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By Savanna Yelling
蜜柚视频鈥檚 LGBTQ Center and the Office for Equity and Inclusion hosted the annual Rainbow Breakfast and award ceremony on Oct. 13 in Alumni Hall.
鈥淏eing out and proud is something that everyone should be able to do,鈥 said Dustin 鈥淒usty鈥 Rader, the interim coordinator of the LGBTQ Center and a Women鈥檚, Gender and Sexuality Studies professor.
With 175 registrations, the Rainbow Breakfast had a substantial turnout.
Keynote speaker, Connecticut State Representative Dominique Johnson, shared her journey as the first out genderqueer legislator in the state.
鈥淚鈥檓 not going to be the last and that鈥檚 what鈥檚 important,鈥 Johnson said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 see any queer politicians. I started out as an activist.鈥
Johnson said she could see herself in the Central students attending the breakfast and encouraged them to keep up their work.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e blazing a trail,鈥 Johnson said. 鈥淲e need you to step up in any way you want, and we鈥檒l be here for you. We need you at the table with us.鈥
Two Central students 鈥 Emma Costa and Monica Oquendo 鈥 were awarded the Richard S. Spada and Robert G. Childers scholarship. This scholarship awards students who are members of the LGBTQ community for overcoming adversity and exhibiting leadership.
Mick D鈥橝rcy, women鈥檚 soccer coach, was honored with the first Rainbow Award.
鈥淭o say that I鈥檓 humbled to be up here is an understatement,鈥 said D鈥橝rcy, who was nominated by his players for his allyship.
Nova LaPointe, Pride Club president, also received a Rainbow Award.
鈥淪he鈥檚 always ready to throw her whole self at a problem,鈥 Cody Cody, past Rainbow Award recipient said of LaPointe. Cody emphasized LaPointe鈥檚 selflessness and unconditional support towards LGBTQ students on campus.
Dr. Joanne DiPlacido, psychological science professor, was honored with the surprise Lifetime Advocacy Award.
DiPlacido who is approaching retirement, said departing from the university is bittersweet for her.
鈥淚 was embraced as an out lesbian from the very beginning,鈥 DiPlacido said. 鈥淭hey (Central) hired me when other universities wouldn't hire me.鈥
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