The Natural Gift tion program. She says she has submitted hun­ holidays rolled around, she says she was feeling dreds of class synopses and only has had one increasingly frustrated. denied by the colleges administration in more During a December meeting for the Ameri­ than three years. When she submitted the class can Association of Women in Community Col­ “How to be happy and single in the couples leges, Kenney’s mind was wandering. She wasn’t world” with “How to be happy, single and gay in listening to the speaker at the podium. She was a couples world,” she received a terse written thinking about a meeting she attended earlier in response from an administrator: “Not at this the day in which she heard about the progress time." that Clackamas Community College has made It was a pretty big message, Kenney says. “We in changing the climate for gays on campus. She don’t want your kind. We don’t condone that. was thinking about how far she’d come in her Stay in the closet, don’t talk about it.” life and how much still needed to change at her While the rejection was difficult, Kenney’s college. She was thinking about moving on— resolve to make a difference at her college only about quitting. strengthened. She got involved in the Ameri­ “I was right at the brink of giving up,” Ken­ can Association of Women in Community Col­ ney says. “As much as I love this college, I was leges, helped start a scholarship fund, networked about to give up.” with faculty and administrators around campus But as her attention turned from her internal and became the adviser for the Pride Students’ dialogue to the speaker, she realized the woman’s Alliance, a struggling support group for sexual words sounded familiar: Leadership. Undaunt­ minority students. ed. Struggle. Funny. Gusto. Champion. Most importantly, Kenney started speaking Kenney received the Carolyn Desjardins out. The benefits offered to heterosexual Leadership Award that aftemixin. Her friends, employees exceeded those provided to domestic mentors, protégés and onlookers stood in a partners, so she approached the human thundering ovation. The award—a lavender­ resources department. colored plaque—was inscribed with these words: The college never had offered or required “Because you have inspired, championed and diversity training, so she invited a speaker to celebrated the talents within each of us.” come and talk “It gave me back about issues in the my strength,” Kenney sexual minorities says. “It was a huge sign community. She to go forward.” Pi'ide Students' complained to ad­ Alliance ministrators about anti-gay graffiti on rogress campus left un­ GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, touched. “I refused enney says things TRANSGKNOERED PEOPLES & ALLIES to be shamed,” she are changing at says. the college. All staff But in the midst now receive equal ben­ /| Empowerment of Kenney’s quest to efits across the board. make a real differ­ The college admin­ General Meeting ence, she found istration soon will room 1252 herself faced with begin offering diversity February 15, 2001 «oo» W 1 M serious personal and training. Complaints health problems. about harassment She was diagnosed against sexual minori­ with diabetes and ties are being investi­ then Graves’ dis­ The Pride Students’ Alliance is a growing gated. ease. She almost support group on the Gresham campus Anti-gay graffiti was killed in a car has been removed wreck when she blacked out at the wheel. The from bathroom walls. A safe bathroom has accident left her in a coma with a bruised heart. been designated for trans students. Her 10-year relationship had ended as well. The Pride Students’ Alliance is meeting Kenney says she knew the chain of events regularly and growing in numbers. And the either would send her into a “downturn” or onto college recently sent Kenney to the Oregon a higher road. She had to choose which course Hate Crimes Conference, a gesture that has she’d take; she decided to do something truly meaning to her. “Mount Hood is looking at diversity issues meaningful with her life. Kenney resolved not only that her college at a much deeper level that it has ever before,” must treat all people well but that she needed to she says. “Look at the incredible changes.” But most significant to Kenney is a letter treat herself well first. She started by taking a running class at the college. Within a few sent to all staff from college president Dr. Bill Becker denouncing harassment against any spe­ months, she was running the Portland cific group—including gay, lesbian, bisexual and Marathon and had dropped 80 pounds. transgendered people. “You can imagine how traumatic this is for those targeted by such a he sign message,” he wrote. “We at Mount Hood Com­ munity College do not tolerate any behavior hen Measure 9 successfully qualified for that attacks a specific group or person.” the November 2000 ballot, Kenney grew The college will have a new president this increasingly frustrated and angry that she didn summer. ’t He already has asked to meet with have the same rights as her own staff. During her Kenney. “For the first time on this campus 1 feel 3 1/2 years at Mount Hood, she says she has wholly supported from the top,” she says. “We worked hard, improved her program by doubling the number of courses offered in the continuing can’t ever go back. We’re moving education program and grown to love the peo­ forward.” jm ple she works with. For more information about the PRIDE But that hasn’t been enough. "I’ve done my job and yet the message I get is, ‘You’re not as S tudents ’ A lliance send e-mail to good as us,’ ” she recalls thinking. “1 was sick of psa_mhcc@yah.oo.com or call 503-491-7428. being treated as a second-class citizen.” JONATHAN K ipp is a Just Out staff reporter Measure 9 failed to pass, but the race was uncomfortably close, Kenney says. When the who can be reached ai jonathan@justout .com. — ■>.. P K I. «ucotion Awareness T W 710 NW 2yd Avenue • 2+5-97+5 ^6^5 St Hawthorne Street • 2%-797¿ Helping You Build Your Financial Future Specializing in financial advice for singles, domestic partners 6 non-traditional couples Financial Advisor 2000 C ircle of C hampions M ember 503.238.6036x107 WADDELL ¿srREED Financial Services* Investing. With a plan? 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