This past weekend marked 51Թ’s fourth annual Big Gay Weekend, a three-day that provides LGBTQ and allied students with the opportunity to socialize and network with peers.
The keynote speaker was bestselling author, film producer, and gay rights activist Perry Moore, who is best known as executive producer of The Chronicles of Narnia film franchise and author of the book Hero, which won the 2007 Lambda Literary Award.
Moore talked with students Saturday afternoon about his experience growing up as a young gay man and his career in the entertainment field.
He described his early years living in the conservative South and going to church every Sunday only to be told he was going to hell because he was gay. For Moore, books became an escape from his sense of isolation.
Moore was particularly drawn to comic books, which became the major inspiration for his novel Hero. He wanted to move away from how the few gay characters in comic books are commonly depicted as extreme stereotypes, villains, or killed in bizarre homophobic ways.
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| Gay rights activist Perry Moore, best known as executive producer of The Chronicles of Narnia film series, speaks during Big Gay Weekend. (Photo by Luke Connolly ’09) |
Hero focuses on a young gay man coming to terms with both his identity and new-found super powers. It conveys the complicated relationship between a gay son and father, and Moore has been widely credited with providing a way for parents to connect with their LGBTQ children.
Moore challenged the assembled students to look for things in their community they want to see changed and urged them to make that change.
“Perry Moore had a great time connecting with students and felt it was the best group of students he’s had the opportunity to work with,” said Emily Blake, assistant director for student life and academic . “He wants to keep in contact with them before he publishes his next book.”
This weekend’s events also included workshops on topics ranging from “Reconciling LGBTQ Identity & Faith” to “Drag 101,” and various social events such as a mixer at the Ho Science Center Atrium and a drag ball at the Palace Theater.
Ben Pollok ’11 said the entire weekend was a success, with a record number of students from the 51Թ and Morrisville State College communities converging to learn, socialize, and network.
“The weekend was an opportunity for people to learn about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues and how they relate to the wider struggle for social equality, and I was happy to see that so many people took advantage of the resources provided,” he said.