Langston University has a large LGBTQ+ community; however, there is no social organization for them.
“So there are definitely a good amount of people here, girls and guys that are gay or just a part of the community in general,” said Bracey Odoms, a senior English major from Kansas City, Mo. “There’s no organization. Like, there’s just now a group chat this year.”
Odoms is among three students who express their thoughts on an LGBTQ+ organization coming to campus. Currently, sexual orientation is only covered under Title IX on the school’s website. Gender and sexual harassment are the main focus when it comes to topics related to discrimination. Odoms felt as if the school was indifferent towards the LGBTQ+ community “I haven’t seen any LGBT support besides Moore,” Odoms said, referring to the pride month decorations Director of University College, Kelly O’Bryan, puts up in Moore Hall. Langston’s PR team was asked why Langston does not post anything online during the month of pride.
“As far as the promotion and as far as events are concerned, that comes straight from student life,” the spokesperson said, saying that the PR department just amplifies whatever student life sends them when it comes to topics like this.
Odoms understands that Langston is trying to be an open campus, but she thinks LGBTQ+ representation should be a part of that. “Now we’ve come back from Covid, student organizations are getting to be more popular, and there should be an LGBT community so that we can just maintain a united front,” Odoms said.
Tytus Tisdale, a freshman business major from Tulsa, understands why Langston wouldn’t have representation as an HBCU. “The black community really doesn’t go all that out for the LGBT community,” Tisdale said. A lot of members of the LGBT community don’t feel represented or like they have a support system. An organization or support group could change that.
“I do feel it is necessary because it may be some people who actually need the support, needs the help because some people just don’t have it,” Tisdale said.
O’Bryan is trying to break the barrier for that representation to be seen and felt on campus. Not only does she decorate Moore Hall for pride month, but also for national coming out day. Since the change in her job position, she has moved over to University Women’s and will be decorating that building also. “My goal is to get all the buildings to celebrate all the different things months,” O’Bryan said.
Her office is what she refers to as a “Safe Place,” hoping that one day that will encourage someone to start a support group or organization for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Students naturally navigate their way here,” she said. O’Bryan herself hopes to be a safe space for students, as she is a part of the community and has been with her wife for 20 years. With Pride Month being in June and the school no longer leaving the buildings open in the summer due to renovations, changes are being made by O’Bryan to implement representation. “We’re gonna make it a big, big deal on national coming out day.”
Anyone wanting to show their allyship or represent their community can pick up a Pride sticker in O’Bryan’s office, which is located on the second floor of the University Women’s building.
Erin Cotton
Staff Writer
Erin Cotton is a junior broadcast journalism major.
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The Gazette serves as the student voice of Langston University. It is produced within the Department of Communication as a teaching tool and local news source for the campus community. The views and opinions expressed within are those of the writers whose names appear with the articles and do not necessarily represent the views of Langston University.
