The Diversity and Multiculturalism division of the Office of the Chancellor recently awarded Riverland Community Gay-Straight Alliance’s (RCGSA) STAGE LEFT an Honorable Mention award in the first annual Diversity Awards in the Outstanding Student Organization Diversity Award category.

The Outstanding Student Organization Diversity Award recognizes student-led groups, staff, faculty and/or administrators initiatives that foster diversity and inclusion within the campus and/or the larger community. The recognition provides a $500 award to be used in the continued development or promotion of this best practice.

“STAGE LEFT” stands for Straights and Gays for Equality-Listening Entertaining Facilitating Teaching. It is a performance based branch of RCGSA and  performs scenes, monologues, poetry and personal accounts written by local GLBT persons about growing up/coming out. Songs and drama include serious as well as humorous material. Each performance includes an open floor question and discussion session.

“Your outstanding leadership in improving diversity through your performances and discussions are a leading best practice,” said Whitney Stewart Harris, executive director of Diversity and Multiculturalism, in her notification letter.  “We are happy to see (Riverland’s STAGE LEFT) receive the systemwide recognition (they) have earned for (their) diligent work.”

“STAGE LEFT is a partnership between our students in the RCGSA and the community group, Q&A.,” said Scott Blankenbaker, RSCGA faculty advisor. “We feel that by using theater, music, literature, and personal stories, we inform and interact with people about gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgen der issues in a rather unique way.  I am very proud of the time and talents our students have donated to this project and the impact it has been making across the state.”