NEWS

from Central Connecticut State University
Honored as a "Leadership Institution" by the Association of American Colleges & Universities

Media contact: Peter Kilduff, Director of University Relations
(860) 832-1791; Kilduff@ccsu.edu
 

Discrimination due to sexual orientation to be discussed at gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender lecture at CCSU on January 24 at 7 p.m.; public invited
 

NEW BRITAIN -- January 22, 2008 -- How does it feel to be discriminated against? To be called names or threatened because of your sexual orientation?

Those and other questions will be addressed at a program at Central Connecticut State University on Thursday, January 24 at 7 p.m. in Alumni Hall in the CCSU Student Center.  The event is open to the public and free parking is available in campus parking lots.

In their program “When the Gays Move into Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Joe Bertolino and Bil Leipold talk about the realities of living in a world of heterosexual privilege. They draw on personal experiences as gay fraternity men and student affairs professionals as well as highlighting the reactions of their families and friends to their being gay.

“This real-life, down-to-earth program emphasizes the humanity of being gay,” .Bertolino says.  “It is not a lecture. We don’t spout statistics. It isn’t about theory,” t’s about us, about our life, about real people, and the experiences that we’ve had.”

They realize that the subject matter may make some people uncomfortable, so they use humor to lighten the mood. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Bertolino says. “We laugh at ourselves, because there is humor in everything if you look for it hard enough. Plus, we really enjoy presenting on a topic we feel is important.”

Bertolino says that he hopes his lectures may help to break down the stereotypes that people often associate with the gay community.  Gay Americans are not just the drag queens, but also the guys in the suits and ties carrying briefcases, having families, and working along side you in the office.

Bertolino and Leipold present serious subjects in a funny, interactive, and challenging style that gets students and professionals thinking about homophobia, heterosexism, and diversity from a new perspective.

Dr. Joe Bertolino currently serves as the Vice President for Student Life and Chair of the Department of Student Personnel at Queens College in New York City.  Bil Leipold serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Student Services in the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University-Newark and Assistant Coach for Men's Division III tennis.

“When the Gays Move into Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” is the first lecture of the new CCSU Student Union Board of Governors Living Room Lecture Series.

Directions to CCSU are at the University¹s website:

http://www.ccsu.edu/visit.htm

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