This fall semester, the Race & Gender class, led by Deanna Durham, has been discussing various topics such as systemic racism in America, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. As it nears the end of the semester, the class has been discussing a group Social Change project in which they hope to raise awareness on campus about a relevant topic that they observe that needs more attention. After much discussion, they decided they wanted to focus on LGBTQ+ rights and equality. 

This Thursday and Friday, November 12-13, class representatives will be standing outside of the EMU Campus Center and cafeteria to engage fellow students in conversation about several LGBTQ+ topics. They will be handing out buttons that can be pinned on students’ shirts, backpacks, totes, etc., with different pronouns printed on them. For example, they will have he/him, she/her, they/them, and blank buttons that can be filled in with any other identifying pronouns. The buttons will be a way for people to share their identifying pronouns to others without having to say anything. The hope is that it could also be a great conversation starter.

The Race & Gender class is excited for other students to stop by and say hello, talk with them, and snag a button. Lastly, they’d like to give a special thanks to Safe Space for helping them with this project. See you Thursday and Friday!