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Being openly gay at Ohio University in Athens can be difficult. Being gay and [a person of color] at the school is another challenge all together. Freshman Evan Robinson knows that firsthand, and his personal struggles led him to create SHADES, a discussion group intended to help queer African-Americans feel more comfortable at OU, a school with a very small minority population (only 3% of undergraduates are African-American).
"There's really a need for a group like this," says the university's LGBT Programs Center coordinator, Mickey Hart. "[Students" can actually talk about issues surrounding a dual identity."
Though the 19-year-old Robinson is a member of other groups for either African-American, gay, or progressive students, he says SHADES is unique:
"I feel safest with SHADES. It's an outlet for you to feel and feel freely."
The group has been around for less than a year but already boasts close to20 members. members are planning Day of Silence activities this spring and hope to particpate in conferences with other groups for minority queer students.
"I was just coming out last year," Robinson says. "And I'm far more confident with myself, knowing that I have a true support system with SHADES."
- Sarah Kennedy