Hunter Library Digital Collections (Western Carolina University)
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Interview with Lyd Shelley
No full textLyd Shelley is bisexual and uses the he, she, they pronouns interchangeably. She grew up in Asheville and coming to Western soon after the 2016 election felt more conservative to her than her high school experience. Shelly discusses her time at Western as it compares to her current schooling in Chapel Hill at the North Carolina School of Law. She discusses coming out to her family, and her choice of when to come out in classroom situations
Have an irie Christmas
No full textThe December 4, 1986 issue of the Western Carolinian includes an editorial by Editor-in-chief Andrew Dawkins titled “Have an irie Christmas.” Dawkins shares that he was surprised at the amount of energy students spent on arguing for or against Lavender Bridges. He says he was just trying to “get people to see each other as people.” In contrast to the pouring in of letters over Lavender Bridges, he was disappointed that not one letter came in after the article regarding WCU’s admission standards. Lavender Bridges, an anonymously founded student organization open to all individuals, aimed to promote awareness of lesbian and gay lifestyle, provide lesbian and gay resources, and increase communication with all students and community members. The first organizational meeting took place October 10, 1985 and was officially recognized by the office of Student Development on December 13, 1985. The last mention of the group appeared in the October 10, 1991 issue of the Western Carolinian.iwtn— wnimwni—^www*—*wwww^i
Editor's Notebook
Andrew
Dawk ins
Editor in
riSVG
r\ if ft?
Christmas
I
My original column for this last Issue of the
newspaper concerned Itself with a
light-hearted retrospective of the semester
about to end. I chit chatted about how quickly
time was flying by and how I was feeling
about Christmas, among other things.
However, while working on the article
about Black enrollment here at Western, I
f realized that there was a thing or two that
I merited, very strongly merited my
commentary. Despite the fact that the
semester was a decent one, there are some
things I'm not very satisfied with. My grades
I are one of these things, but 1 won't go Into that
right now.
I am disappointed that one of my
expectations and dreams for the paper never
really materialized this semester. Im quick to
take blame myself for my own shortcomings.
But in certain instances the situation wasn't all
my fault or my staffs. I had hoped that the
paper would become a forum for debate, a
place where divergent views would be
expressed (and again I use the tired word *
responsibly). I had hoped that issues would
be raised, attacked, supported, examined
with vigor on the pages of The Western
Carolinian, And that people - students, faculty
and staff • would come away from reading the
paper with a better understanding of each
pother as well as themselves*
We came the closest to achieving this in
the controversy generated by my Lavender
Bridges interview. Sure it was interesting
getting letters arguing both sides of this issue.
But only for a while. I never anticipated the
energy that would flow from my rather
amateur attempt to get people to see each
other as people and not as freaks because of
one facet of their overall behavior.
Homophobia runs rampant here it would
appear.
Uke I said, after a while I honestly got tired
of getting letters to the editor on the issue. It
seemed as if we had become stuck in a rut we
didn't want to get out of. When some clowns
sent in an unsigned letter questioning my
motives for printing letters without names end
questioning my own sexuality I decided I had
had enough.
My hope was that for a few weeks we'd
examine this issue then move on to something
else. My biggest disappointment came when
no one, not a single solitary person
responded to the issue raised by Erin Millner In
the article she wrote on WCU's admission
standards. This was printed in Thursday,
October 3Q's issue of the paper. No one wrote
a letter in to respond to something that should
be of utmost Importance to a college
community. *
Oh, we heard people say: "It was a good
article," and "It was a good Issue/' That was
nice to hear, so please don't get me wrong.
But the give and take I, we had anticipated
just did not materialize. Sheesh!
I'M not saying we were trying to dg up
dirt, but a healthy examination of the issue
would have been welcomed,
ft makes me wonder if It is only the mention of
differences In sexual orientations and
preferences that will stir Cullowheans to
comment. Educational matters probably
don't mean horsefeathers to anyone around
here. Are we too caught up In our own little
sole, cozy world's to venture out and really
interact for the betterment of each other?
Christ man, say something! Next semester,
folks, let's really talk, okay! Have a irle
Christmas and fek care a oonu selves.
N.B. Many, monythanksto Professor Neff Hoitzclaw of the
English department for her invaluable help on so many
occasions this semester, Welookfo^vvoidtov^rkingeven
more dosefy vt$ft her next semester
Correction: The following was
misrepresented in the SGA Presidents column of
November 20. The line should have read: As for the
campaign promises that I staked my re-election on,
the lines of communication are being opened by
degrees and I hope to have something positive to
relate to you later.
Apologies to Cliff Clark
Lavender Bridges, the inside story
No full textThis September 19, 1985 article in the Western Carolinian explains what Lavender Bridges is, what needs to happen to get it recognized as a student organization, and what its founders hope to accomplish. Lavender Bridges, an anonymously founded student organization open to all individuals, aimed to promote awareness of lesbian and gay lifestyle, provide lesbian and gay resources, and increase communication with all students and community members. The first organizational meeting took place October 10, 1985 and was officially recognized by the office of Student Development on December 13, 1985. The last mention of the group appeared in the October 10, 1991 issue of the Western Carolinian.university.
LAVENDER BRIDGES
THE INSIDE STORY
by Sandy Davis
STAFF REPORTER
It was such a strange feeling. Sitting in a well
known spot on campus, sipping a coke, two
anonymous people taking about the latest
controversal issue.
That's what Lavender Bridges is all about,
Controversay. Isn't it? Lavender Bridges has people
all over campus talking, whispering, and wondering:
Who are these people and what are they trying to do?
Tvyo facts: First, WCU is one of the last college
campuses in North Carolina to have a gay
organization. Second, 10% of the WCU campus is
homosexual. That means approximately 600
students. And that is a conservative figure. 600
students is hardly a minority.
"Small groups of responsible students seeking
to form a lesbian and gay organization at WCU" is
how the ad ran. Most people have seen the ad, or
have at least heard about it, and yes, it is for real!
The creators of Lavender Bridges agreed to this
interview with the Western Carolinain because they
felt coverage in the campus newspaper would give
students a positive attitude about the group; to let
students be aware that it is indeed a serious
organization. This exclusive is strickly an objective
view of what Lavender Bridges is about, the goals
and purposes and the why's and how's that everyone
over campus is asking about.
In order for Lavender Bridges to become an
offically "recognized" group on campus, several
criteria must be met, at least fifteen people must
become members. These people will need a faculty
advisor and officers and representatives will have to
be chosen. Since the membership list is open to the
public, fifteen people must be willing to put their
names down on the list.
The leaders of Lavender Bridges have met with
Student Development, Dr. Stillion, and Dean Mann
have have their go-ahead to form. The
administration feels it would be a violation of student
rights not to allow such a group to form. The Student
Government Association isto helpfinancethem next
year, but they are currently looking for aid from
lesbian and gay organizations and communities.
Lavender Bridges currently has advisors from the
faculty but are seeking two female advisors who
would bewillingtosupportthegroupand whoare not
necessarily homosexual.
The main objective of Lavender Bridges is to
become "a visible landmark on campus", to let the
campus community and the area as a whole know
that lesbians and gays do exist . Other goals
include:
*to bea social and emotional support system for
homosexuals.
*to promote a feeling of unity and self-
affirmation
*to provide education and awareness for
lesbians and gays in order to facilitate growth in
individual relationships and attitudes
*to work toward achieving a more favorable
relationship with the genera,! population, and
*to provide a safe, positive, and alternative
environment for lesbians and gays who seek to relate
to others with common issues and interests.
It was stressed in this interview that no pressure
will be involved for those who join. Individual
members do only what they can handle; no public
announcements will be made. It wasalso mentioned
that the group is not: a radical or political group, a
dating service, a sexual liason, a counseling or
intervention group or a means to identify faculty,
staff or students as lesbians or gay.
Any support is welcomed. Lavender Bridges is
open to everyone-homosexual, or not-who is, willing
or interested in supporting them
Letters to the editor by David McCarty and Mike Clark
No full textThese October 2, 1986 letters to the editor included in the Western Carolinian are by David McCarty, in response to the September 18 interview with the founder of Lavender Bridges, and Mike Clark, operator of Cullowhee Quik-Stop, with concerns over why the paper includes Lavender Bridges advertisements. Lavender Bridges, an anonymously founded student organization open to all individuals, aimed to promote awareness of lesbian and gay lifestyle, provide lesbian and gay resources, and increase communication with all students and community members. The first organizational meeting took place October 10, 1985 and was officially recognized by the office of Student Development on December 13, 1985. The last mention of the group appeared in the October 10, 1991 issue of the Western Carolinian.Our Choice
Dear Editor,
I would like to write in
response to the interview with
Chris, the founder of Lavender
Bridges. I can identify with much
that she reveals about her
background, i.e. raised in a moral,
religious home with fundamental
beliefs, etc. In 1980, upon
returning to Indiana University my
sophomore year, I openly rejected
these long held values and went
my own way. I too felt ostracized,
an outsider in my own home,
content in my rebellion, "free"
from former constraints. Over a
period of time, I found that my
"freedom" was in reality bondage -
slavery to my own personal whims,
desires, and passions. That, is
truly hell. Yet, I have since found
that Christ provides the way to be
truly free.
I question the article's
assumption that people are born
gay, like it or not. Everyone is
partially who they are because of
experiences very early in life, as
well as heredity and relationships.
But we all have a will, the power of
choice. Someone tempted to steal
isn't a thief until he / she chooses
to give in to his / her desire to steal
Likewise, a homosexual is not
someone with a strong attraction
for the same sex, but one who has
made the decision to yield himself
/ herself to these desires. A gay is
therefore homosexual by choice,
not fate, regardless of their
predisposition to such. Only Christ
gives us the power to choose
rightly. In his word, the Bible,
homosexuality is clearly
condemned in both Old Testament
and New.
God is not a kill-joy trying to
prevent us from having fun. He
wants us to get the maximum out of
life. Since he has the "patent on
the human race," he knows how we
work best and wants a real
relationship with us. When we
choose ways other than his, we
cannot expect happiness or
fulfillment, only cheap
counterfeits.
I am not perfect. I struggle
daily with my own tendencies to
sin. I am not better than
homosexuals. Let*us not delude
ourselves however by tickling our
ears with what we want to hear and
believe. We are all responsible for
the choices we make in life.
Sincerely,
David McCarty —^^/^^^
Student
Upset With
You
To the Editor,
I operate the Cullowhee Quik-
Stop convenience store, and for
the past five years I have welcomed
the opportunity to distribute the
Western Carolinian. But as long as
you continue to advertise for and
seemingly endorse this Lavendar
Bridges organization, I don't even
want to see your paper, much less
distribute it.
It's bad enough to have to face
the fact that there are people this
sick running around loose in
Cullowhee, but it's even worse to
see people endorse and encourage
them.
I know that many of the
students are angry at your
promotion of this organization, and
I know that most all of the local
people feel that the gay lifestyle is
not only abnormal but also illegal
and immoral and certainly not
something they want their children
exposed to in any manner.
I feel you are doing a real
disservice to the community by
promoting this group, and you're
doing an even greater disservice to
the majority of the student body by
calling your newspaper the "Voice
of the Students" and openly
endorsing the acceptance of this
organization.
Sincerely,
Mike Clark
Editor's Note:
Lavender Bridges is an
officially recognized student
organization, and, as such, is
allowed to advertise in the student
newspaper.
Publication of articles about
the organization on the pages of
the student newspaper is in no way
an endorsement of the
organization by the newspaper or
its Editor-in-Chief. These articles
were done simply in the interest of
passing on information
Announcement for Lavender Bridges
No full textThis announcement for Lavender Bridges appears in the Classified and Announcement section of the November 14, 1985 issue of the Western Carolinian. Lavender Bridges, an anonymously founded student organization open to all individuals, aimed to promote awareness of lesbian and gay lifestyle, provide lesbian and gay resources, and increase communication with all students and community members. The first organizational meeting took place October 10, 1985 and was officially recognized by the office of Student Development on December 13, 1985. The last mention of the group appeared in the October 10, 1991 issue of the Western Carolinian.Lavender Bridges — a student
organization for lesbians and gays
and for those who share interests
and concerns with the lesbian/gay community. For more
information write to: P.O. Box 2646,
Cullowhee, NC 2872
Announcement for first organizational meeting of Lavender Bridges
No full textThe October 3, 1985 Classifieds & Announcements section of the Western Carolinian includes this notice for the first organizational meeting of Lavender Bridges on October 10. A similar announcement was included in this issue as a paid advertisement. Lavender Bridges, an anonymously founded student organization open to all individuals, aimed to promote awareness of lesbian and gay lifestyle, provide lesbian and gay resources, and increase communication with all students and community members. The organization was officially recognized by the office of Student Development on December 13, 1985. The last mention of the group appeared in 1991.Lavender Bridges
FIRST ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
October 10, 1985
7PM
For more information about the
group write to:
POB 2646
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Lesbian & gay rap group
No full textThis meeting notice for the Lesbian and Gay Rap Group appears in the September 11 and September 18, 1986 issues of the Western Carolinian. The Rap Group existed alongside Lavender Bridges and was geared toward emotional support for lesbians and gay men. The notice states they will meet on Wednesdays and provides a PO box to write to for more information. Lavender Bridges, an anonymously founded student organization open to all individuals, aimed to promote awareness of lesbian and gay lifestyle, provide lesbian and gay resources, and increase communication with all students and community members. The first organizational meeting took place October 10, 1985 and was officially recognized by the office of Student Development on December 13, 1985. The last mention of the group appeared in the October 10, 1991 issue of the Western Carolinian.NEED TO TALK ABOUT BEING
GAY?
TIRED OF HOMOPHOBIA?
WANT TO SHARE IDEAS ABOUT
GAY LIFESTYLE IN A SAFE,
POSITIVE SETTING?
TIRED OF TRYING TO HANDLE IT
ALONE?
HAVING PROBLEMS IN YOUR
RELATIONSHIP?
NEED SOME ANSWERS?
Lesbian &
Gay Rap
Group
Meetings Every Wednesday Rom
6pm to 730pm. For More Info, Write
To: P.O. Box 2646 Oullowhee, NO
2872
Jail break in Bryson City
No full textThis image showing a crowd looking at sheets tied together hanging out of the window after a jail break in Bryson City was taken by “Doc” Kelly Bennett (1890-1974). Bennett was a prominent pharmacist in Swain County, NC. Owner of the Bryson City Drug Company, Bennett served as alderman and mayor of Bryson City, on the Swain County Board of Education, as well as several terms as NC State Senator and NC State Representative. He participated in numerous other initiatives and organizations. Known as the “Apostle of the Smokies,” Bennett was an instrumental figure in the movement to create the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was also an avid photographer, skillfully documenting a wide variety of people, places, and events in Swain County and the surrounding area
Jail break in Bryson City
No full textThis image showing sheets tied together hanging out of the window after a jail break in Bryson City was taken by “Doc” Kelly Bennett (1890-1974). Bennett was a prominent pharmacist in Swain County, NC. Owner of the Bryson City Drug Company, Bennett served as alderman and mayor of Bryson City, on the Swain County Board of Education, as well as several terms as NC State Senator and NC State Representative. He participated in numerous other initiatives and organizations. Known as the “Apostle of the Smokies,” Bennett was an instrumental figure in the movement to create the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was also an avid photographer, skillfully documenting a wide variety of people, places, and events in Swain County and the surrounding area
Everett Street bridge event in Bryson City
No full textThis image showing a crowd gathered at Everett Street bridge in Bryson City was taken by “Doc” Kelly Bennett (1890-1974). Bennett was a prominent pharmacist in Swain County, NC. Owner of the Bryson City Drug Company, Bennett served as alderman and mayor of Bryson City, on the Swain County Board of Education, as well as several terms as NC State Senator and NC State Representative. He participated in numerous other initiatives and organizations. Known as the “Apostle of the Smokies,” Bennett was an instrumental figure in the movement to create the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He was also an avid photographer, skillfully documenting a wide variety of people, places, and events in Swain County and the surrounding area