Super Bowl Champ delivers keynote at UCO's Ally Week event
The University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Alliance for Equality (SAFE) will host Ally Week from March 31 to April 4. Now in its second year, Ally Week features a variety of events designed to showcase the importance of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) members of the Central community.
“Ally Week is a time on campus where the Student Alliance For Equality membership thanks the allies of LGBTQ equality through events, information and conversations,” said Kory Atcuson, president of SAFE.
Former Baltimore Raven and Super Bowl XLVII champion Brendon Ayanbadejo will deliver the week’s keynote at 6 p.m. April 3 in Nigh University Center (NUC) Ballrooms B and C.
“Brendon Ayanbadejo was invited to be the keynote speaker of Ally Week because SAFE wanted to highlight that many individuals from a variety of backgrounds support LGBTQ equality, including professional football players and Super Bowl champions,” said Atcuson.
Ayanbadejo, a 13-year veteran of the NFL and an outspoken supporter of marriage equality, will speak on the power of diversity, inclusion and understanding in both sports and daily life.
Additional Ally Week events include:
- Faculty and Staff Ally Day Reception, 2:30-4 p.m. March 31, Human Environmental Sciences building, Virginia Lamb Room: SAFE will discuss “SAFE Zone,” a program geared toward Central faculty and staff that aims to make Central a safer, more welcoming environment for members of LGBTQ community.
- Greek Ally DayCookout, 7 p.m. April 1, UCO International House (912 Chowning Ave., Edmond): A cookout and social to foster collaboration and openness between members of fraternity and sorority life with members of SAFE.
- Athlete Ally Day Information Booth, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 2, NUC, second floor: Visit the booth in the NUC to discuss issues facing the LGBTQ Community with athletes and other students.
A general information booth will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday of Ally Week in NUC, providing general information about LGBTQ equality.
All Ally Week events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact SAFE faculty adviser David Macey, Ph.D., at dmacey@uco.edu.
Published - The Gayly, 3/27/14 @ 2pm