Casey Sprock ’86 knows the feeling of loneliness and confusion that many young gay and lesbian students feel as they struggle with their sexuality — often times keeping it a secret.
So when Sprock was invited to share his coming out story and experience as an openly-gay professional with Colgate students, he jumped at the opportunity.
“To see the openness on campus is great,” said Sprock, an attorney and adjunct law professor at Syracuse University.
Sprock is one of an increasing number of Colgate alumni lending their voices to the efforts of Colgate’s LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) community.
During last month’s Big Gay Weekend, he led a discussion about people who are treated unfairly under the law because of arbitrary characteristics such as sexual orientation or gender identity.
While on campus, Sprock noted the increased awareness: “Colgate has always been a tolerant place, and today it is so much safer and welcoming to be out on campus.”
Big Gay Weekend, now in its third year, is a series of workshops and social events connecting Colgate’s LGBTQ students and their supporters.
The weekend conference is gaining momentum, drawing in students from more than a dozen campuses across New York and neighboring states.
For Joe Madres ’08, the increased visibility is the culmination of his four years volunteering with the Office of LGBTQ Initiatives and Advocates, a gay-straight alliance.
“Finding acceptance is not always easy,” Madres said, “but you have to take on what you believe in.”
Madres was recently recognized for his activism at Colgate’s Lavender Graduation, a ceremony honoring LGBTQ students.
“I think it is important to celebrate the contributions gay students have made to Colgate and the courage and commitment it takes to come out as an LGBTQ person,” he said.
Those efforts appear to be paying off.
Since 2003, the number of Colgate students who openly identify as LGBTQ has dramatically increased, according to Emily Blake, assistant director for student life and academic LGBTQ initiatives.
“The work of our dedicated students and alumni has created a friendlier, caring community,” said Blake. “There is definitely a sense of change here at Colgate.”