Name: Sierra Lantz
Year: Sophomore
Major: Gender and Sexuality Studies
Hometown: Bend, Oregon
This week’s Campus Celebrity is Sierra Lantz! Read on to learn about her work with ASOSU:
HC at Oregon State: What made you first want to get involved with ASOSU (Associated Students of Oregon State University) here on campus?
Sierra: As a first-year on campus, I hadn’t heard of ASOSU or student government at Oregon State. When I heard they were offering a position for Queer Affairs, I couldn’t pass it up! I was eager to create more visibility on campus as well as work in a position that allowed me to work in an area I feel incredibly passionate about.
HC at Oregon State: What are the issues that you are most passionate about in your position as the ASOSU Queer Affairs Director?
Sierra: I am most passionate about raising awareness to LGBTQ+ (queer) issues that aren’t talked about when it comes to the mainstream portrayal of equality for those who aren’t heterosexual or don’t fit the gender binary. An example is the issue surrounding marriage equality. It is important, but it ignores larger issues that the queer community faces as well as is more for the gay community and less for the rest of the queer community (bisexual, transgender, asexual, and so many more!).
HC at Oregon State: What are your duties as ASOSU Queer Affairs Director?
Sierra: The purpose of the Queer Affairs position at ASOSU is to improve the campus environment for students who identify as queer, as well as educate all students about queer issues. My position works to provide resources and events that are directly related to the queer community and encourage ideas and suggestions from the community in order to better create a more inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment for queer-identified students and allies. Queer Affairs exists to raise awareness of queer student and ally power, and place students in leadership positions to help the make changes in areas they feel are necessary.
HC at Oregon State: What are some other hobbies, clubs, or interests you enjoy?
Sierra: I enjoy writing, playing and singing music. In addition, I love to lounge about and I have a particular talent for binge-watching TV shows when I happen to have the time.
HC at Oregon State: How do you think being involved with ASOSU will help you with your career goals after graduation?
Sierra: As someone who wants to work to educate and advocate for marginalized communities, working at ASOSU is my stepping-stone to building the key tools and knowledge to successfully make such goals a part of my career later on in life. Additionally, the position I hold is not one that all universities offer, and therefore it’s an excellent job to have for future employers looking for someone with experience.
HC at Oregon State: How should other students get involved with LGBTQ issues on campus? Any clubs or classes you would suggest?
Sierra: ASOSU is always looking for interns/volunteers who are passionate about the issues surrounding the positions and are wanting to get involved. Stopping by our office in Snell (soon to be in the brand-new Student Experience Center) is the best way to get involved with queer issues here on campus. You can find office hours for all of our Task Force Directors on the ASOSU website. As for clubs, The Pride Center, SOL, TransForm, and several other groups on campus revolve around queer issues. OSU also has an entire department dedicated to Queer Studies if students want to learn more.
Be sure to check out all of these amazing LGBTQ resources within the OSU community, and check back next week for another fabulous Campus Celebrity!