UConn Students Rally To Protest Vandalism of Art Exhibit

In response to the vandalism of an art exhibit featuring the faces and voices of young people in the LGBTQ community, hundreds of UConn students reportedly attended a rally on campus Tuesday to show their support of the exhibit.

The exhibit “Speaking OUT: Queer Youth In Focus” that was developed by Philadelphia artist Rachelle Lee Smith was found damaged on March 6 with disparaging remarks and drawings of penises, according to The Daily Campus. The vandalism occurred a one floor away from the LGBTQ campus community’s safe space, the Rainbow Center.

Michelle Ma, a representative for UConn Speak OUT, wrote to NBC Connecticut on Monday, “Despite being listed time and time again among the top 100 gay-friendly universities, discrimination is still a harsh reality for students of many different gender alignments and sexuality.”

On their Facebook page, Speak OUT wrote, “Join us in coming together as a community to end hate on campus. Whether you identify in the community or as an ally (supporter of the LGBTQ community), we need your help to stop this hate and come together as a university.”

UConn President Susan Herbst and Fleurette King, director of the Rainbow Center, said that they stand support the students, according to NBC Connecticut.

The incident is being investigated by the UConn Police Department.

The Daily Campus article can be found here.

The NBC Connecticut article can be found here.

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