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Friday, October 4, 2013

OSU student paper prints multicultural LGBT story next to crime reports

Barometer print layout Police Beat next to Bowling for Sol LGBT Oct. 4, 2013

PHOTO: The OSU student newspaper printed the "Police Beat" list of crimes reported on campus next to a story bout the Sol LGBT student group by Kaitlyn Kohlenberg, "Bowling with SOL, Multicultural LGBTQ group on campus hosts bowling night Thursday in MU basement," Barometer, Oct, 4, 2013, p. 2. I am sure this layout was done unintentionally in the deadline rush to press, but nonetheless it is deeply ironic given to the history of people in America, especially non-white people, who have a minority sexual orientation or gender identity being defined as criminals or dismissed as psychiatric cases. Fighting to overcome these negative stereotypes was a key strategy of early gay rights leaders. The above story is an example of the progress achieved over the last century because the biggest issue today appears to be how student groups can be more inclusive of people from all backgrounds. The editorial board is clearly sensitive to the meaning of this popular section (See Editorial, "Why we have a police beat," dailybarometer.com posted Sep. 29, 2013.)