Page 2 Peon $3 2 r wv [| LH] The Lion’s Eye ampus March 30, 2004 | She works to build tolerance toward gays By CHARLOTTE BARR Lion’s Eye staff writer CCB148@psu.edu Nancy Whalen openly admitted to her family that she was a lesbian about five years ago. She says her mother and father were less than thrilled, but accepting. Ever since her early teenage years, her mother pushed her toward wearing makeup and dating boys, for she thought Nancy was too much of a tomboy. In turn, she held a longterm relationship with Mikey, who was more of a best friend, rather than a boyfriend. Shortly thereafter, she came out to her friends. : Since she started school, she has been ambitious to reach out to other gay and bisexual people and answer questions and give advice. In 2001, she became an active member in the Gay Straight Alliance, which she is now the president of. A senior at Penn State Delco, Whalen began her education career in the fall of 2000 as a business major. Her goal is to begin a career in Philadelphia working with pharmaceuticals or mar- keting. As for her long term goals, she hopes to open up her own business. As president of the GSA, Whalen holds meetings each week for people to A course that’s not that hard to defend By CHRISSY GREENAN Lion’s Eye staff writer CMG196@psu.edu Imagine going to class in your sweats, and spending your time throwing and choking your NANCY WHALEN 3 get together and educate one another on the subject. After a while, the turnout was diminishing. "I was disappointed in the fact that I couldn't do more with the GSA on cam- pus due to the lack of interest," she said. Meetings were then closed, and pri- vate office meetings were offered. Whalen dedicated one day a week to fellow classmates, while earning college credit for it. You will also learn grabs, kicks, punches and releases, to name a few. Kinesiology 56, Introduction to Martial Arts is the "Class of the Month." Although it is list ed as a martial arts class, it is actually geared more toward self-defense. Taught by Daniel Doran, the course offers an arrangement of self-defense techniques and information about protecting yourself during an altercation. "l want to teach students how to be aware of their sur- roundings" said Doran, "with everything going on in the world today, you can't be too sure." The course covers informa- tion from safety issues to judo throws. There is also discus- sion on women's safety, date rape, and travel tips. With the variety that the course has to offer, it is suitable for any stu- dent to take, male or female. And unlike most courses, it is an introduction course, so no prior knowledge is required. "It was a good class," said student Christine Seiple. "It taught me different techniques to use if I am ever in a danger- ous situation." Although this class sounds like it is all in fun, the informa- tion taught and learned is very serious. Students will learn how to properly defend themselves, both physically and mentally. There is also a textbook required, which is helpful for the written test. Students are also tested on the techniques learned and a paper about home security. So although this is a unique and enjoyable course, do not assume that it will be a cakewalk. office hours in the Commons Building, where she would spend her time answering any questions students may have about homosexuality. Mostly straight people would ask her questions about homosexuality and tell her about the experiences they have had with gay or bisexual people. At one point, she had created a Web site. The Web site was a tool to enable people to converse with one another. After being unsuccessful, the Web site was canceled. Homosexuality in the classroom has not been a negative issue. Most of the faculty is very accepting, and would ask questions to better their knowledge. "Bringing the issue of homosexuality up within the class has been a mix of - responses,” she said. “Some students laugh, and some share their experi- ences. It's important for people to accept or at least tolerate homosexuals and bisexuals, because you will be work- ing with them someday." The GLBT workshop this week is a large support network that trains peo- ple to help others learn about the issues that occur. Whalen has been working with the Senator of Diversity, Andrew Walter, to set up the GLBT workshop. Among her many contributions, she has been post- ing advertisements and making ribbons for the event. She has been in the process of cre- ating a forum which allows the students in our community to come together and discuss the controversial issues of gay marriages. This will be open to all and run in a professional manner. "Marriage is a word no longer owned by the religious groups,” she said. “They released the 'ownership' of this when they allowed judges to legally marry people. They should have fought this issue earlier and defined marriage as a union instead. If they had done this, then they would have had grounds to consider marriage a religious-only term." Within the next academic year, she plans on dedicating more time to the GSA and educating more people about GLB issues. She does need a vice president, and a few more officers. If anyone is inter- ested, she can be reached at ange- landgypsy@hotmail.com or (610) 331- 5460. Sarah Gallatig, the Lion’s Eye associate editor, works on a defense move during a meeting of Kinesiology 56, Introduction to Martial Arts, March’s Class of the Month.
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