ona, Jly 13. 1998 -Tne Migan Day -3
LGBT
director
brings
rnfresh ideas
By Asia Sherman
F. Frdei Dennis wil sartas the
new di -ctor of the (Juice of Lesbian.
Gay Bisx-ual & Transgender Affairs
tt is mo~1 h
I -;k it's impont for me to let
my actons follow my words. Dennis
said. .I be.iee in certam prtncip es in
human rights and equity, particularl
ith regards to students"
Jim Toy, former co-coordinator of
the LGBT ofice from 1971 to 1994, is
now with the Office of Equity and E. Frederic Dennis begs as the new dire
Di ers v Sr ices. hich recei es & Transgender Affairs this month. The off
complainr' of discrmination and
harassm nt on the basis of se xu on- and supporting programs and events for
entation and gender identity Toy said the LGBT communiny.
he is looking forward to working "We hase a responsibil:ty for out-
closely with his old office. reach into the community at large and
"I think that the calling of Frederic the state:' Dennis said. "There are poli-
ennis and the acceptance of his posi- cies which are made at the state lesel
tion is one of the most significant and national lesel that affect our stu-
events in the history of the office, and dents, and our office has a responsibili-
indeed in the histon of the University, ty to hae an opinion on laws passed
because it is the first time there has which discriminate against LGBT stu-
been a person of color directing the dents, and to adsocate for human
office:' Toy said. -Through his know]- rights."
edge and depth of experience, inter- The LGBT office recently added
personal skills, sensitivity, he will help the Transgender element to its con-
immeasurably in supporting the cerns, and Dennis said he is looking
office's work and people's estimation forward to creating programs that
f it." invite transgender people into the
The office works throughout the community and educate the LGBT
University to ensure that LGBT soices community on transgender issues,
are represented and heard at the policy Dennis said he will seek to increase
level. Dennis' interest in policy formu- support from heterosexual friends of
lation comes from his commitment to LGBT students in addition to pro-
advancing human rights, moting visibility for the office.
David Rosenberg,. a member of Along with being receptive to closet
Radical Fairies, an area gay group. said student, the LGBT office plans to take
the office does not always look out for a more active role at the University.
the interests of the LGBT community. "I'm looking forward to working
* "The problem with the office is that with those who have reached a point of
it's beholden to the U of M, and as a ride around their sexual orientation
result it doesn't a ways make the best
decisions for the whole LGBT commu-
nity" Ros n rg said. "They are not
going to alow him to make his idealis-
tic changes because he needs to train-
tain a harmonious relationship with the
adminiscratmon.'
Dennis previously acted as Area
Coordinator for Residence Life at
Emory University in Atlanta. where 2050C m rr4
*te gained se eral years of experi-
ence workin with college-age stu-
dents in different activities, leader- 663-3355
ship and coun'eling. Dennms said he
was attracted to the Uni ersity's rep
utation and its LGBT office, hich
was the first of its kind in the coun- M 4 can share the fare
try.
"It's a terrific opportunity to lead the M Service to metro airport
premier ofice of this kind into the 21st
enrur. Dennis said.
As director, Dennis" duties wi
include sunervision of the office 's 24 Hour Taxi Service
oversight of outreach into the LGBT
community on campus, attending to
issues of discrimination and intoler-
ance. helping students feel welcome
Art Fair expected
to draw 500,000
Ic
ECt
By Gerard Cohen-Vrignaud
r..
p T-. 'r ir ise tr nr
forArs event.ei Gahea Dati'n, ord-. .
00 ap arti rt'ai.er, .
UneUsth tow mofnr
An irmmunts rpta , aon
e i opn t a stdens a te Uives t. nin b n 960.e At Fin, horh
omcupris the praet a run. r
ID 71S Na: .e ~0 fairs0T heA ,.A7.rt Fair s Vpr emm
andexresio an r re!! iner fin "e re t ny thae 'on acco p da-
: l::H ?s.s'Ltn t o a t an s 're an
ptin /g themseves ^ utt e.sbring an ex tr msmens'n ae t
"Th.Kret0Fmn add. substnt
:r ud Da e thronnb f r i r or o th
a erker om d M'occup.scr n otea . Street area. s
an pe snion a nd r ral ini-o tesupoted a "W'r ptecnlplae n te pln-y
iUn plia tses, ciad ac ism ao e 0 whe you cOneIte most re -a
puithe m slvs outnd here:' Dennis 1100 aroiss in the sa e plae,"
said, munty ronenber ad.
Oterni psincludoes bringingbo i An Athefarso invowx igoroust
speak-ersi frmtidem Michigaa screening processbeand artistsnd-s
begining new'u: coig-outsupport praytod paerciat i tahe. o-da
gouprs in th all aind h ensuingbot ekset,ic isoniel of the most rof-.
thec didensits'::ndUcohesion oHethe itable sowsy ofthear f or-any
tLon. cm uiy.artists adcatpopeaent
TDenGBT sa hel hpso meito a-The n ns Aro hots'fis rm best
ratlrer w i oen's ora nhiation showd of the yar" sai.cottiBesrrs,
ors nx atothe a offc sdeeks "Itefinitea buyikn-g scrwts.
onc. Arteits and h cafispeopedaest
"It's definitely a
buying crowd.
People usually
lea ve with
something."
-Soott Berry
Ann Arm:-. or Art-.FairAr o
trafi'ic.
"It's pretty much one of the
lareest sales weeks for the whole
town,' said Mark Williams, a gener-
al store manager for Urban
Outfitters. "For us, Art Fair, the hol-
idays and back to school are our big
periods."
Similar to many other Ann Arbor
stores, Urban Outfitters will have
extended hours and will sell its mer-
chandise on the sidewalk.
In addition to the ant on display and
stores selling their t'ares, enteainers
till be on hand to periorm and orga-
nized activities w'il keep the kids busy
while parents shop.
The high letel of actis its' makes for
a distinctive ambience, organizers
said.
"The people-satching is
unmatched" Kronenberg said. 'The
atmosphere is one of fun and enjoy-
ment."
Tw'enty-six blocks of the city will
be occupied by booths for the event,
Admittance is free and hours are
Wednesday through Friday, 9 am. to
9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 art, to 6
p.m. For more information, call I-
800-888-9487.
F