Gender and Sexuality Center Advocates for LGBTQ Rights

Anelle Scott

Blake Bonkowski is a queer, trans person who discovered his identity on Oakland University’s campus 11 years ago and has since dedicated his life to advocating for student inclusion at Oakland University.

Bonkowski has been the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) coordinator since May 2022. Bonkowski defines his role on campus as an advocate for student inclusion and his role with the members of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance. He states that OU has grown much since he attended and acknowledges the accomplishments that have been made on campus:   

“We have an office and a coordinator, OU is ranked the top two schools in the state regarding LGBTQ inclusivity. On paper, we have solid policies, and people have a more positive experience here, but there are always areas where we can improve, such as with faculty being transphobic and not being held accountable.”

President of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance Speaks on Oakland University’s handling of Diversity on Campus

Anelle Scott

Oakland University has experienced controversy regarding gender inclusivity on campus.   Patrick Henkel stands as the president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance since 2022, the leading LGBTQ club on Oakland University’s campus. 

Henkle’s time at OU has shaped his journey with identity within the GSA; he has explored many roots of sexual orientation as it is a never-ending discovery. He now identifies as they/he pan asexual. 

“It is important to step back from the norms and be in touch with your sexuality.” Henkel said. “Always feel free to come to the GSA if you struggle with identity.” 

Which Wave of Feminism is 2020 in?

By Meg Speaks

Are we still in the third wave of feminism that started in the 90s?  

The distinction between the first and second-wave had a gap in time making it very clear there was a new wave. With the third wave of feminism spanning a number of ideas between 1990 and 2020, it is hard to tell.

The feminist symbol. Courtesy of Google Images.

Every wave pushes the next even more forward and progressive.  Now, most of the issues first wave feminists were fighting for are very normalized now, like the right to vote and be involved in politics. 

First-wave feminism was mostly about having more freedom and a demand to allow women to vote. This wave started in the late 19th century and into the early 20th century.  Second-wave feminism included gender equality, legal abortions, better reproductive health, and the right to be apart of the workforce even outside of wartimes. 

The Unequal Landscape of Electronic Dance Music.

By Nicholas Veal

A a prominent up and coming LA female producer and DJ, Kittens, is pictured – an occurrence that is far too rare within the EDM scene, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. (The Hundreds/Senay Kenfe)

Within the music culture of the day, music – regardless of the genre – is one of the key aspects that define the landscape of media.

One key category of music that is gaining traction at a relatively fast pace, due to the expanding scope of its outreach, is the electronic scene.

According to CNN, the electronic dance music industry has evolved to become a $6.2 billion dollar industry worldwide.

Diversity Reflected in STEAM Interest

By Nicholas Veal

A visual portrayal of the variations over time in not only racial, but gender makeup and representation within the STEAM fields over the lapse of generations. (IMAGE: MASHABLE COMPOSITE: GETTY IMAGES [LEFT] / GETTY IMAGES/HERO IMAGES [RIGHT] – October 10, 2017)By Nicholas Veal

Throughout current societal standards, technology – of any kind – plays an integral role within one’s daily activities.

Looking into the field within the job sector, however, it is particularly interesting how diversity pans out given the 6.2 percent involvement of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths) within the United States economy.

According the Pew Research Center, the most recent reporting of minority denominations from a racial standpoint within the workforce is as follows:

Oakland University Hosts 17th Annual Diverse Voices Conference

By Jeremy Curtis

The LGBT community continuously works to promote diversity and acceptance.

Diversity has become a big issue now more than ever. People are talking about how others live more often, whether it’s what divides or pulls us together.

But why does diversity matter? What do we continue to discuss it? How does it directly influence our everyday lives? And most importantly, how do people defend and promote their diversity?

On March 23, Dr. Chaunda L. Scott, Associate Professor in the Department Organizational Leadership, in the School of Education and Human Services at Oakland University, hosted the 17th annual Diverse Voices Conference at Varner Recital Hall.

Feminism in the 21st Century

By Rachel Pipia

The #MeToo movement is a focal point in feminist discourses.

The word “feminism” can incite a very different reaction depending on the person’s opinion of the word.

Many people are put off by the word itself, thinking it is about women overpowering men. Others are more skeptical based on some of the more radical practices of feminism.

Many different factors build up to give feminism the negative association it has today.

Big Corporations are Using Athletes to Combat Gender-Bias

By Kat Mihailidis

Tennis Player Serena Williams. Photo Courtesy WTA – (Getty).

Let this not be another desperate let’s-fight-for-female-rights article. Let this not be desperate. Instead, let this be proof that there are brilliant people out there, taking action and making a difference. Athlete Serena Williams is such a person. In the new Nike Ad, released Feb. 25 of 2019, she’s striving to make a difference. 

Williams, 37, is an American professional tennis player, born in Saginaw, Mich., according to biography.com. She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and several Olympic gold medals. She has also held the “top spot for Women’s Tennis Association rankings numerous times over her stellar career.”

A REVIEW: Broad City Breaks Boundaries

By Page Gardner

“Nose, vagina, butthole. If God didn’t want us to put our fingers in there, then why did she make them perfectly finger size?”

Photo by ©Comedy Central / Courtesy via Everett Collection.

Though this may seem like an appalling quote to include on a prime-time television show, this type of dialogue is the standard on Comedy Central’s show, Broad City.

From humble beginnings as a YouTube web series, Broad City has worked its way up to the top of the comedy ladder, leaving it’s 1.2 million viewers heavyhearted at the retirement of the female-led sketch comedy show.

Broad City follows the reckless adventures of Abbi Abrams (played by Abbi Jacobson) and Ilana Wexler (played by Ilana Glazer), two best friends in their 20s living in New York.

A Discourse on Feminism: College Students Weigh In

By Hannah Lewis

Feminism means equal opportunities for women and men. Photo courtesy by Tim Mossholder.

Feminism has many different lives in the eyes of many different people.

Feminism could be empowerment and equality to some, or a nuisance that doesn’t have a purpose in society today to others.

It is fact that the birth of feminism is the reason that women today have the rights they do,  but it is also fact that there are some who believe feminism is a moot point in 2019.

In an article published in 2018, it is stated that women still only earn 80.5 cents to a man’s dollar.