P.R.I.D.E. is a campus student organization whose goals are frequently obscured by stereotypes. The organization itself exists to provide support and promote equality for all members of the campus community, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This support is not limited to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community but is offered to QA (Questioning and Allied) students as well.

We understand that students may be curious about identities other than their own, not be certain of their identity, or want to support diversity. To that end we offer educational events to provide our campus community with the tools they need to make ESU a more welcoming place for everyone.

Our next event is on September 7 at 7:00pm in Plumb Hall 303. It will introduce the H.A.V.E.N. program which examines bias and teaches techniques to create a bias free environment. The next event we host will be on Oct 5 at 7:30pm in Plumb Hall 303. Titled “LGBTTQQAAIIFOP…What?” it will use games to provide an introduction to terminology that is frequently used to describe sexual orientation and gender identity along with defining those terms.

P.R.I.D.E. is not limited to education. Our social events provide a place where any member of ESU is welcome to come and be themselves without fear of bias, harassment or bullying due to any aspect of their identity. Additionally we provide a chance for students and faculty to network and make the personal and professional connections they need to enhance their experience at ESU.

We also look beyond ESU by keeping aware of the political climate surrounding the LGBTQA community at all levels. We stay involved in the Emporia community through service events such as Trick-or-Treat So Kids Can Eat and Helium for Hope.

Should you have any questions about P.R.I.D.E. please feel free to contact our President, Austin Schopper at aschoppe@emporia.edu. If you have any questions about the LGBTQA community or our upcoming educational events please contact our Educational Chair, Andrew Leigh at abullard@emporia.edu.

Send article as PDF to

When the word “pride” is spoken on campus, thoughts may head for the LGBT group most recognized by the acronym, P.R.I.D.E., which stands for “people respecting individuality and diversity in education.”

PRIDE members play a game of Simon Says as a part of PRIDE’s back to school event. The event was held at Wilson Park, Saturday Aug. 20. Julie Thepachan/The Bulletin

“P.R.I.D.E. does a little bit of everything,” said Andrew Leigh, educational chair for the group. “It provides education about L.G.B.T. and people don’t have to worry about being bullied or harassed because of who they are.”

The organization represents those who consider themselves members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Ben Wiebeck, vice president, said members do not have to be part of the LGBT community to be join the group.

“Half of the officers are straight,” Wiebeck said. “(P.R.I.D.E.) is for anyone who is curious, interested and supportive.”

P.R.I.D.E.  held its back to school function last Saturday at Wilson Park where they invited students to play games such as hide and seek, red rover and freeze tag.         “Events are usually small but still fun,” Wiebeck said.

Although P.R.I.D.E. hosts many events just for fun, they also tackle hard issues.   “Some people can fall in the middle of the spectrum and it can be a really tough time,” Wiebeck said.

P.R.I.D.E. also does community volunteer work. Weibeck said the group donates food to the United Methodist Church food pantry during Trick-or-Treat So Kids Can Eat.

“I like P.R.I.D.E. because it’s a good group to have on campus,” said Kelsey Sturdy, junior elementary education major. “I think it’s great how people get involved and how passionate they are about it.”

Other events include the annual P.R.I.D.E week and National Coming Out Day.

Whitney Coleman

Send article as PDF to

Sheena LeMay, senior intergraded studies major and P.R.I.D.E. public relations chair, helps check out Jim and Cristina Raiz at the P.R.I.D.E. garage sale last Saturday. The money raised at the garage sale will help bring Sylvia Guerrero to ESU during P.R.I.D.E. week (April 20-24) to talk about her transgender daughter and how she was killed./PHOTO BY KATHI WALKER

Last Saturday, P.R.I.D.E. sponsored a garage sale to raise money to bring Sylvia Guerrero to Emporia State.

They more than succeeded in meeting thier goal. P.R.I.D.E. made $372.10 at the garage sale and $56 from their participation in last Thursday’s Jamnesty event. Their original goal was $175.

For P.R.I.D.E. the opportunity to host Araujo is a valuable one.
“She is the mother of Gwen Araujo, who was murdered in 2002 for being transgendered,” said Sheena LeMay, integrated studies major and P.R.I.D.E. public relations chair. “Sylvia speaks out against violence and she speaks for civil rights in the LGBT community.”
P.R.I.D.E. stands for People Respecting Individuality in Education and is bringing Guerrero to ESU at 7 p.m. April 23 in the Memorial Union.

“I’m excited,” LeMay said. “I’ve been talking to Sylvia. I’m the one that kind of put everything together. It was a big thing to try get her here before I graduated and she said the same thing, so she’s definitely worked with us as far as pricing and everything and keeping me updated on everything. She’s really helping us out.”
P.R.I.D.E. members said they were impressed with the number of people who attended the garage sale and those who donated money, which included Sociology Club and Amnesty International.

“It’s a better turn-out than what was expected,” LeMay said. “This morning, we had people here when we were still putting tables up. We had a lot of interest. People said they had seen our fliers on campus, had seen the posters we put out and everything. I think it’s gone really well. And we did publicize at Jamnesty, so that was a big help from Amnesty International.”

Lifetime has created a film about Gwen Araujo called “A Girl Like Me,” which, according to a flyer for the Sylvia Araujo speaking event, “shows the life and tragic death of a young woman born biologically male.”

“I’m definitely excited,” said Amanda Bullard, junior information resource studies major and P.R.I.D.E. member. “I think it will be very informative. It’s not a topic that I have any experience in or know anything about.”

P.R.I.D.E. members said they already have plans for the excess money that they have raised. They will spend it on publicity and, if they have any left, they will donate it to Matthew’s Place, an anti-bullying foundation, which was established after Matthew Shepard was murdered for being gay in 1998 in Laramie, Wyo.

Alex Pedersen/The Bulletin

Send article as PDF to

Beth Wegemer, freshman sociology and psychology major, and Ashley Williams, freshman history major, hold signs in counter-protest against Westboro Baptist Church picketers Monday afternoon at Flint Hills Technical College, across the street from Emporia High School. Wegemer and Williams were two of nearly 100 counter-protesters that gathered in opposition of WBC members, who preach against homosexuality./PHOTO BY KELLEN JENKINS

Members of P.R.I.D.E. protested alongside other Emporia State and Emporia High School students Monday afternoon against picketing held by Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka outside of Emporia High School.

“With the appearance of the anti-Christ, that is the beast Obama, in the White House, the time is so very short,” said Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of Fred Phelps, Westboro Baptist Church attorney and member. “The Lord is coming, America is doomed and they have only one course of action that will do at this hour. (They must) put away their idols, put away their false gods and put away their filthy manner of life and obey their God.”

Approximately 15 members of the WBC attended to protest and about 100 students counter protested. Members of WBC were protesting in Emporia in reaction to a being “put on trial for trumped up charges brought by a criminal D.A.,” their Web site said.

WBC members said that they speak out primarily against homosexuals and consider them to be evil.

“What they were doing was they were down here, picketing the high school to educate ‘our little brats’,” said Luke Wolford, sophomore sociology major and president of P.R.I.D.E. “We came out here because it’s only fair that they hear both sides. The goal of P.R.I.D.E. is to promote respect, to promote diversity and not to have that kind of hate, that kind of discrimination.”

But WBC members said they do not consider their picketing hateful or discrimination – they said they consider what they do to be loving.

“You call it picketing because that’s just the vernacular that’s used in this generation,” Phelps-Roper said. “But really what it is, is the preaching moment. We do it so we can warn this generation, so we can fulfill the royal law in James 2:8 and that is to love your neighbor as yourself.”

The counter protest open not only to members of the homosexual community, but to all those who support the cause.

“Even though I’m not gay, I have gay friends and I think everybody should coexist,” said Kris Benitez, freshman math major. “I see no reason why I should have to push my beliefs on other people or why other people should push their beliefs on me.”

Police guarded the roads that led to parking areas and made sure that neither side group of protestors stepped off of the pavement, the only place they were allowed to protest.

“Loving your neighbor is to not suffer this sin upon them,” Phelps-Roper said. “You warn them that their sin is taking them to hell, and then it says that if you don’t do that, you hate your neighbor in your heart. You’re not supposed to do that, you’re not supposed to be hating on your neighbor. So that’s why we do it. We do it because it’s our duty.”

But many of those dissenting against the WBC do not consider the actions of WBC to be beneficial ones.

“I hope that Emporia, at least Emporia, is more accepting of everyone,” Benitez said. “I think (Phelps is) really ignorant, just like any other kind of racist, sexist bastard.”

WBC members said they do not consider themselves hateful or racist, only that they are trying to save those they feel are in danger of going to hell.

“You’d think that they wouldn’t oppose us, wouldn’t you?” Phelps-Roper said. “I mean, if they were blind and they were heading towards a cliff, and we lifted up a really loud voice and said, ‘don’t go over the cliff, hello,” do you think they would really be hating on us like they do now?”

Members of the WBC left earlier than they had anticipated, saying that it was too cold to stay.

“I hope to send Fred away which, clearly, we did,” said Brittani LeMay, sophomore elementary education major and member of P.R.I.D.E. “They weren’t here for very long and we had a lot of support from the high school and a lot of people from the university came out and gave support.”

Alex Pedersen/The Bulletin

Send article as PDF to