Lambda promotes LGBT awareness
Erika Hyde
Issue date: 2/17/10 Section: News/Features
Zheng reports that ReVU, now in its third year, is drawing attention from organizations across campus. "We've received a lot of interest from outside groups- the Deans of Students, the Commons, the Women's Center. Lots of people could identify" with the events Lambda is scheduled to host, she explained.
Lambda is no stranger to collaborating with other student groups. Although ReVU will be Lambda's biggest focus of the semester, they regularly work with cultural organizations to co-host new events.
For example, they are partnering with the Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students and the Black Student Association to teach students about the intricacies of the upcoming census. "It's hard enough figuring out the census when you're a straight white male," said Zheng. Their "Census 101" event on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Buttrick 112 will educate students about guidelines and new policies, including the decision to include same sex partnership data in the U.S. Census for the first time.
Lambda also regular cosponsors the Chrismahanukwanzaa party during the holidays with Hillel and the African Student Union.
Beyond cultural organizations, Lambda has also made strides to bridge the gap between LGBT life and the Greek houses on campus. Zheng noted that many people assume animosity exists between LGBT students and members of Greek chapters, but explained that it's a stereotype that's fading.
"People seem to think that it's more divided than it really is. Most people in the LGBT community aren't anti-Greek by nature and being Greek doesn't make you homophobic. The Greek organizations were very supportive of last year's ReVU, and we're looking forward to an even better reception this year."
Last year, several Greek houses in addition to academic and administrative departments across campus hung rainbow flags from their buildings in symbolic support of ReVU week.
Rainbow ReVU's events are open to Vanderbilt as well as the greater Nashville community. Lambda publicizes many of its events to Nashville to help quell the myth that Vanderbilt is unwelcoming of alternative lifestyles. "There was that kind of reputation that [LGBT issues] weren't welcome here, which isn't fair...we try to promote our events to the outside community. The more people you reach, the more that stereotype goes away.," said Zheng.
Lambda has an 8 person executive board and collaborates with fellow undergraduate LGBT group HRC Vanderbilt as well as the Office of LGBTQI Life at the K.C. Potter. Zheng said the general body meetings regularly attract 15 to 20 people, with many more attending the major events they host throughout the year.
Lambda is no stranger to collaborating with other student groups. Although ReVU will be Lambda's biggest focus of the semester, they regularly work with cultural organizations to co-host new events.
For example, they are partnering with the Vanderbilt Association of Hispanic Students and the Black Student Association to teach students about the intricacies of the upcoming census. "It's hard enough figuring out the census when you're a straight white male," said Zheng. Their "Census 101" event on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Buttrick 112 will educate students about guidelines and new policies, including the decision to include same sex partnership data in the U.S. Census for the first time.
Lambda also regular cosponsors the Chrismahanukwanzaa party during the holidays with Hillel and the African Student Union.
Beyond cultural organizations, Lambda has also made strides to bridge the gap between LGBT life and the Greek houses on campus. Zheng noted that many people assume animosity exists between LGBT students and members of Greek chapters, but explained that it's a stereotype that's fading.
"People seem to think that it's more divided than it really is. Most people in the LGBT community aren't anti-Greek by nature and being Greek doesn't make you homophobic. The Greek organizations were very supportive of last year's ReVU, and we're looking forward to an even better reception this year."
Last year, several Greek houses in addition to academic and administrative departments across campus hung rainbow flags from their buildings in symbolic support of ReVU week.
Rainbow ReVU's events are open to Vanderbilt as well as the greater Nashville community. Lambda publicizes many of its events to Nashville to help quell the myth that Vanderbilt is unwelcoming of alternative lifestyles. "There was that kind of reputation that [LGBT issues] weren't welcome here, which isn't fair...we try to promote our events to the outside community. The more people you reach, the more that stereotype goes away.," said Zheng.
Lambda has an 8 person executive board and collaborates with fellow undergraduate LGBT group HRC Vanderbilt as well as the Office of LGBTQI Life at the K.C. Potter. Zheng said the general body meetings regularly attract 15 to 20 people, with many more attending the major events they host throughout the year.
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