Joy Walker, Ally
Volunteer Coordinator - Center for Community Service

INVOLVEMENTS AT OU:
Center for Community Service activities and attending on campus events as I know about them. Also participating in divisional meetings, safezone training, and CSLC meetings.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE OUT or TO BE AN ALLY? 
It is important to let students, faculty, parents, and community members know that all people have the right to feel like they fit in or have support, no matter if they are in or out, black or white, male, female, or transgender, everyone has the right to be who they are and feel like they are supported in that role. It is important for me to be an ally, because I believe in giving all an equal and fabulous experience in college no matter how they identify themselves.

WHY ARE YOU “PROUD”?  WHAT ARE YOU MOST “PROUD” OF?
I am proud because some of the greatest people I have met, looked up to, and befriended, do identify themselves as a lesbian, gay, or bisexual and I truly am honored to know them. Not because of how they identify themselves but for what they stand for in life, their work they have accomplished or what they have taught me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHERS WHO COME OUT?
It is a very difficult decision to make, and I cannot pretend to understand the life changes that will come out of making such a decision, but I do know that there are a number of people out there who want to be there for those who do want to come out.

THOUGHTS FOR NON-LGBT PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT PEOPLE AND CONCERNS:
People get so concerned about labels, I have found that people need to be more concerned with how do people treat you, how do you behave towards others, and how can you be a better humanitarian. Labels don’t matter, people matter. You would be surprised how many people probably could be your best friend if you would just let the label go.

COMMENTS:
As I said before, I am not nearly an expert on this subject. I know I have been honored to have met so many people who have taught me so much about life, and well, it has always been a side-note how they identify themselves, I associate myself with people who I respect, trust, get along with, have things in common with, and never on what gender they are, what color skin they have, or what sexual orientation they identify with.