Saluki Rainbow Network sponsors Welcome Picnic

When Brian Bledsoe came to SIUC, he hardly knew anyone else who was gay.

“I felt really alone and isolated,” said Bledsoe, a junior in classics from Peoria.

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But when a co-worker invited him to a Saluki Rainbow Network meeting, Bledsoe was introduced to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals from all walks of life. By meeting people with similar interests, he began to feel better.

Bledsoe is now the co-director of SRN and has the opportunity to greet newcomers the same way he once was.

SRN hosted its welcome picnic Aug. 27 at the Campus Boat Docks. The event offered attendees food, drinks and an opportunity to find out the club’s plans for the new semester.

The picnic invited members, new and returning, to socialize with each other and munch on grilled hot dogs and chips. After the meal, everyone engaged in various group activities. During one of the icebreakers, all members had to say a little bit about themselves. The twist of the game was that one of the introducing sentences had to be a lie. The untruths varied from hometowns and number of siblings to cars and travels. One member even humorously lied about his sexual preference.

Along with the day’s festivities, both directors were given a platform to discuss the organization’s plans for the year. Co-Director Jenae Williams wants the group to be more aware of what is going on around them.

“We want to make more of a dent in the campus community and the Carbondale community and show that we are here,” said Williams, a junior in fashion merchandising from Chicago.

Williams also stresses SRN’s commitment outside the gay society.

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“We are not only a GLBT [Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual] community. We are here for everybody and here to promote awareness and education about GLBT lifestyle.”

In addition to Speaker’s Bureaus, which are held in classes and residence halls, SRN set up booths in the Student Center. The information is given to students so they can get a sense of what the group is about and, perhaps, learn a few things.

“We go for sort of an information thing, educating the residents or the class about GLBT issues. We sometimes get a few members out of that,” Bledsoe said.

When the organization is not educating about GLBT matters, SRN provides fun activities for both its members and the campus community. Among the highlights of the fall semester is “Coming Out Week” in October and the annual fall drag show, which is to be held Nov. 7. The Chicago Drag Kings are scheduled to perform at the show with a “suicide drag” at intermission. During “suicide drag,” random audience members are brought on stage to “perform.”

According to Williams, SRN would, above all else, like to present a haven for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals to be themselves.

“We want a place to present a gay lifestyle and an aspect of the gay community into the everyday world without being threatening or scary,” Williams said.

Bledsoe agrees, saying he understands what it was like to feel alone.

“People come out at their own time,” Bledsoe said. “Once they decide that they are safe with what they are doing, we [SRN] are here to provide a safe environment. We have a no ‘outing’ clause. No one from the outside could know that they are here for that reason.”

Reporter Leah Williams can be reached at [email protected]