The Qube is a great place for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Question students, and their allies at UW-Stout. Located in the Price Commons room 141/143, the Qube is open Monday through Thursday from 10am through 7:30pm and on Fridays from 10am through 4pm. It was exciting to learn more about the Qube and how Stout has made an impact on this community. “The Qube has helped to create strong community for the LGBTQ students and office at UW-Stout. With this we can expect constant growth and increased communication for the LGBTQ students and LGBTQ activism,” states Robert Felton, LGBTQ 2013-2014 President.
On Thursday, April 3, The Qube held what they called the “gay Oscars,” aka the Gayla, where the Qube gives out “Qubie Awards”. “Student and faculty advocates have been working hard for years to help create this amazing inclusive climate at Stout. The support for the LGBTQ community here is now so active that we need to show recognition for our advocates and allies, simply because they deserve it! We have come a long way and this is how we show our thanks.” Angela Oaks, LGBTQ 2014-2015 President tells us.
One award that I thought was unique was the Debra Davis Award for Transgender Advocacy. This award was named in honor of UW-Stout alumnae Debra Davis. She graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor’s in education and further completed a Master’s degree in communications media technology in 1988. “Ms. Davis went on to become an award-winning transgender educator, activist, and nationally renowned speaker, trainer, and author. She is Executive Director of the Gender Education Center, a Minnesota non-profit organization of transgender people dedicated to support advocacy and education, and winner of over a dozen awards from local and national organizations ,including the Human Rights Campaign, Curve Magazine, OutFront Minnesota, and Twin Cities Pride,” LGBTQ Program Coordinator, Julie Miller told the audience. After Ms. Davis came out in 1998 as a transgender woman, she became one of the first successful transitions in the nation. She continues to support UW-Stout by donating to the Gender 7 Sexuality Alliance. She shared with us how important it is to continue to support your school.
Below are the awards and their recipients.
Fantastic Freshman
Coltan Schoenike
Undergrad of the Year
Angie Oaks
Faculty Ally of the Year
Debra Davis Award for Transgender Advocacy
Dr. Markie Blumer
Staff Ally of the Year
Adam Ludwig
Housing Ally Award
Molly Harvey
LGBTQ Friendly Organization of the Year
Ally Initiatives- Represented by Katie Quinn
Qubie of the Year
Jill Nerison
Outstanding GSA Member
Robert Felton
Outstanding Qube Staff Member
Justin Nelson
Community Ally of the Year
Bailey Britton
Lifetime Achievement Award for LGBTQ Advocacy
Scott Griesbach
Scott Griesbach Award for Excellence in LGBTQ Advocacy
Robert Felton
All photo credit to Her Campus (UW-Stout) photographer Alex Geller.