This fall the UNC LGBTIQ community brought a new smile to the mix - Anthony Reid, a graduate student in the UNC School of Social Work. As the Sexuality Studies Graduate Assistant Intern, Reid will work with the LGBTQ Advisory Board to implement this new program of study. A native of Winston-Salem, Reid attended UNC from 1992-1996 as an undergraduate majoring in Sociology. He was active with Carolina Fever, the Carolina Athletic Association, Campus Y, the Black Student Movement and the University’s main LGBTIQ organization at the time, B-GLAD. Upon graduation, he worked for five years at the N.C. School of Science and Mathematics and then the N.C. School of the Arts as a Residential Counselor.

LAMBDA: How does it feel to be back at UNC after eight years?

ANTHONY REID: I am just really excited in general to be back. The social work program here is one of the highest in the country. It’s kind of crazy. I think that a few years ago we slipped to national ranking of sixth, and people started to freak out. The faculty is pretty stellar, though some do too much research and I wish they would share more of their knowledge.

LAMBDA: Since you’ve graduated, you’ve definitely had some experience working with young adults. What have your interactions taught you that you can apply to your work here?

AR: Most of my counseling at NCSSM and NSSA was with adolescents, who are all dealing with things that are so similar to coming out. Everyone is trying to find confidence. Working with adolescents has sharpened my skills. As a counselor, you learn that it is most effective to allow a person to self determine. It’s most helpful if they can identify and label what they are dealing with for themselves instead of having you tell them. It’s funny because you find out that most people have similar experiences when it comes down to it.

LAMBDA: What personal qualities do you have that will help you perform well in this role?

AR: I consider myself a better role model now with more general knowledge to share. And I like sharing it! I’m a really great communicator, so now I can share that knowledge better. And I’m still close enough in age to students to relate to them on many levels.

LAMBDA: What vision do you have for the LGBTIQ on-campus community while you are here?

AR: Oh, there is a terrific Audre Lord quote that describes my vision perfectly: “... and the visibility which makes us most vulnerable is that which is also the source of our greatest strength.” Audre Lord is such an amazing woman in case you didn’t know. It’s really how I have grown to see myself over time. I have that quote on a banner I used at NCSSM. I absolutely love that woman!

LAMBDA: Are there any ways in which you have already seen your vision manifest itself on campus this year?

AR: Oh yeah. I’m the Community Coordinator for Connor Community and we actually already have staff signed up for upcoming Safe Zones. I didn’t even work it hard, but my staff is trying to push an initiative to get all North Campus RAs trained at the same time. We hope to get a whole group to do it together because we all feel it’s important as a group. There is also a South Campus group who wants to do it, mostly in Hinton James.

LAMBDA: What role do you see allies of the LGBTIQ community playing in campus climate?

AR: Allies are crucial to the development of a safe campus. Except for some hardcore radicals, most people realize that we have to make it together as human beings. So we definitely want allies learning about our issues so they can realize that our issues are also their issues. Our issues affect them. Being aware and deliberate about language matters. It’s so important that allies can step up to the plate and feel empowered to help LGBTQ people.

LAMBDA: In what ways did you work to improve the LGBTIQ climate when you were an undergrad?

AR: At the end of my sophomore year, I got involved with BSM and B-GLAD. Both of those organizations were more political then than they are now. My first year here, BSM marched quite a bit. I remember thinking, I don’t want to get arrested. I just want to get an education.

LAMBDA: What was the nature of your relationship to B-GLAD?

AR: Senior year, I wanted to make sure that I had B-GLAD on my plate. B-GLAD used to march a lot. My first march was so empowering ? oh my God! I don’t even remember the actual purpose. And I got to talk on the megaphone, too. We marched from the Campus Y around campus yelling. There were a couple hundred people, and that was one of the smaller ones.

LAMBDA: What was the goal of B-GLAD’s marches?

AR: At that point it was about making Carolina recognize that there was a group that was not represented, but that deserved respect. It was at the time the chancellor changed to Michael Hooker, and I think it was really good for him to realize our presence on campus. And I feel that he acknowledged that. Marches were so visible and empowering and helpful for your own identity politics.

LAMBDA: What other interests did you pursue as a Carolina undergrad?

AR: Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a sports junkie. I’m sometimes crazy. I have to calm down. And I have always loved Carolina basketball. My senior year I was Fever president. And I was CAA president. Basically as an undergrad I was all over anything sports-related. I went to so many soccer games, so many different events that even Mia Hamm and Marion Jones knew my name. It was just so awesome to see Mia Hamm after a game and have her say, “Hey, how ya doin’ Anthony?”

LAMBDA: Can you talk about the challenges of negotiating multiple identities a bit?

AR: For me, I think that there are definitely a different set of challenges for people of color because you don’t know how the gay white majority will view you, and you don’t know how your fellow people of color who aren’t LGBT will view you. You need a strong group of family and friends as you go through the growing process of negotiating multiple identities. And coming out is an ongoing process. James Baldwin writes a lot about double consciousness. I can really relate to that.

LAMBDA: How do you feel the current administration handles LGBTIQ issues today?

AR: I don’t know. I want to see how the climate is when gay folks are making themselves visible on purpose and see how they are handled. The jury’s still out for Moeser. As we increase our ally training, the more people can publicly show solidarity, even if it is just for one narrow issue, the better off we can be. When I was here there was blatant harassment and homophobia. I remember one time after some sort of pride march on campus, someone left a big blow up toy sheep that said “B-GLAD sex toy”. Hopefully that’s not the norm anymore. I mean, we’re here. We’re queer. Get used to it!