Matan J. Cohen

Tackling Homophobia

NFL Voices: Chris Kluwe & Esera Tuaolo

 

University Program Board to host Tackling Homophobia: NFL Voices Inspiring Change featuring Esera Tuaolo and Chris Kluwe | Monday, April 15, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

The University Program Board (UPB) is making an effort to build awareness and inform the student body at Slippery Rock University about LGBTQ issues as well as the importance of being true to oneself. “Tackling Homophobia: NFL Voices Inspiring Change,” an event featuring Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe and former NFL player Esera Tuaolo, will be held on Monday, April 15th, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the ballroom of the Robert M. Smith Student Center.

The event has been made possible through collaboration among several on campus departments and groups, including the Women’s Studies Program, Dr. Constance Foley, Vice President of Student Life, The Women’s & Pride Centers, The President’s Commission on Gender Identities & Sexual Orientation, the Department of Philosophy, the Department of Communication, and the Department of Political Science. Tickets will be required to enter the event and can be picked up at no cost by SRU students with their valid SRU Student ID at the Smith Student Center Help desk. Tickets for the public are $5.00. The event will provide students the opportunity to learn more about legalizing same sex marriage, creating a world of tolerance, and changing the culture within professional and collegiate athletics. The Tackling Homophobia program is the first of its nature to be designed and the Slippery Rock University Program Board Speakers Committee is excited for the event. Chris Kluwe, who is currently the starting punter for the Minnesota Vikings, made headlines last September when he released a letter to Maryland state assembly delegate Emmett Burns in which he supported the right of a fellow NFL football player, Brendon Ayanbadeio, to publicly support same-sex marriage. Kluwe has since then made his support on this issue more public, campaigning for Minnesotans for equality to defeat a ban on same-sex marriage. He has published several letters articulating his position, and has done numerous interviews voicing his support as an LBGT ally. We believe Kluwe would be a powerful ally in our efforts to keep SRU as diverse, warm, and open as possible. A defensive lineman in the NFL for nine seasons, Esera Tuaolo was forced to hide his sexuality, being a gay man in the hyper-masculine culture of professional football. Keeping the secret damaged him, leading him to drink excessively and contemplate suicide. Only one of three former NFL players to ever come out, Tuaolo publicly announced his sexuality shortly after retiring from professional football, which he described as “taking off a costume I’ve been wearing all my life.” Tuaolo has received huge amounts of support from former teammates, the media, friends and also family. Now he brings his incredible story to the podium to inspire others to achieve their best by speaking to their individual truths without fear or intimidation. During the program Kluwe and Tuaolo will speak about their personal experiences within the NFL and the community in relation to gay rights. Tuaolo will interview Kluwe on his position on this touchy topic and following the program there will be an opportunity for attendees to take a photograph with the speakers. 

 

The event filled over 500 seats and generated over $500.00 in ticketing and merchandise revenue. The collaboration with 6 on campus organizations encompassed over $17,500 in funding to help us host to phenomenal speakers and advocates. The sponsors benefited by receiving exclusive opportunities to be a part of a Diversity inclusion workshop and a student leaders reception prior to the program. The program received overwhelming positive feedback and was the first of its kind at a University.