Community Marks Ally Week
“As human beings created in the image and likeness of God, we are all inherently equal.”
Uttered by Charlie Miceli ’15 to a crowd of his peers Wednesday, those words quickly became a thesis statement for Xavier’s Ally Week. Sponsored by the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), the week’s events have offered students, faculty, and staff a public forum to share what it means to be allies to members of the LGBT community. Whether they wrote supportive words on “ally cards,” wore wristbands emblazoned with the words “We Are Allies,” or publicly took a stand against discrimination like Miceli, members of the Xavier community have engaged in a powerful conversation about what we’re called to do as Catholics.
A hallmark of that conversation came just before Miceli’s speech Wednesday, when GSA co-president Luke Meagher ’15 shared his experience of coming out at Xavier in a speech to fellow students. “I found a lot of support here,” Meagher affirmed, urging his peers to be active allies. “You can be lifelines to people. That’s what an ally really is—a lifeline.”
Various students shared their reasons to be allies throughout the week. “We are all human beings, and we all deserve the same rights and treatment,” said Ben Ezquerra ’16 as he manned an ally card table in the cafeteria with his classmate, Justin Westbrook-Lowery ’16. Westbrook-Lowery agreed, urging his peers to work for justice. “It’s not fair how inequalities are allowed to survive, and different justifications are provided for them,” he said.
Xavier President Jack Raslowsky commended student leadership and engagement during Ally Week.
“Ally Week is a reminder of Catholic, Jesuit teachings, which affirm the dignity of each human person,” Mr. Raslowsky said. “It is also a reminder that unjust discrimination in any form is antithetical to the Church’s mission.”
Ally Week activities continue through tomorrow, May 1. Today, Xavier marked a Day of Silence to symbolize the struggle of LGBT individuals who feel silenced in their own lives. Students, faculty, and staff who chose to participate wore black ribbons and remained silent outside of academic classes. Tomorrow, Xavier Chaplain Rev. Ralph Rivera, S.J., will offer a talk about sexual orientation, the Church, and the human person.
“Ally Week is a way to say, ‘This is okay to talk about.’ It’s a way to show our community the importance of being allies,” said science department chair Alex Lavy, co-moderator of the GSA. “We already do this in lots of ways. It’s just more visible this week.”
“There’s been an excitement around the whole week. People want to be a part of it,” Meagher agreed. “This is our shining moment. We’re making a statement that this is an inclusive place.”