLBTQ community.
"We contacted her and she agreed. In fact, she said she was glad to come back to Ball State."
Buffie graduated in 2008 with a major in visual communications and a minor in dance performance. She lives in Manhattan, where she has her own business for photography and design.
"I'm glad she went as far as reaching the Miss America Pageant, which helped take on the platform," Zimmerman said. "She is very involved in these issues beyond the Miss America Pageant."
Buffie is also a member of the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
"I think she is a powerful speaker. She speaks from the heart," Zimmerman said. "Her message is important because of the issues in the state."
The Indiana House voted last month in favor of an amendment to ban gay marriage, and is waiting for the Senate vote. If the Senate approves it this year, it would have to pass the General Assembly again in 2013 or 2014 to get on the 2014 ballot.
Zimmerman said Ball State's Safe Zone program continues to train students, faculty and staff to become straight allies with year-long workshops. Zimmerman's program also works on putting together a conference each year in the fall to raise awareness of the GLBTQ community.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
