Queer Community Struggles in Farmington as National Attacks Persist
April 18, 2023
Arianna Gordon, Contributing Writer
“Are you queer or are you normal?” The UMF population is no stranger to being harassed with these questions by Ed, the local religious extremist, when crossing the street between the campus library and the student center. In recent months more than 100 laws targeting LGBTQ+ communities have been filed across the United States, many of which specifically target transgender people. Six states have outlawed drag shows and “public crossdressing” to some degree since the beginning of 2023. Lawmakers in Kentucky just passed what Harriet Williamson calls the “Worst anti-trans bill in America,” which forces doctors to medically detransition young trans people and requires school districts to form policies that “at a minimum” would prevent trans children from using bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. Combine this with the casual normalcy of homophobia surrounding campus, and it makes for a potentially terrifying situation for queer students who attend the university.
“Visibility is really important,” said Gavin Pickering, a campus counselor and current supervisor for both UMF’s Queer Student Union and the Campus Advocacy Project. “COVID put a halt on all engagement for students. Lots of role models graduated, and I don’t think students really remember what a campus with engagement and involvement can look like.” Due to this, there has been a significant lack of funding, attendance, and therefore meetings for the Queer Student Union - at a time where a lack of queer visibility and support could be detrimental to any student questioning their sexuality or gender identity.
“We used to have many annual events that just don’t happen anymore,” Pickering said. “UMF no longer participates in pride week, and we had to stop our annual Rocky Horror Picture Show performances.” Pickering also said that the previous faculty advisor for the QSU was fired alongside the wave of faculty members who were let go at the end of the spring semester of 2022.
“It can be scary for [LGBTQ+] people. Funding is difficult. Things are said [by Ed], like ‘Queer students are going to hell,’ and while clearly homophobic, there's not necessarily legal action that can be taken to stop it.”
So, what can be done right now to help support the local queer and trans population? What action can allies take, and what can the university offer queer students for support? Pickering offers Safe Zone trainings available to all faculty and staff every semester, but notoriously there is low attendance. Admissions staff member Connor Fahey is currently being trained to offer them in the near future as well, offering even more opportunity to university faculty to attend these trainings. At a time where blatant homophobia and transphobia is becoming increasingly commonplace for the nation, these trainings can be vital for the mental and physical health of UMF’s queer students. Farmington Pride is a community group relatively new to the Franklin County area, having established themselves in summer of last year. Their Facebook page said they are, “Dedicated to bringing queer pride to the people of the Western Mountains,” and they currently have a few hundred followers. Pickering also said that current QSU officers Celia Canavan and Zachary Britton are on the lookout for new officers for the upcoming school year.
“Farmington is full of queer folks that want to show and share support and just don’t know how,” Pickering said. “We support you, we are here for you, we want you to be yourself and love who you are. It is a difficult time to feel safe and comfortable, but that’s part of the story of all those who struggled before us that we’re standing on the shoulders of. Keep fighting, keep resisting. We can still keep fighting.”
