“I want to help be an advocate for people like me” – Argonaut
One of the most prominent diversity and inclusion initiatives on the University of Idaho campus is LGBTQ+ inclusion and advocacy that benefits all students, staff and faculty.
Flick Kemp, a second-year student double-majoring in history and political science has had a close relationship with UI’s LGBTQ+ resources since his first year on campus. Kemp participated in UI’s LGBTQ+ scholars program as a first-year student.
“The LGBT scholars program was really nice,” Kemp said. I met most of my friends that I have now through it. It was super supportive, and was a way for queer students to create a supportive community that helped them socially and academically.”
According to Kemp, the program helps to support the success of LGBTQ+ students by providing an extra support net, allowing them the best chance of succeeding while in college.
Kemp has also been involved with UI’s GSA, or gay-straight alliance, as well as other members of the LGBTQ+ office, for about a year. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted club functions, but participants are working to reestablish the GSA this academic year.
“Since we’re starting the GSA up from scratch mostly this year, I’m hoping that the GSA will provide a platform for awareness and advocacy for the LGBTQ community,” Kemp stated. “We hold game nights, and we have a D&D group that’s mildly affiliated, but for the most part we function as a support and advocacy group. We’re wanting to create more safe spaces for LGBTQ students, and give them help where they need it, whether it be for academic, medical, or social struggles.”
This year, Kemp is looking to take on a more governmental and organizational role within the GSA by generating programs and awareness for what is needed.
“I want to help be an advocate for people like me,” Kemp stated. “In that vein, I’m running for secretary, and even if I don’t get that position, I plan on working closely with whoever we do select so that they can have the greatest impact possible.”
Kemp’s involvement with the LGBTQ+ resources on campus has helped him explore parts of his personal identity he did not feel capable of considering before. Members of the LGBTQ+ scholars program, as well as the LGBTQ+ office and GSA, provided a space for listening and discussion, as well as the help in processing his own identity and the resources needed to do so.
He is just one student out of an entire campus community who benefits from these organizations. Both LGBTQ+ students and allies are able to take advantage of these programs to create a deeper understanding and tolerance.
“When (LGBTQ+ people) are able to see others celebrate themselves, and identify in a certain way, it opens the door for them to explore, embrace and understand that aspect of their identities,” Kemp stated. “Having exposure lets them know that they aren’t alone, that they aren’t wrong for their feelings and their identities. Giving them a space where they are seen and understood and have others they can look to for help and advice is incredibly important.”
Among allies, Kemp emphasized that engagement and interaction with people who identify as LGBTQ+ aids in removing some of the separation and otherness that is prevalent in local communities, creating a more safe, open and accepting culture.
“(This) disseminates the knowledge that even if you’re ‘gay’ or ‘queer’ you are still human,” Kemp stated. “You still hold intrinsic value, and for others to see this will hopefully lessen the stress and fear that is an unfortunate side effect of being part of the ‘other’, being part of the LGBTQ community.”
Nick Mannino is a non-traditional student in his second year attending UI to pursue a degree within the Food Science program. Mannino has come back to campus to secure a second degree after working within the restaurant and food service industry for the past eight years. He is currently a resident assistant for the Gault LLC, an intern for UI’s Career Services and the vice president for the UI/WSU Food Science club.
On top of a full 18-credit schedule and several other responsibilities and obligations, Mannino still finds time to participate with the LGBTQA Office, taking part in awareness initiatives and panels and keeping in touch with the supportive staff.
Mannino was part of the LGBTQ+ scholars program as a freshman and occasionally attends UI’s GSA meetings.
“Normally, I’m a fairly private person when it comes to being gay, but I do feel like there’s a certain level of visibility that’s good to have as an RA, and I represent on campus, and I’m older than a lot of students,” Mannino said. “I try to be present and I feel that the (educational) panels are a good way to get representation out there, especially to people that are willing to ask questions (and) that are wanting to find out more information.”
As an RA, Mannino has put in the effort to make sure his students feel welcome and comfortable with their personal identities.
“I have made myself a little bit more visible, so that people feel more comfortable that there is an RA that represents if not someone that’s gay, someone that’s at least queer that they can go talk to,” Mannino said.
Mannino recommends getting involved with the LGBTQ+ resources available on campus to pursue leadership opportunities and experiences and find a supportive community.
“It is a good thing to try to dip your toe into it, see how it feels for you and you never know, maybe that’s what works out and that leads you down a path that you didn’t expect,” Mannino said.
Julia Keleher has been the director of the LGBTQA Office on UI’s campus for the last nine years, securing the position with the university after completing a national job search in 2012. She also fulfills the role of advising UI’s GSA.
“My role is to help out students any way that I can … through advisement, so helping students navigate their time at the University of Idaho, whether that’s coming out issues or academic concerns or social concerns,” Keleher said. “I’m here to help them do the best they can and support them, and that’s honestly my favorite part of my job because I get to establish really, really great relationships with students, I get to know them.”.
Keleher coordinates cultural events, trainings, panels and presentations aimed at staff, faculty and students to make UI a more welcoming and inclusive space through students through education on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The LGBTQA Office often collaborates with the Office of Equity and Diversity, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Psychology Assistance Migrant Program, the Native American Students’ Center, the Women’s Center and Violence Prevention programs on campus.
“I try to answer to all aspects of students’ lives (and) make the campus a more inclusive space that’s working with faculty, providing consultation for policies, sitting on different diversity and inclusion related committees, (and) providing leadership with our health education to provide inclusive LGBTQ plus inclusive sexual health and relationship education for everybody, not just for the students I work with,” Keleher said.
Keleher has seen many changes and improvements within the LGBTQ+ resources available to students on campus since she began her role as director.
Recently, the university has allowed students to have a preferred first name available to be displayed across UI systems and business processes, allowing transgender, nonbinary or questioning students to change their name with reduced risk of unsafe coming-out scenarios relating to class, housing and other important university functions.
As well, UI has taken a step towards gender-inclusive housing within on-campus residence halls. This allows for certain students to live with others that they closely identify with or feel more comfortable around, diversifying residence communities.
As for future changes and goals, Keleher would like to see a system in which pronouns are added to class rosters. She would also like there to be themed residence options for students that identify as LGBTQ+, as well as more signage towards gender-inclusive restrooms on campus. Currently, one of Keleher’s focuses is restarting UI’s GSA.
“I’ve been much more involved than I normally am in past years, because with COVID, their group went inactive and a lot of all of our student leaders that were part of it either had left the university or graduated, so I’m really working closely with them this semester to re-establish their student leadership,” Keleher said. “Really, it’s a student group and I’m just there to support and provide reminders … making sure that students are getting what they want out of their organization.”
UI’s GSA allows for both LGBTQ+ and heterosexual/cisgender allies to discuss personal goals, experiences, wants and needs on campus and provides a support system and leadership opportunities for students of any identity. Meetings are currently held once a week on Fridays from 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
For students who are hesitant or insecure about getting involved with different resources on campus, Keleher assures them that they will be met with support.
“I know it can be scary, especially if it’s your first time coming to stuff, or maybe you’re just coming out or you’re just getting to know the community,” she said. “I’ll meet you somewhere and we can walk in together. I’ve done that before with students, and it’s always a great way to get to know folks, and sometimes it’s just nice to know somebody in advance and have somebody to sit by when you’re feeling nervous.”
Katarina Hockema can be reached at [email protected]