www.fsutorch.com Single Issue Free, Additional Copies 50 Cents Week of April 4 - 10, 2018 HERE’s wHAT’s INSide Ferris State University captain planet can’t save us that time of the year Opinions editor Marley Tucker ex- Learn more about the hip-hop sen- plains why we need to take respon- sation blackbear before his perfor- sibility for the messes we cause mance at this year’s Music Takes TORCH within our environment. Action. Truth, fairness and accuracy since 1931 opinions | Page 7 lifestyles | Page 13 Prideful confessions LGBTQ+ students speak about life on campus Harley Harrison News Editor A month after the open house for the Ferris LGBTQ+ Re- source Center, students of the LGBTQ+ community reflect on their experiences at Ferris. As a bisexual transgender man, Ferris social work senior Connor McGahan has struggled in his time as a Bulldog. “I’ve been hurt by the university because I’ve been hav- ing to advocate for myself and others in the community since I have been here. It’s exhausting constantly having to educate others because Ferris doesn’t value the com- munity,” McGahan said. “I have no problem educating stu- dents, however, I don’t think that the university should be relying on me to be the one to educate their faculty and staff.” While McGahan did acknowledge the significance of the new LGBTQ+ Resource Center, he added that the center came too late for many of the students that needed it. “I hope that Ferris State University understands how im- portant the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and the Coordinator is to the university. I would hate for anyone else to feel like I’ve felt these past six years,” McGahan said. Lucas Gillis, a Ferris advertising and integrated mar- keting communications senior who identifies as a queer transgender man, also describes his time at Ferris to be Photo courtesy of Bill Bitzinger tiresome. The Ferris LGBTQ+ Resource Center held an open house Feb. 28 in which President Eisler was in attendance. “I have had multiple professors openly talk negatively about the LGBTQIA+ community, faculty that have contin- that I have regretted that decision,” Gillis said. advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. ued to misgender me—even after I had legally changed my Gillis has found a great sense of community in his reg- “Fortunately, the professors and staff of the Ferris State name and my gender marker on my state license—and I istered student organizations (RSOs) and other campus campus that I’ve worked with have done a good job of be- have had multiple issues with other students and their organizations, which have helped him to feel safe. ing considerate of the LGBTQ+ community,” Placek said. use of transphobic language. Although these circumstanc- “At the end of the day, it is important to be kind to peo- “Even with that said, it isn’t rare for a professor to say ‘I’m es have allowed me the opportunity to educate and advo- ple no matter their age, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual not sure if this student is a boy or a girl.’ I’m really glad Fer- cate for my community, it is very exhausting,” Gillis said. orientation, gender identity and/or presentation. College ris created the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, because a large While Gillis believes that the LGBTQ+ Resource Center is a time to surround yourself with diversity and recognize majority of the student body and staff at Ferris State need was a great advancement for the university, he feels that its importance in order to become a better person,” Gillis the education that could help them better themselves as the institution should spend more time educating the fac- said. compassionate human beings.” ulty and staff. As a member of the Ferris volleyball team, Ferris psy- Ferris pre-medical sophomore Gerald Murphy identifies “I think a lot of folks here at Ferris are under the impres- chology junior Katie Placek identifies as a bisexual female. sion that people in the transgender community ‘choose’ as a gay male who has also experienced stereotypes at Although she has never felt discriminated against on cam- to not identify as the gender they were assigned at birth. Ferris. pus, she feels that the LGBTQ+ community experiences My gender identity as a transgender man is not a ‘choice.’ “‘He’s so gay so he’s going to try and flirt with me or turn some levels of exclusion. The only ‘choice’ I have ever made when it came to my me gay’. That is a stereotype I feel victimized by because Placek notes that her short hair and multiple tattoos gender identity was the day I officially decided that I would I don’t try to make people feel uncomfortable and I would often prompt comments and questions from others. She no longer live a lie to the outside world. I chose to be out explained that she thought Ferris could do a better job for and proud about who I am and there has never been a day Pride| See page 3 Got news? Let us know. Like us on facebook Follow us on Twitter Add us on instagram Watch us on youtube Email: [email protected] Ferris state Torch @fsutorch fsutorch Fsu Torch Phone: 231.591.5978 Connect with us on social media - Read articles online at www.fsutorch.com 2 News Week of April 4 - 10, 2018 Ferris State Torch “I’m here because I don’t want to be afraid on campus. I don’t want to have the fear NEWS that I’ll get shot.” - Elizabeth Tatum - See page 4 for story Harley Harrison | News Editor | [email protected] Whatever floats your vote Multiple Michigan government seats open Megan Lewton to politics at a local level. Walk-ins Torch Reporter “My studies do not allow much time for The results of the primary election my involvement in this summer and the general election politics. However, I this fall may vastly change the current do try my best to stay state of Michigan politics. on top of what is oc- In 2018, Michigan residents will be curring at a national welcome voting to fill more than 180 state gov- level,” Bell said. ernment positions. According to a docu- Bell also said she ment published by the Michigan Secre- Amy thinks more students Bell tary of State, the openings range from should vote. national positions, like one U.S. Senator “I believe that Mil- seat and 14 U.S. Representative seats, lennial involvement in elections is very to state positions, such as State Sen- important. I believe that it is a privilege ator and State Representative seats and an American citizen’s duty to vote,” open for all districts. Bell said. The state primary election will take But perhaps the most interesting place Aug. 7, 2018, and the winning vote this upcoming year will be the gu- candidates will move onto the state bernatorial election, in which voters will general election Nov. 6, 2018. be able to choose the next governor to Students vary in their participation replace current Governor Rick Snyder. with local and state politics. Ferris Snyder is not eligible for reelection dental hygiene freshman Emily Crow- as he has already served two terms, ley said she is not typically politically but his legacy may reflect the Flint Wa- involved. ter Crisis, according to the Detroit Free “I think it’s important. I just never re- Press. ally know when it’s happening,” Crowley Currently, according to the 2018 said. Michigan Candidate Listing on the De- Photo by: Abbey Good | Multimedia Editor Other students, like Ferris pre-optom- partment of State’s website, there are A new walk-in clinic opened April 2 in the Medical Arts Building at 650 Linden Street. etry junior Amy Bell, try to stay on top of five candidates running for Snyder’s national politics but pay less attention position. New clinic open at Spectrum Health Cora Hall Ferris psychology freshman Bri Billman, who Torch Reporter said that students need a more affordable op- Governor candidate Bios: tion on the weekends. Students and Big Rapids residents now have Ferris social work freshman Megan Boyd a cheaper and more available health care op- agreed with Billman, as she had Bronchitis ear- tion. lier this year and needed care on a weekend Bill Gelineau, Libertarian: Gelineau was elected as Chairman of the Spectrum Health announced in a press and had to go to the emergency room. Curtis Libertarian Party of Michigan in 2003. One of Gelineau’s strongest political release that a walk-in clinic that will be locat- echoed the desire for weekend hours, even if passions is protection of the Fourth Amendment. He also supports the le- ed in the Medical Arts Building, 650 Linden they are limited. galization of marijuana and death with dignity, in which competent adults St., which is adjacent to Big Rapids Hospital, “It would be nice, because can have a say in when and how to die. Website: liberty4gov.org opened April 2. The clinic will treat less serious even though it’s not that seri- health needs and if patients require lab work ous, I still need urgent care,” done or an x-ray, they can access those ser- Boyd said. vices across the street at the emergency room. Students have said they Schuette is Michigan’s 53rd Attorney Gen- Ferris pre-pharmacy sophomore Josie Curtis are happy that the clinic Bill Schuette, Republican: eral. He formed the Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking, through said that the clinic will be nice because it pro- has later hours, especially which he planned to fund the testing of many DNA evidence kits to bring vides care for those with less urgent needs that because of Birkam’s limited justice to sexual assault survivors and hopes to continue working to end sex are often an inconvenience for an emergency hours during the week.