Reflecting on Urvashi Vaid Presentaion

1. What were your expectations prior to attending this event?  What did you know about the topic before you attended the event? 

My expectation before attending Urvashi Vaid’s presentation on “Winning Marriage and More: Emerging challenges for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality” was that this event will increase my knowledge and understanding of the dynamic problems faced by the LGBT community.

2. How was the information presented?  Did the information presented at the event differ in any way from what you had learned or believed in the past?  How?

The presentation was presented in a more relaxed atmosphere (at one of the SCSU auditorium) beginning with the biography and introduction of the guest speaker by the chairperson of the SCSU Women Studies Program. The speaker’s choice of words was easy to understand. The information learned at this event was an eye opener. It’s a total reflection of the ambivalence faced by the LGBT community. In fact, I have never thought the LGBT movement is all about social justice, gender equality and religion liberty. More surprisingly, I never knew that gay marriage is legal in six States. I only knew about California and the Proposition 8 repeal. Don’t laugh at me for not so current!

3. What was one thing that you learned from this event that you did not know, or had never heard, before?

As mentioned above, I never new gay marriage is legal in six States. I know marriage has not been achieved in the State of Minnesota.

4. Did the personal, professional, or academic background make the speaker an authority on the topic?  Why or why not?

Yes. The speaker’s personal, professional and academic background has put her in good steed on the topic. She deliberated on the topic so well, touching on some key areas such as: backing her talk with first amendment, challenges faced the LGBT community towards achieving marriage status, optimism of LGBT growing government policies, opinion shift to tolerance, and criticism of the Williams Institute of Law’s statistics of on same-sex poverty rate. In addition, the speaker responded to all questions asked with good judgment.

5. What can you take away with this presentation to assist you in your Alternative Viewpoints Paper?

Honestly, this presentation has broadened my knowledge about issues and challenges facing the LGBT community, which I will be incorporating into my Alternative Viewpoint s Paper.

6. (If this took place): If someone in the class had the opportunity to ask a question, how did the speaker respond?  Was their answer satisfactory to you?  Why or why not? 

Yes. I had the opportunity to ask the speaker a question and I quote:”During your presentation you mentioned that you are concerned about the worries and argument of the traditional heterosexual people. Why this feeling or could you elaborate further on this”?

The speaker responded to my question honestly. She believed that that the heterosexual people are part of her world. Therefore, their feelings or worries should be respected. However, she maintained that no one should be treated unjust due to his or her sexual orientation or gender differences.