Rainbow Resource Center Honors Donor |
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Nov. 9, 2001 -- A reception to honor Rainbow Resource Center (RRC) donor Dean Walton will be held Friday, Nov. 16, at 12:30 p.m. at the center in Room 112 of Knight Hall at the University of Wyoming.
The RRC, the new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) office, is part of the UW Multicultural Affairs Office. Walton, a New Jersey resident, donated to the center more than 300 books, numerous magazine subscriptions, videos, and a TV/VCR, totaling more than $2,500.
"Walton's donation is profoundly important because the RRC has been unfunded since its creation last year," says Beth Loffreda, assistant professor of English and LGBT Association adviser. "His contribution has provided the kinds of valuable resources and materials to which our community would otherwise have no access. His donation will matter to UW and to Laramie for years to come."
Walton says he was inspired to donate to the RRC after reading Loffreda's book "Losing Matt Shepard," and watching the play "The Laramie Project," both about the aftermath of Shepard's murder. He says Loffreda's book noted more than once that a great deal of money was raised for good causes in the wake of Shepard's death. However, little of it remained to assist gay youths in Laramie.
"I have no problem with money raised for good causes, but it struck me that the LGBT youths in Laramie deserved to be remembered as well," Walton said. "I felt that I was at a place in my life when it was time to try to make a difference somewhere."
Walton's initial plan was to create an award for service to UW's LGBT community but he learned more about the RRC and decided that fostering knowledge would provide a greater service.
"Books and other media provide an opportunity for learning and growth," Walton says.
The Giovanni Room, a 20-year-old independent gay and lesbian bookstore in Philadelphia, chose the book collection and offered the books at a reduced rate. Walton contacted Giovanni's Room because of the store's reputation for serving the lesbian and gay community.
"This project is exactly what this store is designed to do," says Ed Hermance, Giovanni's Room owner.
Hermance said Loffeda and other UW faculty members suggested the specific titles and topics they wanted to be included. The library includes fiction, poetry, memoirs, and materials on LGBT identity, health, politics, spirituality, and history. Posted on Friday, November 09, 2001
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