UB traded in blue and white for a more diverse color palette Wednesday when rainbows decorated the Student Union for the first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Bazaar.
Members of the LGBT Alliance (LGBTA), the Intercultural & Diversity Center (IDC) and the Wellness Center came together to mix education, food and fun for the event, called Connect 2008.
Tables were set up in the lobby with information and arts and crafts to raise awareness about issues affecting the LBGT community and offer messages of equality and acceptance.
"It's a visibility and support issue. Within the campus there needs to be more support for the group in general," said Carley Price, a freshman political science major and member of the LGBTA.
During the bazaar, Price worked at a table set up for the Equality Quilt Project. Students decorated felt squares that will later be put together as a quilt and displayed around campus.
"[Students] are putting what equality means to them on the felt," Price said. "People are coming and having fun, and decorating them the best they can."
The idea for LGBTQ bazaar came from Andrew Zapfel, a sophomore political science major and member of the LGBTA. The IDC approached the LGBTA about co-sponsoring events and Zapfel has enjoyed past bazaars held by the IDC.
"I realized, why isn't there one held for the LGBTQ?" he said. "The LGBTQ is alive and well in society and [we weren't] celebrating it here."
Zapfel hopes that people will learn to celebrate their differences and work to end hate.
"When you hear stuff that's anti-gay, anti-anything, stand up for it, stand against it," he said.
Students at the bazaar were able to get involved in the Ally Photo Project by signing a pledge and writing a statement about being an LGBTA ally. Students could then get their pictures taken, and the pledges and pictures will later be compiled into a book, according to Samantha Janosick, a sophomore social work major and treasurer of the LGBTA.
"It will show that there is an ally base [at UB] and there is unity through these allies," Janosick said.
The LGBTA was also taking signatures for a petition to create a LGBTA Resource Center on campus, with features like counselors on hand for students and an updated library.
"It would be like combining the wellness center, the intercultural diversity center and the counseling center, directed to the LGBT community and specific issues they would face," said Brett Lacki, a junior psychology major and vice president of the LGBTA.
Students agreed that the bazaar created a lively, safe atmosphere to ask questions and discuss issues affecting the LGBT community.
"It's a good thing to be open to people of different cultural backgrounds and other ways of life," said Ashley Wiehl, a junior German major. "For people who are confused or scared by it, it opens it up to the point where you don't need to be."
The bazaar was a good step toward raising awareness about the LGBTA, according to Amalia Rubin, a senior Asian studies major.
"[The LGBT community] is not some hidden, insignificant minority," Rubin said. "[The bazaar] is an open and festive atmosphere to get to know the LGBTA and take part in a way that's comfortable."
While students agreed with the bazaar's positive message, some felt the event could have been bigger and better.
"It's good to be out in the community, but I think there could be more going on right now," said Jake Wolf, a senior psychology major. "They need more fun events, to be more interactive and have things that will pull more people here."
Rosemarie Pacheco, a junior history major and president of the LGBTA, said she hopes events like the LGBTQ bazaar will help to get rid of misconceptions the public has about the LGBT community.
"There's more to our community than loud music and drag queens," Pacheco said. "We also have a lot of information to offer the community."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
