Hi, my name is Roxie Schmidt and I attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I am going to be a junior and I’m currently studying Psychology with a Topical Minor that I have named New Waves of Diversity: Freedom to Express Cultural Identities. Attending Campus Pride in Maryland a couple weeks ago still comes as a surprise to me that I was even there just a few weeks ago. Originally it was said that there wasn’t a way for me to go so I wrote it off as a camp that I would never attend. Yet, on the last day of registration my boss walked into my office and told me that I would be getting the chance to fly to Maryland for the LGBT Leadership Camp and that school would be covering all my expenses. Now that I am back in Wisconsin all I talk about is how important it is for my campus to look into getting more students to this camp. I’ve talked to my bosses, friends and recently my Vice Chancellor to tell them all about my experience. Campus Pride was honestly a life changing experience for me, it was exactly what I needed, what I was intensely craving for and I will never forget how it has affected everything I am striving for today and for many years to come. The true honest feeling of acceptance; knowing that I was not alone and the empowerment that I have gained through camp has made it possible for me to finally see how to bring those feelings to my campus for other students who are in need of a support system, too.

Camp has made me realize things about myself that I didn’t even know. I think the most important realization I have come to is how I talk about being a lesbian. Before camp I was “out” but I would never talk about it with people openly unless I was sure that they knew I was a lesbian. I would never deny being one but I wouldn’t voice many of my thoughts and opinions about issues if people didn’t know me personally. But now, being back from camp I voice my opinion, I talk about being a lesbian to anyone and everyone and I make sure people know where I stand on hard issues. I do this because I needed to be more honest with myself, but I also do it because if my strength to talk openly about being a lesbian can help just one person realize that it’s okay to be themselves, it is completely worth it. I also never realized how much I was missing out on a support system. Not only did I find people that I will forever consider friends, but I found fellow workers all striving for equality. I found people that I can go to when I’m having trouble in my life, but also when I having problems on my campus. I have never found such a large group of people that I share so many similarities with. From the Faculty to the Pride Leaders to the Campers, everyone was there to help, learn and discuss issues that affect LGBTQQIAAP college students. Not to mention the amazing amount of resources, presentations and programs that we had, we received books, pamphlets, stickers and more. We had a plethora of speakers come and talk with us; speakers ranging from Cuc Vu (HRC) to Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington to Mara Keisling to Tammy Baldwin! Campus Pride was amazing and it is truly at the top of my list for best experiences of my life.

Some things you can look forward to me writing about for the Q Team throughout this upcoming year will be topics related to: getting LGBT issues researched, discussed and accepted on campus, LGBT identities, and the different ways that we as a community communicate with each other. Along with foreseeing myself commenting on different articles and books that I read. I look forward to sharing my point of view with those of you who decide to join me on my journey and I will always love to hear from you, the reader.