When I came out, I got so inspired to try to make a difference on my campus, in my state and around the world.

Dennis is a college senior and a member of the Campus Organizing Team.  

I grew up in the Catholic schools system, one of the most sexually repressive institutions in history, in the Bible Belt, nonetheless. I came to college knowingly uneducated on all things progressive. I was compelled to remedy my situation and can now happily say that I am indeed an advocate and activist for comprehensive sexual health and rights education.

 I am currently the president of Oklahoma State’s Sexual Orientation Diversity Association. I didn’t come out on any notable level until about my sophomore year of college, but when I did, I must say that I got so inspired to try to make a difference on my campus, in my state and around the world. SODA works closely with several other groups on campus and in the community, including NOW and PFLAG, to educate people here regarding all things GLBTQ and also things our allies need to know about like contraceptive access and safe sex practices.

Whenever I sit back and reflect on my time here at OSU, it excites me so much to see how far this campus has come in just the past 4 years. I can’t help but to take some pride in the fact that at least some of this progress is a direct result of my being here and being an outspoken advocate for the issues I care deeply about.