Denied…Not!

There is a western state phenomenon that few people have ever noticed or witnessed if you have not lived in places like Montana, Wyoming or Nevada.  Municipalities, High Schools and Universities out of pride, boredom, or sheer pleasure create modern day geoglyphs by hauling giant rocks into place to form hillside letters that represent their town or school.  In Reno, we have an “N”.  This mountain monogram is a symbol of pride for Reno, NV. Since 2009, the Queer Student Union (QSU) at the University of Nevada has painted the “N” the colors of the rainbow as part of the university’s Diversity Week activities.

The Unity Commission and ASUN have funded this activity.  This year, the Queer Student Union had secured all the permissions and permits needed for this years painting; but not even a week before the students were to set out and techno-color the “N”, they got word their funding had been cut…

The funding apparently was not given this year because it showed favoritism to a particular group. QSU asked Flipside (ASUN activities arm) for funding, and were also denied.  Painting the “N” costs about $1,000.

BÜTCH Clothing Co. set up a meeting with QSU’s Vice President, Jenna, to discuss things we could collaborate on during Diversity Week. This is when I discovered the last minute budget cut.  Jenna and the QSU put off the painting a week in hopes of collecting enough money to still paint the “N”.  This clearly ruffled my feathers and I immediately went into crisis control mode.

In response, BÜTCH Clothing Co. offered two-hundred Donate Bracelets for the QSU, so they can be sold for $3.00 each to help raise funds.  And yesterday, I decided to go even further. I began asking friends, co-workers and even the owner of the company of my employment for help.

To date, BÜTCH Clothing Co. has donated $200 towards paint; Evolution Tattoo in Reno has put up $100; BJ’s ProShop and Salon donated $40; and, Reno eNVy has pledged $20.

The “N” is going to get painted in 2011 despite the lack of funding, budget cuts and semi-questionable politics.  The gay and lesbian community is capable of great things when we come together and focus on a task.

As the majority owner of BÜTCH Clothing Co. I have made this project my mission for April. 

(The Queer Student Union postponed the painting of the end until Reno Pride in August)

-ToeB