PRIDE co-presidents Warren and Ewing
“The biggest challenge that I have with PRIDE is making people realize that you don’t have to be gay in order to join this organization,” said sophomore co-PRIDE president, Kayla Warren.
Warren was nominated as a co-president the spring semester of 2009, and works alongside the other co-president, sophomore Rico Ewing.
PRIDE’s mission is to educate and provide a place for everyone to be who they are without prejudice.
Warren said one of her responsibilities entails being in charge of PRIDE events on campus.
“I allocate money, making sure that the organization follows rules and regulations, as well as making sure we follow our mission statement,” Warren said.
Warren said that, as a co-president of PRIDE, the organization has given her experience dealing with responsibility and professionalism.
Ewing also said that as a co-president of PRIDE he has learned how to balance his extracurricular activities.
“As co-president [of PRIDE], I have had to figure out how to program and schedule events on behalf of the group,” Ewing said. “I have learned how much work goes on behind the scenes of campus events and RSO meetings.”
Both presidents, personally spread the message of the PRIDE organization in various ways.
“I am gay, therefore, I advocate for gay rights, as well as recruit allies to join our association and educate others to do the same,” Warren said.
Ewing said he lives by “The Golden Rule,” and strives to educate himself and those around him.
“I keep an open mind and I have a positive attitude towards people’s differences and lead by example,” Ewing said.
Warren and Ewing express their concern as being members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and clarify the struggles they face.
“I think members of the LGBT community have a more difficult time fitting in with society because we are denied basic rights, such as marriage, and therefore that separates us from everyone else,” Warren said.
Ewing said that members of the LGBT community deal with difficult issues more so than non-members.
“In some cases, gay men and women will be cast out of their family environment, but they will find support from the LGBT community and build a new family comprised of close friends,” Ewing said.
Both presidents said PRIDE is more than just a club; they relay the message that it is ok to be different and that your sexuality is a piece of who you are, despite the challenges you face.
“Even though [your sexuality] may have greatly influenced who you are as a person, you should strive to be defined by the choices you make and the actions you take,” Ewing said.
Warren and Ewing explained the events that have been planned for next year and how they will put into effect the message of PRIDE, and why it’s important to be involved in the association.
“We are planning on having another drag show,” Warren said. “We will also be discussing other hot topics that correspond with the club’s meaning.”
Ewing said PRIDE would like to participate in the needs of the Metropolitan Community, in addition to the involvement on campus.
“Proposals have been made to get involved with the Damien Center [AIDS and HIV prevention and care center] and organizing peaceful protests in greater Indianapolis,” Ewing said.
