America — the land of the free and home of the brave. I have no doubts this country is the home of the brave, however, I have skepticism about how free American citizens really are. When I think of freedom — a concept this country holds in high regard — I think of not only basic freedoms, like voting but also the softer, less political freedoms such as loving who I want to love and having the option to marry that person. I cannot imagine being unable to legally marry whomever I choose to spend my life with and, as a heterosexual, I don’t have to be in that position. Unfortunately, this unthinkable concept is a reality for same-sex romantic partners in America.

As part of LGBT Awareness Week, IU Southeast welcomed Charlene Strong, gay rights activist, to campus. When Strong arrived in Indiana she was not feeling well, however, she worked through her sickness to speak to the students about equal rights for gay and lesbian couples on Oct. 12 in the Hoosier Room. The Student Program Council brought Strong to campus as a gift for the Gay Straight Alliance.