Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Questions for Rex Lee?


Hey all!

Do you have any questions for Rex Lee related to his sexual orientation, the LGBTQ community, and how it has affected his career as an actor? Any other questions on your mind?

PAC and the LGBTQ Center are looking for student questions for a Q&A during the Rex Lee event, which takes place tomorrow at 7 p.m. in TUC's Great Hall.

For more information, see yesterday's blog post or check out the Facebook event here.

Send your questions to our program director Leisan Smith at smiln@ucmail.uc.edu!

-Ben
Social Media Intern

Monday, February 27, 2012

Rex Lee


Did you know that PAC and the LGBTQ Center are bringing Entourage's Rex Lee to UC?

For those of you unfamiliar with Rex Lee, he is an openly gay Asian-American actor who graduated from Oberlin Conservatory of Music here in Ohio. He came out to his parents when he was 22; his mother kicked him out of the family home, which would be the start of an 11 year estrangement from his family.

Rex Lee found fame in the HBO comedy series Entourage, where he played Lloyd Lee, the gay Chinese-American assistant to Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven). His character was on the receiving end of many jokes about his sexuality and race.

Rex Lee admitted that there were also occasional jokes aimed at his sexuality and ethnicity from members of the crew behind-the-scenes. "I try not to let it bother me," he told TMZ in 2009. Being a minority due to both his race and sexual orientation, Rex Lee is a Hollywood anomaly.

These days, Rex Lee stars in the new ABC sitcom Suburgatory; his character Mr. Wolfe recently came out to the entire student body in the cafeteria. He doesn't mind playing another gay role: "When I was first coming out, all my friends told me I couldn't pass for straight or bi so I shouldn't even bother trying. So I didn't bother trying."

Come to the Rex Lee event at 7p.m. this Wednesday, 29 February in TUC's Great Hall!
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/215659801851355/

XOXO

–Ben
Social Media Intern

Friday, February 17, 2012


Are you coming to the LGBTQ Center's "Coming Out" Open House next Thursday?!

The University of Cincinnati LGBTQ Center has come a long way in the past few years. Four years ago, there was no LGBTQ Center, and the LGBTQ community found its place and resources with the remarkable staff at the UC Women’s Center.  However, once the physical space of the LGBTQ Center was established, the running joke was that "we were in the closet."  Now the LGBTQ Center is finally "coming out" — and this has all happened within the past two years!

The LGBTQ Center is incredibly grateful for all of the support from faculty and students. To celebrate this milestone, we are holding a "Coming Out" Open House in the new space located in 565 Steger. At the Open House, you'll be able to see the new location, hear more about the LGBTQ Center's history, find out more about the resources and programs available, and listen to some great speakers.

The "Coming Out" Open House is will be held on February 23rd from 5 to 7 p.m. in 565 Steger. The program will start at 5:30 p.m. For more information, please contact B Carbonara at carbonby@mail.uc.edu. To RSVP, please send confirmation to UC.LGBTQ.Center@gmail.com.

A link to the event on Facebook can be found here.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

There are two types of people in this world — those who are happy on Valentine's Day, and those who wallow in their misery. But secretly, you don't have to be in a relationship to be happy on Valentine's Day. Today, take the opportunity to share your love with everyone! Let your friends, family, and loved ones know exactly how important they are to you.

In the LGBTQ community, I think Valentine's Day is especially important as we are overwhelmed with a heteronormative notion of love. True, it is harder to find love as an LGBTQ individual, but do not let love define you. On Valentine's Day, take the time to love and appreciate yourself. Embrace yourself for everything you are, whether that may be all your talents or even all your flaws. 

I like to think of Valentine's Day as a second installment of Thanksgiving. Take the time to be grateful for life and its blessings. The University of Cincinnati LGBTQ Center is grateful for its new space (565 Steger), and we appreciate everybody who has helped us get to this point. We love all of our staff, volunteers, and all of the great people who frequent our Center.

The LGBTQ community has many things to be appreciative of. Last year, New York legalized same-sex marriage. The repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell went into effect. Yesterday, Washington became the 7th state to achieve marriage equality, and New Jersey's Senate approved a bill that would allow same-sex nuptials. Here in Cincinnati, City Councilmember Chris Seelbach became our first openly gay elected official.

Just like Valentine's Day, the world isn't all roses, and nobody knows that better than the LGBTQ community. But on this day, we should pay no mind to the hatred, and spread the L-U-V. Whether you're single, in a relationship, or "it's complicated," have a magnificent day!

XOXO

—Ben
Social Media Intern

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Welcome!

Welcome to the UC LGBTQ Center's new blog!

The LGBTQ Center supports students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgener, queer, intersex, or those who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. We also love our allies!

To accompany our brand new space (565 Steger Student Life Center), we're branching out even further into social media. If you don't already like our Facebook page, go do that now! Follow us on Twitter too by heading over to @UC_LGBTQCenter!

—Ben
Social Media Intern