The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
The Women’s Resource Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is producing free booklets containing student art and literature and focusing on gender and sexuality issues to distribute in May.
The center’s staff will judge submissions, and the person who submits the piece with the most votes will win $100.
Fifteen individuals have submitted work so far, and the booklet is expected to be approximately 75 pages. The entries span a range of topics, including a coming out story and a man’s perspective of rape culture. Authors may choose to remain anonymous.
“This semester we thought it’d be really nice for people to express their experiences related to these things,” said Briana Soroko, programming liaison for the center and head of the booklet project.
Soroko said she got the idea for the booklet when the center’s executive coordinator asked staff to think of ways to improve the organization. The booklet will be funded entirely by the center.
Inclusivity and non-discrimination were key elements of the project. Soroko emphasized the importance of individuality and the ability to speak about topics normally considered private. She said most entries came from individuals without former ties to the center.
“My main goal for this is to provide a space to discuss issues that are important to us because it is a really big part of us,” Soroko said.
Lauren Jenquin, sophomore arts management major, submitted two poems for the booklet titled “With Nothing But You On My Mind” and “Your Experiment.” The poems are about embracing one’s own sexuality and sexual curiosity respectively.
Jenquin said she chose the topics because she believes everyone can relate to them on some level, especially in college.
Photo courtesy of uwsp.edu
“I believe most people go through a time where they don’t feel comfortable with their body or sexuality,” Jenquin said. “By talking about these things and breaking them down so they’re not as taboo allows people to openly talk about the issues and relate on some level.”
Poetry is a form of therapy for Jenquin, but she usually keeps it private. This will be the first time she has shared her work. She hopes to reach individuals with similar thoughts and end feelings of shame.
“If they find that they are not alone while reading my poetry, and they find that this isn’t something to be ashamed of, then I have done my job,” Jenquin said. “These topics aren’t talked about enough and need to be, so this is a wonderful way to get through to people.”
Avery Jehnke
Reporter
ajehn738@uwsp.edu
