Monday, Aug. 29, Shannon Dycus, Dean of Students, and Jackie Font-Guzman, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, sent a campus-wide email alerting students and faculty of a protest against the LGBTQ+ community along the campus sidewalk.
Positioned along Park Rd., the protester’s large sign read, “7 Scriptures Against Homosexuality.” Being public property, little could be done to remove him.
Dycus and Font-Guzman’s email affirms EMU’s views on the matter. “We stand in solidarity with all of our LGBTQ+ community. This is what we strive for at EMU: to be in community with each other, embrace difference, respect others, and affirm our values of inclusivity.”
Soon after the man’s presence was known on campus, a small counter protest began. Water and Italian ice were made available to the students and faculty who attended. A singing circle, led by Sophomores Reah Clymer and Tyler Williams on vocals and ukulele respectively, sang “This Little Light of Mine.”
The counter protest quickly gained momentum.
Signs reading “Honk for LGBTQIA+” and “Everyone is Welcome Here” were positioned directly in front of the protester, held proudly by students and hiding him almost completely. Speakers played songs of positivity, including “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross.
Students and faculty alike felt joy throughout campus. Junior Safe Space Council Member, Ani Betizel, recounts her experience seeing the protest. “When I stepped out of my dorm to see it, I, for the first time, felt unsafe at EMU.” After seeing the efforts made by the EMU community, Beitzel goes on to express her gratitude. “I felt incredibly loved and supported by these students’ actions. I never thought that something so harmful could turn into an event so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. All of these wonderful humans make EMU a loving and affirming space for everyone.”
Professor and Safe Space Advisor, Kathy Evans, “was really proud to be an EMU royal that day,” sharing similar feelings of gratitude. “We have some of the most amazing students and I saw evidence of that on Monday when hatred and discrimination was met with peace, love, and a full on pride party!”
The efforts of the students and faculty was then acknowledged by Dycus and Font-Guzman in another email titled, “Solidarity and compassion.” They thanked the EMU community “for being witnesses of the values that we hold together,” reminding us that “love guides our responses to one another, not judgment or harm.”
