Enjoy Out@Anderson’s photos from the week
By Carolyn Gray Anderson
During the week of April 13, the columns ringing UCLA Anderson’s Marion Anderson Courtyard were wrapped in rainbow colors to signify alliance with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer-Identified community. Central to Awareness Week activities was the Ally Pledge of solidarity with LGBTQ people, signed during the daily lunchtime Ally Rally by Dean Judy Olian and nearly 200 others at Anderson. Allies proudly added their signatures to a giant poster and wore an “I pledged” sticker.
Why is it important this is happening at a business school? Even in the U.S., total workplace equality isn’t a guarantee. As Out@Anderson Co-President Devon Dickau (’15) said in his Anderson TED presentation the previous week, “There are 29 states where I could be fired for who I am and it would be legal.” During Awareness Week he said, “My personal goal is for every student to graduate from Anderson with the language, the knowledge and the tools to be an active and engaged ally to all marginalized communities, as professionals and as citizens.”
Dickau, incoming Out@Anderson Co-President Derek Bailey (’16), and Out@Anderson’s ally leadership Kelsey Ziegler (’16), Kelly McKenzie (’16), Alexandra Carey (’15) and John Kapteyn (’15) all played integral roles in orchestrating the week’s events. “The outpouring of support from the Anderson community this week was incredible,” said Dickau. “Posts on social media. Participation in events. And the side conversations I had throughout the week — individuals taking me aside and expressing genuine interest and excitement about our effort. I could not be happier with the success of our first-ever UCLA Anderson LGBTQ Awareness Week.”
Awareness Week at Anderson, which coincided with UCLA’s campuswide observance, was an open celebration of the achievements of LGBTQ people and the support they enjoy within our community. Participants made statements by wearing Allies@Anderson T-shirts and Out@Anderson PROUD ALLY wristbands. One passing alumnus, impressed with how the Anderson rally created a safe space for conversations about LGBTQ topics, said, “This is so cool. I wish we had done this when I was here!”
Anderson’s online portal to LGBTQ news and events launched the previous week with profiles of Anderson students, alumni and faculty, and the blog featured Q&As with some of them. Dean Olian, on behalf of all of UCLA Anderson, expressed a commitment “to strengthening our inclusive culture.”
The student club Out@Anderson provides professional development, social networking, and advocacy opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and queer-identified students and allies at UCLA Anderson.
Ally Pledge
I pledge to be an ally to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. As an ally, I support the Out@Anderson LGBTQ Club and their efforts to lead diversity initiatives. Beyond the Anderson campus, I will do my best to ensure that friends, family, coworkers, and colleagues feel safe and supported. I will stand up against gender discrimination and all other prejudices directed at members of the LGBTQ community. I will work to create an inclusive environment for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations recognizing that diversity is a force that enhances our shared human experience.
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