Elmhurst College senior and out lesbian Ally Vertigan became the first person from her school to be honored with the LGBT College Student Award at the Human Rights Campaign Chicago's annual gala, which happened Nov. 12.
The event was held at the Fairmount Hotel, where Vertigan, along with Orbitz (Corporate Equality Award) and actress Piper Perabo (Allies for Equality Award) received their awards.
Vertigan was planning on volunteering at the gala until she learned she was going to be an honored guest for being a positive role model for members of the LGBT community and for promoting acceptance of LGBT individuals during her college career.
An active member of Elmhurst Queers and Allies (EQUAL), the college's LGBT organization, Vertigan, in her role as chair of the committee developed, publicized and organized the "Big Gay Gathering." Said gathering is an annual event where they invite high school students who are involved with their gay-straight alliances to network and participate in educational programming.
Of her award, Vertigan said it was really exciting, especially since she had never attended a big awards banquet until that night. Describing the night, Vertigan said she was humbled and noted how beautiful the decorations were as well as how kind and welcoming everyone was. Vertigan thanked HRC, the people who nominated her at Elmhurst College, her religious community within the United Church of Christ, her parents and her girlfriend (who was also in attendance) during her remarks.
"The Human Rights Campaign award speaks volumes about the impact she has had on our campus and on LGBT awareness and inclusivity in general," said Dean of Students Eileen Sullivan, who nominated Vertigan for the honor. "Ally's recognition is an indicator that those outside of the College recognize both her good work and the culture of appreciation here, which we hope will become synonymous with Elmhurst College," Sullivan remarked.
A Spanish and religion double major, Vertigan said she hopes to become an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ so she can do ministry either as a preacher every Sunday or working at a non-profit or specifically within the LGBT community. Vertigan's future career plans will continue the work she has already done as an LGBT activist at her school. Over the last few years, Vertigan notes that she has honed her speaking skills while also standing up for her values, sharing her feelings without fear and answering questions from anyone who asks.
As for her personal heroes, Vertigan counts two people: her best friend and a female pastor (who is a married and straight) from a youth program that Vertigan participated in when she was 15 years old. The pastor, Vertigan said, "was the first real authentic woman I saw in a leadership position especially in the church."
Her experiences at Elmhurst, Vertigan said, have been overwhelmingly positive and that positivity created a safe environment for her to come out after her freshman year. "After I came out I realized nothing changed including my relationships with people," Vertigan said, adding, "I started to go to EQUAL meetings to get to know people in my own community which was really cool. I also realized that there was more to me than my queer identity so I had the courage to explore more of myself and figure out what my values were. Elmhurst is really a safe place to come out because of the open, accepting and supportive environment here."
To those who want to get involved in social justice causes her message is to do research, know your resources, ask questions and make connections including sending e-mails to people you don't know to get the ball rolling. The key thing Vertigan said, was to put yourself out there so people will get to know you and what you can contribute. Also, Vertigan shared that "every individual has the right to be happy and pursue their dreams."
To find out more about Elmhurst College and their LGBT organizations and programs, visit public.elmhurst.edu/about/lgbt.
