LGBT Center goes outdoors for Earth Day

Editor’s note: Because Delfin Bautista does not identify with one gender, the non-gendered pronoun “they” is used.

The LGBT Center is coming out. Outside, that is.

In honor of Earth Day, the LGBT Center at Ohio University is shutting its doors at noon on Tuesday and moving over to the Scripps Amphitheater.

Megan Villegas, graduate assistant in the LGBT Center, said this has been a special project for her to work on.

“(The LGBT Center) is a wonderfully welcoming space,” Villegas said. “It’s close-knit, it’s comfortable, but we have a big, gorgeous, beautiful university and part of working to enact change on our university is being visible and being out.”

The day, weather permitting, will boast activities for students to partake in, as well as provide an outside safe space in the same way the center does in Baker University Center.

“We’re not necessarily on anyone’s way unless you’re specifically going down this hallway,” Villegas said.

Some of the activities include treats, poetry, crafting, “up-cycling” t-shirts and a t-shirt donation and swap.

“We wanted everything to have a little bit of an Earth Day theme,” Villegas said. “Making sure we are being eco-conscious, eco-friendly with what we do.”

Villegas added there will be an “Ask a Queer” booth where students and Athenians can come and ask questions on or about the LGBT community to those giving their knowledge.

The event is also a great way to gain visibility on campus, not just in a reactionary way, Villegas said.

“Not that I don’t think that when we do counter-protests that is a positive way of being visible, but it’s in reaction to something negative so I think being out and visible in a central place on campus for a purely positive reason, I’m looking forward to that,” Villegas said.

Delfin Bautista, director of the LGBT Center, said they are looking forward to the opportunity for the center to open its doors and head outside for the day.

“Because we’re Scripps and in the Amphitheater, if people need to be connected to the Wi-Fi, they can still do their work,” Bautista said. “We’re just getting out, figuratively and literally.”

Sarah Jenkins, programming coordinator for the LGBT and Women’s centers, said in an email she is excited to get out in the fresh air.

“I think it's great to get folks outside enjoying this wonderful weather after such a tough winter,” Jenkins said. “It's also great because it's giving the LGBT Center a very visible presence and may attract folks that would never walk into the center.” 

In case of inclement weather, the day’s activities will still occur, just in the center, Baker University 354.

rb605712@ohiou.edu