Volume 15 Issue 10

Volume 15, Issue 10

www.eaglenews.org

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

By Rachel Iacovone · Managing Editor

K

atherine Belyea stretches her hands out in front of her on the tabletop, rubbing her palms together absent-mindedly as she does whenever she’s uncomfortable. This time, she’s talking about her family, and well, last time, she was too.

She says she has a lesbian cousin her family came to accept. Her cousin’s girlfriend has even been accepted into the family.

But, the problem is, she’s not lesbian. Well, maybe, she is, but more than anything, Katherine Belyea is transgender — a trans woman whose family still calls Corbyn.

Belyea said her deadname — the name a trans person was assigned at birth — could be included, as people are often curious about a trans person’s beginnings.

Belyea, who is a junior at FGCU, was raised in a “very, very conservative” household and was sent to a private Christian school that adhered to every word of the Bible teaching its students that the story of creation means the Earth has only existed for 6,000 years.

Though she says it feels like it’s been three years, Belyea has been publicly out for six months, having come out on March 31, International Transgender Day of Visibility.

She said she initially started the journey to end the pain she was in and has encountered both more pain and incredible relief in the time since beginning her transition.

“The hardest part about communicating with my parents is, for me, it feels like it’s been a really, really long time, but for them, it was only six months ago,” Belyea said.

Five months ago, a day short of the month anniversary of her beginning estrogen, Belyea sat in the fishbowl outside the Dean of Students’ Office, a hall away from Counseling and Psychological Services, which aided her in forming a support system before her big day.

She held her arms tight to her chest for nearly an hour, as she shakily recalled the day she came out to her family.

Belyea had left a letter on her dad’s pillow when he was out drinking with friends.

At a friend’s place the next morning, she woke up to multiple messages from her mom.

Though they are divorced, Belyea’s dad had called her mother and told her the news.

Her mom wanted her to “be a man” and come out to her in person, so she drove to her mom and stepdad’s house.

“After I came out to my mom and stepdad, they said I had 30 minutes to go tell my grandma, who I was living with at the time, that I was moving out and tell her what had happened,” Belyea said.

For the next month, Belyea lived in her car or on friends’ couches, never

>> Continued on A2

EN Photo / Brad Young

A2 COMING OUT ISSUE EAGLE NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 >> Katherine continued from A1 staying more than a night in fear of being a burden.

“I was really mentally unstable after getting kicked out,” Belyea said.

“Not having a place to call my own was really, really tough at times.”

Despite her openly discussing her thoughts of suicide in her coming out post on Facebook, when she spoke about her gender dysphoria in May, she denied having been suicidal.

Now, though, she openly discusses her transition as “a matter of life and death.”

“My mom and stepdad have called me a liar,” Belyea said. “They said, ‘If you had those feelings early on, you would’ve said something about them back then. You wouldn’t have come out now.’ And, not having my family was really hard because I was raised with family being the most important thing. Family means a lot to me.”

And, despite the disconnection, she means a lot to her family. One family member in particular made sure to remind Belyea she was loved during her coming out process.

“My grandma was the first one to say, ‘Listen, no matter what, I’m going to be here for you,’” Belyea said.

Arlene Cabana, or “Nana” as Belyea calls her, sat on the porch of her Fort Myers home a half a year away from her “grandson’s” initial announcement, wiping away tears as she talked about “him.”

“I knew Corbyn was different, but I thought it was the intelligence,” Cabana said. “I thought he was different because he’s so smart.”

Cabana said she thought Belyea was joking when she first told her but was shocked when she realized she wasn’t.

“What makes me angry

with Corbyn is that he comes out and tells us he’s trans and he immediately wants us to accept it,” Cabana said. “He thinks that we should just accept what he says, and after 20 years, he wants us to call him a different name.”

Cabana explained that she doesn’t deadname Belyea maliciously, and she assured the rest of the family doesn’t either; it’s just what they’re used to.

“You just don’t do that overnight, and that’s what he seems to expect,” Cabana said. “He needs to give the family time.”

Belyea’s grandma, a seemingly stern woman at first, spoke about Belyea’s childhood emphatically, specifically when reminiscing about her daughter’s second wedding.

“Corbyn got up in front of the people and read from the Bible and said a prayer,” Cabana said. “And, he told me, ‘Nana, when I grow up, I’m going to be a preacher.’ I know children always change their mind, but you know, I think of that little boy then and him now and...”

Cabana’s two dogs ran in from the yard that her exson-in-law still landscapes to comfort their owner, who couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought.

“Things have been better with her than with my parents, but we still have our moments where she’ll look at me and just start crying,” Belyea said.

The feelings Cabana has about Belyea’s transition are more so rooted in fear for her grandchild than in her faith’s beliefs about LGBT individuals, Cabana said.

“I told him I’ll always love him, and I do,” Cabana said. “What I’m concerned with is his safety. The world maybe accepts it better than when I was younger, but not everyone accepts it.”

WWW.EAGLENEWS.ORG Efforts to contact Belyea’s father, who she now lives with, went unanswered. Her mother said she had no comment.

The understanding Belyea said her family initially lacked she found in her close circle of friends.

One such friend Silas Pacheco is a junior anthropology major at FGCU, but the two met in high school in a creative writing class. Nearly five years later on New Year’s Eve 2016, Pacheco became the first person Belyea came out to.

“I always sort of felt like there was something off,” Pacheco said. “She had a pretty guarded type of personality, and I could tell after some time she was clearly on the gender queer spectrum somewhere.

There was just the question of what it was.”

Pacheco said he never pushed the matter though, assuming she would talk about it when she was ready, and eventually, she did. Their friendship remains almost entirely unfazed since.

“I mean, she was an asshole then, and she’s an asshole now,” Pacheco said, laughing.

He added that they had that in common.

Maryssa Pallis, a senior political science major at FGCU, was there the first time Belyea cut her hair after coming out.

“Long hair is like a staple of femininity, so I was having a crisis honestly outside the salon,” Belyea said.

She called Pallis who drove over and took her to another salon. When Belyea couldn’t find the nerve to verbalize what haircut she wanted, Pallis spoke up for her.

“We just want her hair to look as lesbian-y as possible,” Pallis told the stylist.

Belyea walked out that

day with her signature pixie cut. Later, diamond studs and a more confident smile were added to her look.

Looking toward the future, Belyea said she now plans to eventually go through Sex Reassignment Surgery, which she was originally very cautious about. Not all trans people are comfortable discussing SRS, which is a very personal procedure.

“There have been times that I’ve been on dating sites, and the first thing they ask is like about my genitals,” Belyea said. “And, it’s just awkward.”

Belyea, who calls herself a “practical lesbian,” said she felt pressured to date men to fit in with cisgender women. Cisgender refers to those whose gender corresponds to the sex they were assigned at birth.

“Figuring out my sexuality I could not do before I figured out I was trans because so much of sexuality, for some reason, ties up in gender,” Belyea said. “When I first came out as trans, I was afraid to date girls because it made me feel like less of a woman.”

Hyper femininity is a reality many trans women face, regardless of sexual orientation.

“When you’re trans, so much is placed on how feminine — traditionally feminine — you are,” Belyea said.

She said her grandma once told her that she can’t be transgender since she likes comic books.

“You’re not allowed to exist on the more masculine end of the spectrum because then you’re not enough of a woman to be seen as a woman,” Belyea said. “For me, transitioning has been more about navigating the prejudices of what people think it means to be a woman.”

EN Photo / Rachel Iacovone Katherine Belyea fixes her hair in the women’s bathroom of Silverspot Cinemas at Mercato in Naples. Belyea first cut her hair after coming out with a friend. “Long hair is like a staple of feminity, so I was having a crisis honestly outside the salon,” she said.

EN Photo / Brad Young Belyea poses near the Veteran’s Pavilion on campus. Belyea, who has been taking estrogen for almost six months, spent time couch surfing since she was kicked out after coming out to her parents as a trans woman on International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2016.

EN Photo / Rachel Iacovone Despite being kicked out and misunderstood after coming out to her family, Belyea’s grandmother, Arlene Cabana still expresses her love for her. “My grandma was the first one to say, ‘Listen, no matter what, I’m going to be here for you,” Belyea said.

LGBT accepting churches found across Lee County

By Rachel Iacovone Managing Editor @totesrachel A harsh reality many LGBT individuals face is coming out with the fear of being rejected by their religious family, church or faith entirely.

Since the average age of coming out is now 17, according to a study conducted by the LGBT rights group Stonewall in 2010, many incoming FGCU students have likely recently come out or may be about to.

Though each Southwest

Florida church differs in its approach, there are some that consider themselves to be “open and affirming,” meaning they fully accept gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons.

Much like the rest of The Episcopal Church denomination, Iona-Hope Episcopal Church, located off Gladiolus Drive in Fort Myers, is open and affirming to the LGBT community.

Rev. Ray Buchanan, the rector at Iona-Hope — the Anglican Church’s equivalent of a priest —

said the congregation boasts at least 200 members year-round, and that number grows during season.

Ten percent of the decade-old congregation is LGBT, and many are leaders in the church.

“Their sexuality does not prohibit them from full participation in the life of the congregation,” Buchanan said.

“We celebrate their personhood and relationships as we have historically celebrated straight folks and relationships.”

“All are welcome” can be found on all of IonaHope’s signage as homage to the church’s baptismal covenants of inclusivity and servanthood.

“There are many Christians who celebrate and accept you as people who are loved by God,” Buchanan said to the LGBT community. “You do not have to live your life of faith alone.”

Saint John the Apostle Metropolitan Community Church, located off McGregor Boulevard a mile from Historic Downtown

Fort Myers, takes being open and affirming a step further.

“I believe scripture is given for grace and light and comfort, not to be used for hate,” Saint John Pastor Steve Filizzi said. “God commanded us to love, and we don’t get to decide who that applies to.”

Unlike other congregations that simply accept the LGBT community, the denomination of MCC was entirely founded upon the inclusion of LGBT individuals.

The year before New York’s Stonewall riots, in 1968, Rev. Troy Perry formed MCC after being kicked out of the Pentecostal denomination for his homosexuality.

Forty- eight years later, MCC remains deeply rooted in the belief that LGBT individuals should be welcomed as any other churchgoer.

Saint John has, on the book, 146 members — 85 percent of which identify

>> Continued on A3

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 EAGLE NEWS COMING OUT ISSUE A3

Being out on campus A look at stories of LGBT students at FGCU

By Taylor Crehan, News Editor

Sophomore accounting major Matthew Peterson, who grew up in a conservative

household, first came out as gay to two close friends while he was a freshman in high school.

“They were both throwing low-key hints from months before that they could trust me and be there for me if I had anything to tell them,” Peterson said.

Peterson decided that, with the support of his friends, he could begin a new phase of his life.

“I was at the stage of my life where I could think for myself and not believe everything my parents did,” he said. “So I thought why not just be myself and start a new path for myself?”

Nearly a year later, his parents found

out accidentally when they saw text messages that Peterson sent one of his friends.

“That wasn’t a good experience, and they kept hounding me saying that it was a phase and I would grow out of it,” he said. “I wasn’t really sure if they were just appalled by the messages or the fact that I was indeed gay, but honestly it didn’t matter to me.”

Despite their negative reactions, Peterson still cares about his parents.

“I still loved them, but they just didn’t understand me and my feelings,” he said.

Peterson looked forward to going to college in hopes of a more open and

Junior nursing major Harry Mehri figured out that he was gay when he was about 14.

“Everything sort of came out in high school ‘cause that’s when my hormones hit,” he said. “It took me probably like a month of me being like ‘eh, I might be gay.’”

Mehri felt like it was the right time to come out after something as simple as a car ride with his mom.

“We were driving through Fort Lauderdale, through the gay area, and she was like ‘oh, I have no problem with what people do with their lives’ so when she said that it sort of clicked,” he said.

Soon after that, he came out in a somewhat unconventional way.

“I was in the garage talking to my mom and then I cracked a joke about a guy being attractive,” Mehri said. “Then she asked, ‘are you gay?’ and I said, ‘I’m not sure.’

That’s my coming out story.”

After coming out, Mehri would subtlety update his mom on that part of his life.

“I kept her updated every so often,” he said. “Like small chats. I’d walk by her and I’d be like ‘yeah, I thought this girl was cute, but I like her brother,’ and she’d be like, ‘ok, cool.’”

Mehri’s family is Muslim on his father’s side. Despite traditional Muslim beliefs, when he came out to his dad, it went well.

“My parent’s family didn’t care,” he said. “My dad was like, ‘it isn’t a big deal.’”

Mehri hasn’t experienced anything extremely negative while being out on campus.

In fact, he believes that he has an advantage when it comes to making friends.

“Because people can tell that I’m gay, like women, they feel more comfortable around me,” he said. “It’s easier to talk to them, and they don’t feel like they’re being creeped on.”

Overall, Mehri feels that being an out gay man isn’t as big of a deal as it was a few years ago.

When asked if he had any plans for National Coming Out Day, Mehri replied, “Oh, is it really? I was just going to eat

growing up in a conservative Christian household, she was taught that having feelings for someone of the same sex meant that you were going to hell.

“My whole life I covered my sexuality with dating guys, and it always backfired,” Anderson said. “My friends all knew but I hadn’t come out to my mom yet.”

Anderson immediately wanted to stop keeping her sexuality a secret after she met her girlfriend, who she has been with for three years.

“She had lived outside the closet for so long,” Anderson said. “I looked up to her in that she was a lesbian and wasn’t afraid for people to know.”

After that realization, Anderson

decided to tell her mom.

“I finally decided to tell my mom and she didn’t take it well,” she said. “She didn’t talk to me for three months. She took me to our pastor’s house and took my phone so I couldn’t leave or go anywhere.”

Anderson ended up walking over five miles to a friend’s house to get away.

Despite her mom’s reaction, she didn’t regret coming out.

“Even though it was a horrible experience, I felt so relieved that I could finally be me,” Anderson said.

Anderson’s life has done nothing but improve since she came out.

“I don’t feel like I’m hiding a very big part of myself,” she said. “I’m able to go

Matthew Peterson sophomore, gay

Brittani Anderson junior, lesbian Junior forensic studies major Brittani Anderson spent 19 years of her life pretending she was straight. After all,

>> Churches continued from A2 as LGBT. The majority of LGBT members come from Catholic backgrounds.

“People come to us from a variety of backgrounds,” Filizzi said. “But, five out of the six people present at the most recent membership meeting were

former Catholics.”

Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, made waves for preaching nonjudgment in 2013.

“If a person is gay and seeks out the Lord and is willing, who am I to judge that person?” Francis said.

Despite his personal statement, the Catholic

Church has stood firm in its traditional beliefs in the following three years.

But, former Catholics seem to find comfort in Saint John’s weekly Eucharist, the consuming of bread and wine in Jesus Christ’s memory.

“A lot of nondenominational churches don’t have

FGCU’s Coming Out Story

Coming Friday, Oct. 14

Eucharist weekly, or at all,” Filizzi said. “It’s important to us and makes some new members feel more at home.”

While it shares some characteristics of other denominations, Saint John differs from most congregations because its congregation is majority LGBT, and outside of its services, it hosts a trans

accepting community.

“I know universities are usually more liberal and my colleagues would be much more mature and accepting than in high school,” he said.

As for being out on campus, Peterson hasn’t experienced anything overtly negative, or anything overtly positive either.

“Nothing negative, for sure,” he said.

“I haven’t experienced anything overtly positive myself, but I do love seeing that LGBT people have a voice, are able to express themselves and have so many opportunities.”

Harry Mehri junior, gay some Pita Pit.”

out with my girlfriend and hold her hand in public and kiss her and not think about what people are thinking because I just don’t care anymore.”

As for being out on campus, Anderson hasn’t had any overwhelmingly negative experiences.

“People are really accepting of my sexuality,” she said. “It’s more off campus that I have those (negative) experiences.”

Even though she’s been out for three years now, Anderson is reminded of her anti-LGBT upbringing and gets discouraged.

“Sometimes, even now, I have that voice in my head telling me that it’s wrong,” she said. “I just remind myself that I’m OK just the way I am.”

life group, gay Alcoholics Anonymous group, gay Narcotics Anonymous group and HIV and hepatitis testing.

While the number of open and affirming churches continues to grow, the majority, locally and globally, still follow traditional practices.

Filizzi spoke optimistically about the direction the Christian

church as a whole is headed but said he was aware the majority of churches still follow traditional beliefs.

“They are doing spiritual harm to the souls of some of their members,” Filizzi said, “by not accepting who they are, who God made them to be.”

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A4 COMING OUT ISSUE EAGLE NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

Where are we now?

A look at hate crimes after the Pulse nightclub shooting

By Georgette French Outreach Editor @georgettefrenc There have been many displays of violence in the LGBT community, and many reports of hate crimes to follow – the most horrific of those being the Orlando Pulse shooting where over 40 club-goers were killed by gunman, Omar Mateen.

The incident, labeled as the deadliest hate crime in U.S. history, stands as a stark reminder for the LGBT community that there are still those who are hostile toward the LGBT community, and will go to great extremes to display this.

Violence has always been the method of choice to dissuade growing movements, and, unfortunately, hate crimes are on the rise.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reports the statistics of hate crimes every year,

and according to the 2016 report, there was a 20 percent increase in the number of reported haterelated homicides of the LGBT community, with about 50 percent of the survivors of these crimes being between the ages of 19 and 39 years old.

These figures also show an increase in crimes from 2013 to the concurrent year, all previous to the Orlando shooting.

The rapid growth of the LGBT community and the attention they have received due to their growth is a possible factor for the sudden increase in hate crimes, though members of the LGBT community suggest that hate has always been there.

“People tend to hate what they don’t understand,” Annalise Martin, a patron at the SWFL Pride Festival explained.

“The same way that people hate blacks, and Muslims, they hate the

gays and it’s because this (lifestyle) isn’t normal for them. It’s not something they’re used to.”

Martin, who identifies as bi-sexual, explained that she thinks that gay crimes escalated due to their exposure in the media, but also said that without the exposure, there wouldn’t have been any progress.

The progress she refers to has to do with the approval of same-sex marriages, the outrage over bathroom laws and the introduction of safe-zones.

In just one year, the LGBT community has established itself as a community that fights for human rights ranging from same-sex marriage (established in 2015) to bathroom rights for those who identify as queer.

Due to the exposure of these topics, backlash from more traditional communities manifested itself through public outrage, resulting in a select few taking drastic

measures through way of violence.

And the more exposure the community receives, Martin believes the more crimes will arise.

The NCAVP reports only 24 cases of violence ranging from homicide to assault, but cautions that this is not inclusive of those who chose not to come forward about any hate crimes committed against them.

Still, the rise in attacks is alarming.

Despite this, students at FGCU feel that the school is all-inclusive of an individual’s sexual orientation, and many locations are recognized as safe zones for students.

The Orlando Pulse Shooting and The Los Angeles Pride Parade bombing attempt are some of the most well-known attacks of the year, but when it comes to the LGBT EN Photo / Allie Taylor community, the future is Mourners visited Pulse nightclub after the shooting on June 12 to show support still bright. for the LGBT community.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

www.eaglenews.org

Instagram celebrity duo The Gay Beards share stories of friendship, fame, coming out

Photo courtesy of The Gay Beards Delaurenti and Dahl have expressed their creative fun side through unique (and sometimes bizarre) beard decorating.

By Allie Taylor E&L Editor @journonajourney What happens when you give two men the creative leeway to put whatever they want in their facial hair? You get The Gay Beards, featuring Brian Delaurenti, Johnathan Dahl and their luscious beards that rival any lumberjack.

“Brian and I have always had the drive to try something new, to be different and most importantly be our own bosses,” Dahl said in an interview with Eagle News.

“When Brian decided to grow his beard, it made me jealous so I decided to grow mine out too, without even knowing if I was able to.

After we both had decent sized beards, it just made sense that we try to create something around the idea that we’ve been best friends since fourth grade, who both happened to be gay and coincidentally were both able to grow full

beards.”

The duo from Portland, Oregon began their foray into beard decorating by an impromptu, flowery photo shoot.

“Johnathan and I were in our backyard with a good friend of ours who just so happens to work in the film industry. As we were wandering through our garden, being from Portland, that probably won’t surprise most people, our buddy asked if he could put a few flowers in our beards and snap a couple of photographs,” Delaurenti said. “Reluctantly, we agreed.”

Delaurenti and Dahl fell in love with the photos, so much that they created The Gay Beards Instagram and began posting images of what would lead them into beard-décor history.

Since that day in the summer of 2014, the account has racked up a following of over 258,000 followers on Instagram.

The pair continues to stun their audience with everything from placing Legos in their whiskers to full-fledged (and messy) glitter beards.

Dahl said that the longest project The Gay Beards has done is easily glitter and paint.

“Typically glitter is the easiest thing to put in our beards, and the hardest thing to get out. Though shampoo will get most of it, it can take days to clear all of the sparkly specs from our face fuzz. Even then, weeks can go by and we will still occasionally find rogue glitter dust somewhere floating around in there,” Dahl said.

With great beards comes great responsibility and the two have perfected the art of keeping their facial hair neat and clean after their projects.

Delaurenti and Dahl trim and shape their beards a few times a month, along with the daily routine of

beard oil, balm, mustache wax (for those sweet handlebars), shampoo, conditioner and brushing with a boar-bristle brush.

As Delaurenti said, “a healthy beard is a happy beard.” The two were even featured on Australiabased, botanical beard oil shop The Groomed Man Co.’s website for “The Beard Series” and “Beard Trends – The Glitter Beard.”

The pair’s friendship goes far beyond the beards, back to when the two were just 8 years old. Both have become so close that they consider one another brothers rather than best friends.

Delaurenti mentioned that coming out meant finding a way through the struggle of admitting he was gay in a place that was “very liberal in its views.”

The process was real and challenging. He realized that if it was tough for him, it had to have been immensely tougher for others going through similar struggles elsewhere in the country, and even the world.

Dahl took a bit longer (by around four years) to come out than then 17-year-old Delaurent.

Coincidentally, the two came out to the same person, just years apart.

“I remember when Brian had mentioned long after he came out that he told his nurse after he got his teeth pulled, without meaning to. So four years later, I had to get my teeth pulled and I was mortified because all I could think about was not saying anything,” Dahl said. “After

I woke up … I realized I was bawling and I asked my nurse why I was crying.

She told me that I came out to her, but that it was OK and it wasn’t the first time it happened to her. Then, I found out that it happened to be the exact same nurse Brian came out to. Small world. Crazy coincidence.”

As members of the LGBT community, Delaurenti and Dahl filmed a video in June for Portland’s “PRIDE Week,” in which the two spraypainted their beards a rainbow of colors. The two have attended plenty of pride festivals in the past, but never as the iconic The Gay Beards.

“We met a ton of people during the weekend and were quite taken back by the number of gay-beardsupporters we ran into,” Delaurenti said. “Getting to spread our love with images across social media is an incredible opportunity in its own right, but getting to meet some of our followers in person and hear about their own stories is absolutely priceless.”

Dahl had never thought of himself as a symbol for the LGBT masses, but like Delaurenti, he is honored that his fans consider him one.

Aside from the fun of dressing up their beards, The Gay Beards has become a way for the pair to strip down stereotypes of what is normal and encourage those to be proud of who they are.

“I think the main issue I see in the LGBT community is that people are often afraid to be themselves. One of our

main messages we try to deliver is that it’s okay to be yourself and to stay true to who you are,” Dahl said.

“Even when it seems like you can’t be yourself and things aren’t going how you thought they would, it always gets better and that you can never say no one loves you, because we love you.”

The Gay Beards have begun to gear up for the fall season and were able to tell Eagle News exclusively that they will be preparing unconventional Halloween themed beard ideas.

“Though we don’t want to give too much away, you can bet that we will be giving our best rendition of a Pumpkin Spice Latte beard, and even more exciting, there will definitely be a glitter beard, or two, to celebrate the fall season,” Delaurenti said.

Dahl added that their followers should keep an eye out for things like leaves, pumpkins and their Halloween costumes.

Throughout their journey of coming out and their Instagram account taking off, Delaurenti and Dahl have taken the love and support of their fans to heart.

“I just hope that people see our images and have the opportunity to smile, if a smile is what they need,” Delaurenti said. “At times, life can be scary, hollow, and uncertain, but it won’t always be that way. We want to be a light for others in their times of darkness, and if we can help, even for just a second, that makes what we do infinitely worth it.”

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 EAGLE NEWS COMING OUT ISSUE A5

Breaking the binary PRIDE Playlist 1. “I’m Coming Out” - Diana Ross 2. “She Keeps Me Warm” - Mary Lambert EN Photo / Allie Taylor Eagle News’ Julia Browning (left) and Luke Janke (right) break the gender boundaries when it comes to outfits and makeup. Browning sported a cut-off wife beater t-shirt and boyfriend jeans, while Janke wore a full face of makeup.

3. “Lay Me Down” - Sam Smith 4. “Firework” - Katy Perry

By Deanna Simmons Contributing Writer @WondercatDee

5. “Beautiful” - Christina Aguilera 6. “Supermodel (You Better Work)” - RuPaul 7. “Believe” - Cher 8. “Real” - Years & Years 9. “Closer” - Tegan and Sara 10. “WILD (feat. Alessia Cara)” - Troye Sivan

EN Illustration / Audrey Mobley

Gender fluidity is an identity people use to indicate their gender expression and is just one of much identification that people can choose from.

“The takeaway is that only you know who you were born to be, and you need to be free to be that person,” said Ruby Rose, a gender-fluid celebrity who has given people the courage to come out and truly be themselves.

In her interview with Huffington Post, Rose brings visibility to her form of gender identification

and empowers others who identify the same way.

Gender-fluid fashion is all about expression – depending on how one feels on a given day – and being comfortable in who you are; how you style your hair, what clothes you wear, and how you feel like presenting yourself.

“My favorite place is Hot Topic,” said Temi A., a junior at FGCU. “My favorite piece is a grayscale flannel shirt that I picked up from there for my 20th birthday.”

On days when they feel more masculine, a genderfluid person might wear button downs and jeans and a neckpiece, like a tie

or bow tie for a fancier occasion. However, on more feminine days, they may choose to wear a dress or other more feminine pieces of clothing.

“I definitely didn’t identify as feminine, but I wasn’t quite masculine or androgynous,” said Temi A. “Don’t be afraid to try out different clothing styles. Do your research if you can.

It’s okay if your identity changes: nothing is static.”

What’s important is that you are comfortable and true to yourself in whatever you choose to wear. As Temi A. said, “You are still valid just as you are.”

Celebrities in the LGBT community

By Julia Browning Assistant E&L Editor @juliabrowningxo

With a presence that influences millions of viewers a day, celebrities know better than anyone about the benefits of coming out as a member of the LGBT community. Here’s a list of celebrities who are out and proud.

Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia

From left to right: Colton Haynes, Amber Heard, Michael Angelakos, Ian McKellen, Cara Delevingne and Josh Hutcherson.

Colton Haynes The 27-year-old “Teen Wolf” and “Arrow” actor came out on Twitter after a long internet speculation that he was gay. He reported to this positive statement to the Huffington Post: “It took me so long to get to this point, but I’m doing so good,” Haynes said. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and healthier than I’ve ever been, and that’s what I care about.”

Miley Cyrus Miley Cyrus, America’s Sweetheart turned Pop’s Wild Child is currently experiencing the best of both worlds with her gender identity.

She spoke with PAPER magazine about how she doesn’t agree with identifying as male or female and doesn’t require that her partner does either.

“I am literally open to every single thing that is consenting and doesn’t involve an animal and everyone is of age ... I don’t relate to being boy or girl, and I don’t have to have my partner relate to boy or girl.”

Keke Palmer Keke Palmer isn’t going to force herself into being subscribed to a label.

Questions of her sexuality arose when her steamy video for her song, “I Don’t Belong To You,” which features scenes with both men and women. “The video was to represent the young woman today – it’s not the traditional woman anymore – and not the specifics of ‘Am I gay? Am I straight?

Am I bi?’” said Keke Palmer for People Magazine. “I’m making the rules for myself, and I don’t have to be stuck down to one label.”

Amber Heard Amber Heard came out at GLAAD’s 25th anniversary event back in 2010 by attending the event with her then girlfriend.

Since she has married Johnny Depp and then filed for divorce after announcing instances of physical abuse.

Through it all she has remained an advocate for her bi-sexuality and won’t allow herself to be defined.

Heard previously spoke to The Times stating: “I don’t want to have to deny my sexuality in order to be me ...”

Michael Angelakos Michael Angelakos, the front man of Passion Pit, revealed in an interview with author Bret Easton Ellis that he was gay. In the interview he spoke on the gut-feeling he had to speak out on his sexuality.

“OK, I kind of just need to talk to people about the fact that I am. I’m gay.

And that’s it. It just has to happen. This was exactly the type of situation where I don’t feel like I’m being threatened,” he said.

Jim Parsons Jim Parsons, star of “The Big Bang Theory,” described coming out as a gay man in Hollywood as a “wonderful gift” to E! News.

“I never had a coming out piece,” Parsons said.

“I did a piece with Patrick Healy for The New York Times and he just pointblank asked, ‘Was working on The Normal Heart meaningful to you as a gay man?’ And I was like, ‘Well, yeah. Yeah.’ And what a wonderful…I can’t tell you what a wonderful thing that was, what a gift he gave me with one question. It was suddenly out there and official.”

Lady Gaga Lady Gaga, seen to many as a “gay icon,” is a member of the LGBT community herself. She identifies as a bisexual and feels no desire to be shy about it. She told Attitude magazine, “I am bisexual, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. You can believe it or not, it’s just here, I’m honest.”

Ian McKellen Seventy seven-yearold Ian McKellen has had a long, successful and awardwinning career, best known for his role as Gandalf in “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. He reported to Out Magazine that coming out didn’t just make him happier, but made him a better actor as well.

“What happened immediately, according to friends, is I became not just a happier person, but a better actor. I think up to that point, I had been using acting as a disguise – somewhere where I could express my emotions, and draw attention to myself in a way that I didn’t particularly want to do in real life. Acting became not about disguise, but about telling the truth ...”

Jillian Michaels “The Biggest Loser” coach Jillian Michaels came out around 2012 and spoke to Cosmopolitan Magazine about the effect coming out has had on her children.

When asked what the best thing about being out publicly was, she replied with this: “Really just showing my kids that you should never be ashamed to be who you are. It might not be the easiest path in the world, but there’s a real freedom in authenticity and having the courage to be your authentic self.”

Cara Delevingne Cara Delevingne is supermodel turned actress, most recently turning heads as the villain in DC’s “Suicide Squad.”

Up until recently she had been dating singer/ songwriter St. Vincent, and said this of her relationship and sexual orientation in an interview with Vogue U.K.: “I’m obviously in love, so if people want to say I’m gay, that’s great,” she continued.

“But we’re all liquid we change, we grow.”

Josh Hutcherson The 20-year-old star of “Hunger Games” reported on his bisexuality to Out Magazine while discussing his desire for a more open-minded world on the topic of sexuality. To Hutcherson, sexuality is not black and white and he hopes it won’t be for future generations either.

“I have this dream that one day, my kid’s gonna come home from school and be like, ‘Dad, there’s this girl that I like, and there’s this guy that I like, and I don’t know which one I like more, and I don’t know what to do,’” he said.

“It’d just be a non-issue, like, ‘Which one is a good person? Which one makes you laugh more?’”

SPORTS

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The time is now

Harrison Browne and the LGBT sports community breaks its silence

Photo courtesy of Buffalo Beauts

Although a member of National Women’s Hockey League Buffalo Beauts, Harrison Browne identifies himself as a man.

By Emily Kois Assistant Sports Editor @emilykois With recent executive orders banning discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, one would think this would propel equality in the sports profession.

Well, think again — not all leagues and teams are as equal as we think.

There will always be differing opinions on this issue. One side believes professional sports have helped advance understanding, acceptance and equality while others think that professional sports continue to lag.

The LGBT community has become such a wellknown aspect of today’s society that it is hard to not take notice.

Sports have been prop-

agated in American history for decades, and if represented correctly, the athletes can show the best of America. On the field or court, athletes are judged purely on skill and talent — not their sexual orientation or gender identities.

Since the recent announcement of former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner being a transwoman, people, particularly athletes, are beginning to accept their identities, and on Oct. 8, history was made yet again.

Harrison Browne became the first openly transgender athlete to compete in a professional U.S. sport.

The 23-year-old went by the name Hailey Browne before announcing he prefers to be called Harrison and identifies as a man.

“I identify as a man,” Browne told ESPNW. “My family is starting to come

to grips with it. Now, it’s my time to be known as who I am, to be authentic and to hear my name said right when I get a point or see my name on a website.”

Browne is a part of the National Women’s Hockey League, playing for the Buffalo Beauts. He has recently re-signed with the Beauts in the offseason.

Browne posted 12 points and tied for the team lead in penalty minutes in the NWHL’s first season.

In an interview with ESPNW, Browne stated that he had planned to undergo sex reassignment surgery after he finished his college career on the University of Maine women’s hockey team.

However, his SRS was halted. The NWHL announced that competing as a man in a women’s league could put the athlete in violation of the NWHL doping

policy because of the testosterone treatments.

To some, these rules may seem discriminatory, but the NWHL commissioner, Dani Rylan, told ESPNU that they support him.

“It’s really not a big deal when you look at it,” Rylan said. “We’re respecting his name, the pronouns and his request to be his authentic self.”

Since coming out to the public, Browne said he now feels happy that he can be his “authentic self.”

Stories like this and many others are allowing the professional sports community to become more aware of LGBT athletes.

After the Orlando massacre, many organizations acknowledged the attack on the LGBT community, while some struggled to show condolences.

A Rolling Stone article stated that the MLB held a

moment of silence in each of its stadium while the NFL took 12 days to acknowledge the attacks and failed to mention the fact that many of the victims were identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

The coming out of players in the NBA and NFL and the views Americans have on the community has kept professional sports commissioners and team owners silent on their stances on LGBT rights.

The advancement of racial equality has been a more notably recognized issue in the sports community, whereas there has been relative silence on LGBT equality. The NBA particularly has been passive on the issue and sees no change in policy.

Yet, through all of the silence, there is history being made, and it is loud and clear.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, history was made yet again, but this history didn’t involve metals. According to a CNN article, the Human Rights campaign estimated that there were at least 41 openly lesbian, gay and bisexual Olympians.

In the 2012 London Olympics, there were approximately 23 that participated.

There are roughly 9 million LGBT Americans, many of whom support professional sports or play professional sports. Uniquely, through sports, there can be social progress.

Americans love sports, and unifying disconnected people to the central idea of sports is important for future growth and acceptance for the athletes that are also a part of the LGBT community.

Orlando Magic to honor Pulse nightclub victims in home opener

By Emily Kois Assistant Sports Editor @emilykois The Orlando Magic are dedicating their Oct. 26 opening night to the 49 victims who lost their lives in the Pulse nightclub shooting on June 12.

To show their condolences, the team will include a tribute video, highlighting the city’s union since the massacre, and a moment of silence to pay its respects to the victims.

Photo courtesy of Orlando City Soccer Club

There will also be a moment to honor the first responders who went to the scene of the shooting at the gay nightclub.

Beyond having a moment of silence, the organization is going a step further, raising a “49” banner in the arena. The number “49” will be filled with the name of the victims who lost their lives.

Orlando is hosting the game against the Miami Heat. During their summer league game in Orlando,

some of the Heat players, coaches and staff visited a hospital near the nightclub to meet with survivors.

This is more than the Magic showing their support though; all of Orlando’s professional sports teams are joining the movement.

The Magic, Lions, Pride, Predators and Solar Bears will all be selling t-shirts with the #OrlandoUnited slogan.

Proceeds will go to the city of Orlando’s OneOrlando Fund, which was set up

in response to the tragedy at Pulse.

The OneOrlando Fund works in partnership with Equality Florida, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and the National Compassion Fund and exists to support the families of the victims who were killed and the survivors who were physically or mentally harmed in this attack.

Find out more about the OneOrlando Fund by visiting oneorlando.org.

OPINION

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In the zone

Safe spaces on campus are a required resource

By Sydney Van Dreason Staff Writer @sydney_0815 We live in a world where in order to be considered a welldeveloped or fully educated person, you have to try new things and step out of your comfort zone. While venturing out does have benefits, it’s not as essential as society makes it out to be.

A comfort zone is a place where a person can feel safe and secure to be themselves and learn.

If someone feels comfortable in an environment and with certain people, then it seems counterproductive to tell them to do something completely different, just so they have the possibility of developing new attitudes or meeting more people.

I guarantee that almost every day you will hear the advice, to try something new, to step out of personal bubbles.

This so-called simple act is presented to us as leading to some form of success, which is rather persuading and serves to convince the stubborn and doubtful.

Sure, stepping out of a comfort zone may result in the development or improvement of life skills, the meeting of new people and the revelation of a new concept or idea.

By stepping out, you may very well realize that you have a talent that will help you pave out a career path.

These are all good and well but these beneficial results aren’t

always that easy to achieve.

What society doesn’t seem to understand is that not everyone works best outside of their comfort zone.

In a comfort zone, you’ll still meet new people from different backgrounds who will teach you something new every day. You’ll still develop life skills that will help you to think soundly and succeed in the future.

You’ll still be exposed to tough choices and unfair situations that you have to learn to deal with.

If anything, it’s more beneficial to stay in your comfort zone because the people there are more likely to have interests, hobbies and beliefs in common with you, and they’re more likely to understand your mindset and personality.

I’m not recommending that you hole yourself up in your room all day with your only friends binging on Netflix and Pop-Tarts.

You do have to put yourself out there a little; friends just aren’t going to pop up out of nowhere.

But don’t stress yourself out by joining clubs that may not interest you or by trying to be best friends with everyone you meet in class if that’s not what you’re comfortable doing.

The point is that people often find themselves being pressured to step out of their comfort zones and be people they’re not.

We are forcing early action because today’s world — with its advanced technology and updated standards for popularity — demands we play by its standards in order to avoid social suicide.

People should be able to choose how far out of their comfort zone to step — if they want to step out at all — without having to face the fear of being dictated and shamed by society for their choices.

You’re always learning about yourself, and you’ll never stop.

But you should be able to learn by being who you are, not by forcing yourself to take risks and insert yourself into unfamiliar situations.

Stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t always the answer to success.

At FGCU, safe zones are being established across campus to “identify, enlist, and educate allies, who will support and advocate for the LGBT community,” according to the mission statement on the school’s website.

In a way, safe zones act as comfort zones where members of the LGBT community, along with trainers and allies, can gather together, promote understanding of the LGBT culture, make new friends and learn more about themselves in a safe and comfortable environment.

In today’s society, I believe we are slowly progressing to be more understanding of the LGBT community, but some people will always be close-minded and intolerant. If this space is a comfort zone for these people and their Allies, then why should we try to force them to grow and learn where they are not comfortable?

Same question goes for the rest of the people in the world.

•A Safe Zone is an area where any student may feel safe, regardless of sexual orientation or gender.

•Safe Zone Allies include staff, faculty, and students at FGCU who have made the commitment to being a safe and nonjudgmental listener, providing support for LGBT people.

•The Safe Zone symbol is displayed as a visible sign of support and advocacy for all sexual orientations and gender identities. The symbol also means that homophobic and heterosexist comments and actions will not be tolerated.

•Allies display the Safe Zone symbol outside their office, work, or campus space that identifies them as individuals who have completed FGCU Safe Zone training and have chosen to be Allies.

•FGCU holds two or three trainings each semester for those interested in understanding more about the LGBT community, and creating Safe Zone Allies on campus to function as a safe resource and support system.

•To sign up for training, contact the CAPS office at 239-5907950 to sign up for the next training or request a training session for your group. There is no cost for training or materials.

*All information comes from the FGCU Safe Zone Ally Program brochure.

By Sam Palmisano EN Illustration / Audrey Mobley

Hollywood and transgender roles Cisgender actors continue to portray transgender characters

By Emily Ford Editor-in-Chief @152Emily It’s time the transgender community is represented in Hollywood.

Two years ago, in May 2014, Time magazine turned heads with a groundbreaking cover that featured actress Laverne Cox with the headline “The Transgender Tipping Point” to highlight the new era of inclusion in Hollywood.

The cover came 10 months after Cox’s breakout role as Sophia Burset on Netflix’s hit series “Orange Is The New Black.” This was just the start.

The power of entertainment media can be amazing.

Just one outstanding performance by a charismatic and talented actress accelerated change across an entire culture.

Since then, trans people have begun to appear on all different types of reality shows, like TLC’s “I am Jazz,” E!’s “I Am Cait” and Oxygen’s trans model show “Strut.”

Also, trans characters are finally being represented in scripted TV shows such as Amazon’s “Transparent,” Netflix’s “Sense8” and Freeform’s “The Fosters.”

And, even though these are success stories that put trans people front-andcenter, Hollywood seems to still have a hard time letting go of the idea that putting a male actor in a dress, wig and makeup is an accurate portrayal of a transgender woman.

For years, Americans have sat down to watch movies and TV series

starring male actors pretending to be trans women.

By casting actors like Eddie Redmayne (“The Danish Girl”) and Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club”) as transgender women, viewers have received two strong — and wrong — messages: 1. that being transgender is an act, a performance, just a matter of playing dressup and 2. that, in the end, a transgender woman is really just a man.

Matt Bomer is the latest actor in the hot seat after news broke that he will play a transgender woman in his upcoming film, “Anything.”

After the film’s cast announcements, Emmy-nominated trans filmmaker and actress Jen Richards responded with a series of tweets expressing her concerns and disappointments with Hollywood’s casting of transgender roles.

Without a doubt, Bomer, who is one of Hollywood’s most well-known and successful out gay actors, and Mark Ruffalo, the executive producer of the film and longtime supporter of the LGBT community, took on the project with the upmost sincerity.

Ruffalo admitted in a tweet that he recommended Bomer for the part because of the “profound experience” he had with the actor while filming their movie, “The Normal Heart.”

I understand that “Anything” had some outside influences, but in the end, by deciding to put another cisgender male in the role of a transgender woman, it’s just another reminder that, in the eyes of so many people, transgender women are

seen as just men.

That message is not only toxic; it is also dangerous. Movies and TV series are very powerful and can influence viewers around the world.

This is what prompts lawmakers in states like North Carolina to believe that transgender woman must use the men’s restroom because, in the end, we are forcing these people to be something they are not.

It’s what motivated James Dixon to murder Islan Nettles, a 21-year-old black trans woman, as she walked down the street, minding her own business.

At Dixon’s trial, he said he attacked her because, after flirting with her, his friends teased him saying, “That’s a man.”

Not wanting to look like a fool, Dixon felt that his manhood was being threatened, so he killed her.

So, to all the writers, directors, producers and showrunners out there, if you don’t see how casting men to play transgender women has dangerous, real-world implications or if you’re just concerned with the star power involved so you can get top dollar for your movie or show, don’t write transgender characters into your projects.

The concerning thing is there has always been a solution to this: start taking a look into actors and actresses who are actually transgender.

When hired, transgender men and women don’t need to spend weeks — or even months — preparing and getting into character to play a trans person. They can walk in on day one, ready to deliver an

Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore Matt Bomer is the latest actor in the hot seat after news broke that he will play a transgender woman in his upcoming film, “Anything.”

authentic performance.

There’s also the added benefit of having someone on set that can tell you when something is turning into a stereotype that ultimately will not translate well to the public.

Jeffrey Tambor’s portrayal of Maura in the show “Transparent” is a different case. The show is following the story of an older trans woman who is just beginning her transition.

Director, Jill Soloway, made the amazing decision to bring transgender people into production — both on-camera and off. This

conscious collaboration is why the show is so successful with audiences, critics and transgender people.

I know I have talked a lot about roles for trans women, but it’s also time to write stories about transgender men.

Trans men are nearly invisible in Hollywood, creating the image that they just don’t exist. That’s not the case.

But, let’s not stop at just transgender individuals playing trans roles. Let’s get ahead of the curve and start hiring these actors to play non-trans roles. We’re

heading in that direction anyway, so the first films and TV shows to get there will receive the credit of realizing that trans people can play any role.

It’s time for Hollywood to give the transgender acting community a shot.

Let them audition. Let them show you their craft.

Listen to their stories and become inspired.

The reality of lived trans experience is so much more interesting — and so much more powerful — than the imitation Hollywood has marketed for years.

OUTREACH

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Celebrating pride through art Alliance for the Arts hosts the SWFL Pride Festival in Fort Myers

EN Photo / Georgette French Three gentlemen dressed up for the SWFL pride event, stood together to watch the transvestite show. Each of the men were volunteers at the event, and wore bright colors and lipstick to show support for the LGBT community.

By Georgette French Outreach Editor @GeorgetteFrenc Three colorfullydressed men with painted faces and rainbow flag-capes, laughed together after a beautiful transvestite took the stage to lip sing to P!nk’s “Funhouse.”

DJ Madmel and B103.9 provided the music for contestants who lip sang for money that would go toward the SWFL Pride parade. The parking lot of the parade was completely filled with guests who had to park on the street just to attend.

People all over Lee and Collier counties were invited to come out and show their colors in support for the LBGT community on Oct. 8 at the Alliance for the Arts in downtown Fort Myers where the theme of the year was “Equality Needs You.” For the first time this year, the Pride of SWFL were able to extend their

festival two hours later than normal, though security was tight throughout the event. This year marked the 8th year for the SWFL pride event.

Police officers searched any bags that were brought into the festival grounds and then tagged with a rainbow band to identify them.

This security measure comes on the heels of the recent hate crimes towards the LGBT community, such as the Pulse shooting and the attempted bombing of the Pride Parade in California.

Despite the security measures, guests weren’t hindered in what they could do. Many people came to enjoy the food, music and entertainment.

The festival allowed guests to come out and show their support and connect with those in the LGBT community - guests like Mariann Gwinn “I’m here to support for my daughter,” said Gwinn, a single mother to Kiyana

pride in being a part of year’s event as well as the Gwinn – a freshman at the begun to bond.

Along with Gwinn, a community that has preparations for next year’s San Diego State University in California. “She came out students who identified accomplished so much and event.

Aside from donations, as bisexual last year while themselves as a part of the yet, received so much hate.

To show their support guests could also decorate we were shopping for prom LGBT community, mothers dresses and I wanted to with their children, fathers, and rise above the violence, posters to commemorate and all manner of other guests could donate money those who lost their cry.”

Gwinn explains that she people from all walks at any of the vendors lives during the Orlando was raised in a Christian of life and all manner available, ranging from food shooting, as a reminder home that frowns upon the of personality and style stands to souvenirs. that, despite the pride the One vendor, the Pride community felt, they still idea of homosexuality, so attended the event.

Several vendors of SWFL, sold T-shirts for had a long way to go before when her daughter came out to her, she didn’t know who support the LGBT $10 to help raise money for they are fully accepted. how to feel or what to community through charity the LGBT community and work, dressed up to show to cover costs from this expect.

She especially didn’t know how to react when Kiyana brought home her first girlfriend.

“I just tried to be open to everything. It was a lot, but I think what helped me cope was knowing that she [Kiyana] was okay,” Gwinn said. “It’s a small step, but I’m trying.”

Now, Gwinn shows her support for the LGBT community by attending festivals like the SWFL Pride Fest, where she facetimes her daughter to EN Photo / Georgette French show her the dancers and singers on the stage. She Guests at the festival surround a transvestite performer as she sings “Funhouse” by P!nk. Money given to the says that’s how they have performers went to benefit the Pride of SWFL as well as money from vendors and merchandise.

Pride of SWFL

Pride of SWFL gives support to the LGBT community

By Romina Combe Staff Writer @RominaValeria05 The Pride Center of SWFL is an organization that aims to inspire, empower and foster trust and equality for everyone in the LGBT community.

The organization mostly focuses on the transgender community, but also supports and provides education for all of the LGBT community.

The organization provides support groups for transgender individuals and their families every month.

The organization is run by volunteers, including trained and certified professionals, as well as board members.

At the moment, there are a total of nine board members, all with vast varieties of knowledge and expertise in the LGBT community.

This organization puts a great amount of focus on making sure that there is diversity in the representing voices and that they are heard on the board. This includes youth representation as well.

The pride center also administers a support group for transgender and gender-questioning adults, teens, children, their family and friends.

These support groups are operated by professional psychotherapists – meaning they are either certified transgender-care

therapists or mental health counselors – as well as two group leaders that come from the LGBT community.

These professionals also have more than 10 years of experience in operating support groups with the respective population.

The support groups are held twice a month in Fort Myers at St. John the Apostle, 3049 McGregor Boulevard, three times a month in Cape Coral, 2503 Del Prado Blvd. S, Suite 410, and once a month in Naples, Mental Health Association office, 2335 9th Street N. Aside from hosting different support groups, this organization also holds different events and fundraisers throughout the year.

EN Photo / Georgette French The Pride Center of SWFL is an organization that was present at the Pride Festival in Fort Myers. The organization sold t-shirts to guests in order to raise money for its organization.

NEWS

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Death toll in Haiti rises after Hurricane Matthew

Photo courtesy of Flickr People hang clothes off of a fallen tree in Les Cayes, Haiti, a city that was deeply effected by Hurricane Matthew. The storm touched down on the island on Tuesday, Oct. 4. with winds up to 145 mph., and has killed hundreds.

By Taylor Crehan News Editor @taylorcrehan The death toll in Haiti has reached about 1,000 due to Hurricane Matthew, according to a report made

by Reuters.

The storm, which touched down on the island on Tuesday, Oct. 4 with winds that reached up to 145 mph, has officially

killed 336 people, according to the Central Protection Agency.

According to a Reuters report, authorities have started burying the dead in mass graves in Jeremie, Haiti.

The storm, which lessened to a Category 1 after making landfall in South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 8, has “completely destroyed” almost 90 percent

of Southern Haiti, according to BBC News.

Reuters also reported that several deaths were caused by falling trees, overflowing rivers and flying debris.

Over 28,000 houses have been damaged according to Haitian officials.

Phone lines and electricity has been down since the storm hit, and at least 350,000 people are in need

of some kind of assistance following the hurricane.

According to a report from Reuters, Haitian officials are now concerned with cholera spreading across the country, and are focused on getting water, food and medication to those living in shelters.

While the storm has lost strength and headed out to sea after touching down in North Carolina, both Haiti

and several states in the U.S. are still feeling effects.

In North Carolina, floodwaters continue to rise, flowing over river banks threatening dams and hitting record levels. More than two dozen people have died in the U.S. from the storm and its aftermath.

The East Coast of Florida was deeply effected

by Hurricane Matthew.

Buildings have crumbled

and houses have been destroyed.

Flagler College, a private liberal arts college in St. Augustine, Florida, experienced extreme flooding during the storm, with flooding damage reaching up to four floors in dormotories.

The race is on for Lee County Sheriff

By Zack Rothman Staff Writer @zack_rothman Mike Scott, Lee County Sheriff incumbent, earning 85 percent of the vote in the GOP primary, recently defeated his party challenger, Stephanie Eller — narrowing the race down to just two.

Scott’s opponent and former employee, James Didio, is running unaffiliated (NPA), something someone has yet to successfully do in Lee County.

Despite that the office of Sheriff in Lee County currently demands over 40 percent of the county’s operating budget, or $166.5 million with 1,600 people under his command, many voters don’t seem to know who the candidates are.

Carter Hargreaves, a 22-year-old graduate student at FGCU seeking M.A. in occupational therapy, said, “I’m not even sure who is running for Sheriff.”

Scott first took charge of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office in 2004, becoming the 12th person to oversee the agency since 1887. If Scott were to win this November, it would be his fourth term in office.

According to The News-Press — who has endorsed Scott for all of his four terms — during his most recent term, the crime rate has dropped for non-violent crimes, like theft and burglaries, but increased one percent for violent crimes. Drug arrests are up 58 percent,

compared to this time last year, from 955 to 1,512.

Scott told The NewsPress, “It’s not fair to law enforcement. There has been a change in society.

The good guys have become the bad guys. The majority of the people get it. It’s the vocal minority that creates hysteria.”

Scott has also opposed President Obama on certain gun control measures in the past.

Unlike his opponent, Didio doesn’t have a newspaper in his pocket.

He, on the other hand, relies on going door to door himself campaigning for the job. Didio recently attended a meeting of the FGCU College Republicans. The club has been growing in attendance since the start of the fall semester thanks to Didio and other speakers of the same caliber.

Melany Hernandez, Secretary of the FGCU College Republicans, said, “What helped us is how involved we are with the guest speakers. They told people, and then those people told people, and it created a domino effect.”

Before becoming a deputy with the Lee County Sheriff’s department in 2006, the husband and father of two worked as a non-certified officer directing traffic for the City of Sanibel while also working at two body shops until he became of age to attend the police academy.

Throughout the years Didio has assisted in multiple special operations

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia A parked Lee County Sheriff car sits outside of a baseball field. Mike Scott (R), who is currently serving as the Lee County Sheriff, defeated his party challenger Stephanie Eller by 85 percent, leaving him with one apponent, James Didio. Didio, a former employer of Scott, is running unaffiliated (NPA) which is something that’s a first for Lee County.

including Street Crimes, Field Force, Auto Theft, Narcotics, Marine Unit and the Traffic Unit. After working nights for six years straight to focus on getting DUI’s in between calls, Didio was recognized

by Mothers Against Drunk Driving for arresting 100 suspected drunk drivers in 2010. Didio has been recognized on multiple occasions for his bravery, skills and on the job knowledge by his former boss, Scott.

“I would consider him a little more than an acquaintance,” Didio said, “we are not the best of friends. I have nothing against him and I don’t

think he has anything against me.”

Didio and Scott still run into each other quite often.

As it turns out, one of Didio’s auto body repair shops, McGregor Auto Body and Detail, is just across the street from the Sheriff’s house. “Every time he pulls up to that red light, he gets to look at my business and I get to look at him and wave,” Didio said.

“No hostile actions — we’re not slinging mud, I don’t think he has to and I don’t want to.”

As reported by The News-Press, Didio has pointed to low morale, which he said stems largely from low pay, as a

department problem under Scott’s leadership.

Didio told The NewsPress, “This has turned into a training agency.

People come here for a couple years and get experience, then they leave for other departments where they make twice as much money for the same job.”

Despite the fact that Didio has no vocal proponents in the current Lee County Sheriff’s department, it doesn’t mean he has no friends there.

Scott’s primary challenger, Eller, had seven people from the department speak on her

behalf — all seven were soon after let go by the department.

Derrick Boysen, former Sanibel Police Officer and colleague of Didio, who now resides in North Carolina said, “James was sort of a mentor to me. I learned a lot from him. Every time we went on a call you could tell the person we were dealing with meant more to him than anything else.”

Even though there is a chance history is made and Didio wins on Nov. 8, Scott, has the upper hand as the incumbent — still, both candidates face the struggle of obscurity.

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B2 COMING OUT ISSUE EAGLE NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 The official student produced newspaper at Florida Gulf Coast University since 1997.

AGLE NEWS Editor-in-Chief Emily Ford

SERVICE LEARNING Eagle News receives these volunteer opportunities from the FGCU Office of Service Learning every week

editorinchief@eaglenews.org Advertising and Operations Manager Nikki Henkell

businessmanager@eaglenews.org Managing Editor Rachel Iacovone

managing@eaglenews.org News Editor Taylor Crehan

news@eaglenews.org Assistant News Editor Travis Brown

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Service-Learning Events & Opportunities

p.m., and at the event, Friday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Contact Adam Leicht at 239-765-4222 or email adamleicht@fortmyersbeachfl.gov.

>> FGCU Celebrates Campus Sustainability Month. Many opportunities to serve on campus with Eagle’s Pride Campus Cleanup, Tree Campus USA and the Fall Trail Clean-up. Events occurring Oct. 14, 21, 28 and 29. For more info on how to help at the events and sign up, please contact servicelearning@fgcu.edu. >> St. Michael Lutheran School’s third annual Fall into Fun Festival is Friday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Help families celebrate fall and the beginning of the holiday season. A variety of assists are needed. To find out more, please contact Tina Gelinas at gelinas5@ ymail.com or 239-565-7667.

>> Love Halloween? Love animals? Love kids? The Naples Zoo needs help with candy tables, activity stations, a trick or treat trail and games on Oct. 21 to 23, shifts are at 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Contact Jessica Deering at 239-262-5409, ext 136 or jessica@napleszoo.org. >> Lighthouse of Collier Center for Blindness and Vision Loss is in need of help with marketing and outreach, to include Facebook, LinkedIn and writing press releases. Please contact Robin Goldstone Garcia at info@lighthouseofcollier.org or phone 239-430-3934.

>> Family Fright Night Halloween Party at Bay Oaks Rec Center is in need of decorators, haunted house builders, actors and other frightful assists. Work hours, now through Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. – 6

Production Manager Audrey Mobley

productionmanager@eaglenews.org Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor Allie Taylor

entertainment@eaglenews.org Assistant Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor Julia Browning

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Sports Editor Miguel Rodriguez

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The world in brief Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Colombian President Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has been awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end Colombia’s longrunning civil war with FARC rebels. The Nobel committee made the announcement in Oslo, Norway on Friday, Oct. 7 but five days later, voters in Colombia narrowly rejected Santos’ government’s peace deal he has spent years negotiating.

Assistant Sports Editor

Two former nuns get married Two former nuns, Federica and Isabel, got married in Italy after falling in love on a mission trip. The pair met at a rehabilitation center for drug addicts three years ago. To continue their relationship, the nuns had to formally cut ties with the Vatican and Catholic Church. The couple is one of the first same sex couples to enter a civil union in Italy and received a blessing from controversial ex-priest Franco Barbero, who was excommunicated from the church due to his support of gay marriage.

Emily Kois

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Opinion Editor Luke Janke

Oslo, Norway

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Turin, Italy

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Kabul, Afghanistan Karachi, Pakistan

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assistantmedia@eaglenews.org ENTV Director Cassidy Mace

entvdirector@eaglenews.org ENTV Assistant Director Katie Hopkins

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Attack on Shiite shrine in Kabul kills at least 14 On Tuesday, Oct. 11 at least 14 people were killed in a militant attack on a Shiite shrine in the Afghan capital, Kabul. According to the Interior Ministry Spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi, another 26 people were wounded from the attack.

The dead included 13 civilians and one policeman. There was only one gunman who was later shot dead by police. The attack took place as Shiites gathered ahead of Wednesday’s Ashoura.

Pakistani journalist barred from leaving the country Cyril Almeida, a prominent Pakistani journalist was banned from leaving Pakistan for a column he wrote. The report was written for the ‘The Daily Dawn’ – one of Pakistan’s leading English language papers said the civilian government had clashed with military chiefs over the issue of homegrown militancy. Almeida attempted to fly out Monday, Oct. 10 and was informed that he was placed on the Pakistan’s Exit Control List, which prevented him from leaving the country.

ENTV News Content Manager Nora Reca

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Southwest Florida Small Business Resource Network to host networking event

By Taylor Crehan News Editor @taylorcrehan The Southwest Florida Small Business Resource Network, a program sponsored by FGCU’s Small Business Development Center, will host a networking and discussion event for interested students.

On Thursday, Oct. 20 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Connors Steak and Seafood in Gulf Coast

Town Center, students can learn about getting small business loans.

Barbara Melvin, vice president and community lender at First Florida Integrity Bank will be speaking at the event.

Melvin will discuss things that small business owners need to know before securing a loan, from the three questions every potential lender asks, to five important elements a banker reviews in a loan package.

The SBRN “provides a reliable connection between seasoned professionals who service the small business area and the small business owner,” according to a press release.

For more information on the resource network, visit www. sbrn.org.

The event will begin with networking during lunch, followed by the topic discussion.

Entry is $20 per person for members, and $30 for guests

and unaffiliated small business owners.

To register for the event, visit http://fsbdcswfl.wordpress. c o m /s b r n - l u n c h - s e r i e s / .

The registration deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 19.

For more information on the event, contact Lorna Kibbey, SBDC coordinator at 239-7453700.

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Eagle News, the official student media group at Florida Gulf Coast University since 1997, represents the diverse voices on campus with fairness.

Eagle News, founded in 1997, is the student newspaper at Florida Gulf Coast University.

The newspaper is the only student produced publication on campus and is entirely student run.

One copy of the print edition is free anyone, but limited one per reader.

We select content for our publication and our website that is relevant to the student body, faculty and staff. Members are committed to reporting with accuracy and truth. Our purpose is to encourage conversations about issues that concern the on-campus community.

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Newspaper theft is a crime. It is also a terribly effective form of censorship.

While most college newspapers are distributed without charge, they are certainly not “free.”

Eagle News is published weekly during the fall and spring semesters and monthly in the Publishing a student newspaper is an expensive undertaking. Like other summer, with the exception of holiday breaks and types of theft, newspaper thieves deprive rightful owners of their valuable examination periods. property.

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If you are interested in obtaining more than one issue, please contact the editor-in-chief in writing.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 EAGLE NEWS COMING OUT ISSUE B3

Police Beat Eagle News writes this beat every week from the official UPD weekly summary Late night swim A complainant contacted UPD on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 2:45 a.m. stating that there were approximately 20 people that had broken into the gate of the SoVi pool and were swimming. By the time that a UPD officer arrived at the scene, the pool was empty.

Intoxicated in Biscayne A complainant contacted UPD on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9:50 p.m. stating that there was an

intoxicated individual in Biscayne Hall in South Village that was not being cooperative. The individual was yelling and banging doors on the first floor, refusing to obey and refusing to give information about himself. Several RAs were present.

An officer brought the individual to UPD at 10:03 p.m. for causing a disturbance. At 11:26 p.m., the UPD officer escorted the individual to Lee County Jail, who was booked for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence.

Anti-peeping Tom On Friday, Oct. 7 at 4:25 a.m. an RA in North Lake Village called UPD stating that students were calling saying that there was someone knocking on their door claiming to be UPD, then claiming to be an RA. They were concerned because the peephole on their door seemed to be covered up.

Bear sighting

a.m. a complainant called 9-1-1 due to a bear sighting. The call was directed to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office through crisis alert. The complainant said that she had seen a brown bear about three feet tall on the sidewalk near the Wellness Center before walking into the bushes behind Howard Hall. An officer was advised, but was unable to locate the animal near the Wellness Center, McTarnaghan Hall, Howard Hall, Merwin Hall, Edwards Hall or the library lawn.

New phone, who dis?

On Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., a complainant called UPD stating that she was receiving “strange” text messages on her phone and wished to report it to the police.

The subject had received five calls from a number that she did not recognize and a private caller. The complainant was advised that she could block the numbers. She did not receive any text messages, and stated that she stopped answering the unknown calls.

On Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 8:36

Student Government Pro Tempore removed from position

EN Photo / Brad Young Student Government Senate President Jason Finan addresses the senate during an SG meeting. Bradley Berry, former SG Pro Tempore, was recently removed from his position during the SG meeting on Oct. 11. A replacement will be appointed during the next meeting on Oct. 18.

By Travis Brown Assistant News Editor @teebrowns FGCU Government

Student senators

voted to remove Pro Tempore Bradley Berry from office after discussing claims of unprofessional conduct during their Tuesday Oct. 11 meeting.

Sen. Miguel Castro made a motion to remove Berry from his position.

Another senator returned fire asking why that should be. Castro responded by

reading the requirements of the job, followed by examples of how Berry unfulfilled them.

Berry was also accused of telling potential SG senator applicants that they were not qualified.

However, according to SG advisor Julie Gleason, the minimum requirements are a 2.5 GPA, nine credit hours of enrollment, and good standing with the university, things that Berry was accused of looking over while reviewing applications.

Sen. Esteban Tavel added to the debate in the support of removing Berry from the Pro Tempore position by providing additional examples of people he knew personally who were ignored by Berry, going on to add “Honestly, that is completely biased

and that is inappropriate behavior.”

Many senators joined in giving their reasoning for why he should no longer hold a paid position within SG. They addressed their peers and, seemingly indirectly Berry as well, with comments of unprofessionalism, things that were noted as overlooked by Pro Tempore Berry.

Other senators provided input, stating that at times, Berry has belittled others.

At the opening of the opposition, SG Secretary Jalisa White fumbled her words only being able to mutter, “Obviously as you guys know I am friend with the Pro Tempore, and it’s...,” she paused before continuing. “I had a lot of fun working with him

and so… I’m sorry,” she proceeded to quietly sit back down before providing a defense for Berry.

A roll call vote was carried after the dismissal of Berry from the senate’s meeting room. The motion was then passed. Berry did not return after receiving the news that the senate had voted to remove him from the position. The meeting proceeded into brief announcements before being adjourned.

Appointment for the new Pro Tempore position will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 p.m., along with second and first readings of several bills.

Study Abroad Fair showcases travel opportunities for students

By Tammy Falcon Staff Writer @tamalefalcone This isn’t your usual fair. It’s a fair of pamphlets, books and representatives each at their respective tables, waiting to tell students about the opportunities they can have abroad.

It’s the study abroad fair, a yearly event hosted

by International Services on Wednesday, Oct. 5 alongside Matthew Ryan, the assistant director for study abroad.

This is where students are given the opportunity to find the study abroad program that will fit their needs.

“Coming to these types of things are critical,” Brent Kirkland, a University Studies Abroad Consortium program advisor, said. “It’s all about the research, and the pre-departure process starts here. You want to make sure you choose a program that suits you well.”

FGCU’s study abroad fair houses programs that are faculty-led, private,

big company programs to get students the right information they need.

Some of these programs only do summers and one week, while others go from semesters to a whole year even on a cruise ship.

Usually, students first choose the country they would like to study at and then go from there.

Europe and New Zealand are popular among students studying abroad.

With stacks of booklets and pamphlets in hand, Connie Valli and her friends walk from table to table looking at each program.

“I’m Italian, and I like learning and being with my heritage,” Valli said.

“Probably some more cultural knowledge, maybe learn a new language, meet new people and have fun.”

Students are encouraged to visit Ryan’s office in Reed Hall 122.

“We have lots of organizations we call third-party providers that, although most are not-forprofit, are still competitive and want students to choose their program,” Ryan said. “The benefit

is that there are so many options, but it can also be a negative since it can be overwhelming.”

Ryan also mentions that students who are planning on studying abroad for the first time should take part in the international services weekly information sessions.

There, students will be given information such as the barriers and reasons to study abroad. After that, they can choose one of the programs they were able to see during the study abroad fair.

If you were unable to attend the study abroad fair, or would like more information, the different providers and countries that FGCU has to offer for study abroad are easily accessible online at fgcu. edu/international. There is a section on their website for studying abroad, from scholarships to the providers affiliated with FGCU. EN Photo / Tammy Falcon A student looks at papers with information about studying abroad during the Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

The fair, held by International Services, was held outside where students walking to and from academic buildings could browse a selection of tables.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE Nominees announced for the 2016 AMAs

www.eaglenews.org

Artist of the Year

Adele - Beyonce - Justin Bieber - Drake - Selena Gomez - Ariana Grande - Rihanna - Twenty One Pilots - Carrie Underwood - The Weeknd

New Artist of the Year Un-leashed by T-Mobile

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

By Emily Ford Editor-In-Chief @152emily In 1984, Michael Jackson set the record for having the most American Music Award nominations with 11 nods. Well, in 2016 Drake crushed Jackson’s 32-year-old record with a high mark of 13 nods.

The “Hotline Bling” rapper leads the 2016 AMAs this year with nods in categories including Artist of the Year, Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Album. If he wins in any category, it will be Drake’s first AMA ever.

Rihanna was just behind Drake with seven nods, followed by Adele and Justin Bieber who both picked up five.

The competition for the coveted Artist of the Year award is steep this year, with nominees like Drake, Adele, Beyonce, Bieber, Selena Gomez,

Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Twenty One Pilots, Carrie Underwood and The Weeknd; it’s hard to pick a guaranteed winner.

The AMAs winners are based off of fan votes.

From Monday, Nov. 14 to Thursday, Nov. 17, fans will be able to vote on who they believe Artist of the Year should be, and during this time, it will cut the number of nominees from 10 to five. The winner will be determined by the total of votes received throughout the entire voting period.

If Bieber wins Artist of the Year, he will tie with Taylor Swift for the most Artist of the Year wins, which is three. Also, with Bieber’s eight past wins and this year’s five nods, he just needs to win one to become one of the top 10 AMA winners of all time.

Like Artist of the Year, the category New Artist of the Year has some tough competition. The

Chainsmokers will face off against DNCE, Alessia Cara, Shawn Mendes and Zayn Malik aka ZAYN. AMAs nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected in “Billboard” Magazine and on Billboard.com, including album and digital sales, radio airplay, streaming, social activity and touring.

Winners are selected by the fans by voting at amavote.com or by posting a tweet that includes the nominee’s Twitter handle, the category name and #AMAs within the post(s).

Voting started on Oct. 10 for all categories except New Artist of the Year Unleashed by T-Mobile, which will open on Nov. 2. Fans are only allowed to vote once per day, per platform.

The AMAs will be broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Samsung urges users to exchange Galaxy Note 7s

Alessia Cara - The Chainsmokers - DNCE - Shawn Mendez - ZAYN

Collaboration of the Year

“Don’t Let Me Down” by The Chainsmokers (feat.

Daya) - “One Dance” by Drake (feat. Wizkid & Kyla) - “Work” by Rihanna (feat. Drake) - “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” by Meghan Trainor (feat.

John Legend)

Tour of the Year

Beyonce - Madonna - Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

Video of the Year

“Sorry” by Justin Bieber - “Panda” by Desiigner -“Work” by Rihanna (feat. Drake) >> Check out eaglenews.org for the full list of nominees

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FGCU STUDENTS

HAIRCUT WITH STUDENT ID

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Photo courtesy of Flickr Samsung Galaxy Note 7 users have reported cases of the phone overheating and catching on fire.

By Allie Taylor E&L Editor @journonajourney Samsung is urging those that own the Galaxy Note 7 to shut off their phones immediately, as a technological malfunction has caused the phone to overheat and burst into flames.

In a statement on Samsung’s website, updated Oct. 10, the company “is asking all carrier and retail partners here and around the globe to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note 7.”

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently

investigating the cases involved in the phones.

According to The New York Times, it was unclear when the problems began for the Note 7, but so far the South Korea-traded shares for the Note 7 have fallen more than eight percent. This has caused the company a $17 billion hit to their market value.

Samsung has recalled 2.5 million Note 7s, and halting production for the phone will greatly cost the company.

In a report by CNN Money U.S., analysts at Nomura, the largest retail network in Japan, estimated $9.5 billion in lost sales and $5.1 billion in

lost profit.

Customers are being asked to exchange their current Galaxy Note 7 for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge and replacement of any Galaxy Note 7 specific accessories with a refund of the price difference between devices.

If customers want a full refund, they can contact their point of purchase for the full amount back.

Those who exchange their Note 7 will also receive a $25 gift card, in-store credit, in-store accessory credit or bill credit from select carrier retail outlets.

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SPORTS

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Men’s soccer extends win streak to nine with 3-2 victory over USF

EN Photo / Brad Young

With the nation’s longest win streak on the line, the Eagles scored three goals in 3:47 to extend their win streak to nine.

By Miguel Rodriguez Sports Editor @Miguel_Rod0914 After having its weekend conference matchup against Jacksonville postponed due to Hurricane Matthew, the No. 12 FGCU Men’s soccer team extended its win streak to nine with a 3-2 victory USF. “It was a good win on a tough night,” FGCU head coach Bob Butehorn said.

“We knew in the second half that it was going to

turn. We were going to get our chances, and we knew if we get one we are going to get a few.”

Scoring his third goal in two games, Shak Adams headed home the Eagles game winning goal, capping off a 3:47 period where FGCU scored all three of its goals.

In a back and forth affair in the opening 15 minutes of the match, the Bulls found their rhythm in the final third of the pitch, taking advantage of the Eagles inability to connect

passes in the midfield.

After back-to-back corners, the Bulls found the opening goal in the 27th minute thanks to Lindo Mfeka’s third goal of the season.

With its eight game win-streak on the line, FGCU stepped up its pressure on offense in the final 20 minutes of the half.

The Eagles nearly grabbed the equalizing goal in the dying seconds of the half but Miguel Perez’s volley on goal was kept out

by Spasoj Stefanoivc to

kept USF up 1-0 at the half.

Butehorn’s bench prevailed for him once again, with two of his three goal-scorers, Roubos and Adams, coming off the bench and finding the back of the net.

“It feels good to be a part of the team,” Adams said. “All of this is really a team effort. The coaches have given me a chance to play, and I try to give it my all every time I play.”

Sixteen minutes into the second half, the Eagles aggressive offensive play

paid off when Eli Roubos pulled them level, scoring his first goal of the season sparking the Eagles goal barrage.

Nico Samayoa found the back of the net 56 seconds after Roubos to put FGCU up 2-1 before Adams headed home the Eagles final goal of the game to give them a 3-1 lead with 20 minutes left to play.

Two minutes after FGCU pulled ahead two goals, Melvin Becket pulled a goal back for the Bulls, bringing them within one

goal from breaking FGCU’s national leading win streak.

Despite heavy attacking pressure from USF, the Eagles held the Bulls scoreless in the last 19 minutes of the game to win their ninth straight game 3-2.

FGCU now turns its attention to Atlantic Sun Conference play on Saturday, when they face Stetson on Friday at 7 p.m. at the FGCU Soccer Complex.

FGCU women’s tennis take on three at FGCU Fall Invite

Photo by Linwood Ferguson Sofia Blanno (above), went 1-1 at the FGCU fall invite after winning the singles title at last week’s Bedford Cup.

By Emily Kois Assistant Sports Editor @emilykois The effects of Hurricane Matthew may have diminished the original field of teams, but the FGCU women’s tennis team remained successful over the weekend. The team hosted a trio of teams including UCF, Minnesota and Stetson at the FGCU Tennis Complex Friday through Sunday.

“The ladies have made some great progress already this fall,” said FGCU head coach, Courtney Vernon. “They are committing to the plan and are learning to trust themselves on the court.

I’m excited to see how they grow and what they choose to experience this year.”

For singles play, FGCU

posted a 13-3 overall record over the weekend with nine of those wins coming in straight sets. The Eagles went a perfect 4-0 in singles matches vs. UCF, earning the program’s first win against the Knights.

Also, the Eagles went 5-2 in matches against Minnesota and 4-1 against Stetson.

Some standouts for singles play were from Bridget Forster, who went 3-0 with a win over Minnesota’s Annemarie Emme (6-4, 3-6, 10-6) on Friday, a win against Courtney Cesarini from UCF (6-4, 6-2) on Saturday, and finished the tournament on Sunday with a win over STET’s Katherine Stokes (6-0, 4-0).

Others include, Julianna Curtis, who also went 3-0 with wins over Minnesota’s

Maja Vujic (6-3, 6-2), UCF’s Claudia May (6-2, 6-1), and Minnesota’s Cammy Frei (6-0, 6-3). Breana Stampfli and Sara Kelly were also dominant in play.

In doubles competition, FGCU was just as successful as they were in singles play, winning 10 of 15 matches throughout the weekend.

The Eagles were led by 2016 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Conference duo Julia Ascua and Julianna Curtis, who went a perfect 5-0 as a pair, with three of those matches being decided by four or more points.

Next, the Eagles travel to Gainesville, Florida, for the ITA Southeast Regional from Thursday, Oct. 20 through Sunday, Oct. 23 EN Illustration / Audrey Mobley

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B6 COMING OUT ISSUE EAGLE NEWS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

FGCU volleyball recovers from losing 15-game win streak with 3-0 victory over Lipscomb

By Ashley DeBoer Staff Writer @fgcueaglenews On Saturday night, the FGCU volleyball team defeated Lipscomb in three sets for the first time since 2012, [25-14, 25-18, 25-18].

Playing their first game since losing their 15-game win-steak, the Eagles notched 43 kills and 32 assists.

Leading the way with a good defensive showing for the Eagles, Courtney Stephens led the way with 16 digs.

The first set started out with a quick lead from the Eagles. This set saw EN Photo / Brad Young several kills from Giovanna After suffering their first loss since Aug. 27, the Eagles defeated Lipscomb in straight sets for the first time since 2012.

Borgiotti, Marlene Moeller,

and Amanda Carroll who helped contribute to the Eagles large score gap from the Bisons.

The Eagles capitalized on Bison errors to end the game with an 11 point lead, 25-14.

The Bisons took the lead rather quickly in the second set, forcing the Eagles to take a timeout to get back on their game. The Eagles did just that, mounting a 10 point run.

The Eagle offense stayed relentless in order to gain the lead. After pulling away to 24-17, Carroll slammed down another kill to end set two for the Eagles, 25-18.

With a 2-0 advantage, the Eagles started out the third set in hopes of

sweeping the match. FGCU took the lead at first until the Bisons answered with a three point consecutive run.

Following the Lipscomb’s run, the Eagles continued to go on runs to create a score gap and hold onto the lead.

The Bisons tried to spark a comeback at the end of the match, but were stopped by the Eagles at 18 points. A Bison hitting error sealed the deal for FGCU at 25-18.

The Eagles will now head back to Alico Arena, opening a quick twogame home stand against Jacksonville Friday, Oct.14 at 6 p.m.

FGCU swimming and diving takes fourth in FGCU Classic

By Jesse Martin Staff Writer @JesseMartin247 The Eagles finished in fourth place after the conclusion of the two-day FGCU Classic meet.

The team finished right behind national ranked teams, No. 18 Ohio State and No. 20 LSU. Virginia Tech took third place.

“The girls did a great job finishing off the races,” FGCU Head Coach Dave Rollins said in an FGCU Athletics press release.

“Competing and hanging tough with programs of this caliber gets our girls attention and also gets the attention of the other programs. We have a very strong team, and we’re looking to see if we can build off of this meet and into the rest of the season.”

The Eagles clocked in seven best times in the

eight events held on Friday evening.

FGCU had a solid start to the meet in the 200 medley relay, where they finished second to Ohio State by .1 second with a time of 1:42.64 Freshman Elizabeth Zeiger recorded the ninth-best time in program history in the 400-individual medley with a time 4:21.04, placing third in the event on Friday.

The Eagles ended Friday on a high note, with a second place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:23.28.

Which is 30 seconds faster than the time the relay went in the season opener at the All Florida Invitational.

FGCU continued their success into Saturday’s session, where they turned in season-best times in eight of the nine events

swam.

In the 200-yard butterfly, Christina Kaas Elmgreen finished second with a time of 1:59.22. That time is good enough for an NCAA “B” cut and is the fifth-fastest time in school history.

FGCU senior captain Barbara Caraballo had two third-place finishes on Saturday, one in the 100-backstroke with a time 56.86 seconds, and the other in the 200-individual medley, finishing in 2:03.63 seconds.

The Eagles ended the meet strong with a second EN Photo / Kimberly Smith place finish in the 200-yard Despite losing multiple competitors due to travel complications with Hurricane Matthew, the Eagles finished behind freestyle relay with a time LSU, Ohio State and Virginia Tech. of 1:32.17, finishing right behind Ohio State by only .09 seconds.

FGCU will host its first dual-meet of the season against University of North Florida on Oct. 14 at the FGCU Aquatics Complex.

Shak Adams Position: Forward Freshman 5 feet 6 inches Hometown: Antioch, Tennessee Already totaling 303 minutes as a freshman, Shak Adams has shown that he is a strong offensive force.

In high school, Adams posted 15 goals, 9 assists and was awarded many recognitions.

Adams was named AAA Offensive Player MVP in District 12, ODP Interregional All-Star Team and TopDrawer Soccer Atlanta Combine Boys Best XI. As an Eagle, Adams has been named the Atlantic Sun Conference player of the week and has scored three goals in two games helping the No. 12 FGCU men’s soccer team extend its win streak to nine.

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OPINION

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CNN reacts to: competition When 24-hour news media giant buys Buzzfeed political staff, is media shifting?

By Tatyana Turner Contributing Writer @hope_chronicles Buzzfeed is on the rise as 2016’s innovative source for news and entertainment.

This global network has been known to satisfy the hearts of foodies and cat video enthusiasts, while providing a comedic outlook on national affairs and issues.

Although Buzzfeed has proven its popularity among millennials, it has not been so popular with other generations.

CNN President, Jeff Zucker, issued a statement saying that Buzzfeed isn’t a legitimate source for news. It seems that Zucker may feel a bit threatened by the growing influence Buzzfeed has on the internet.

Although I am a fan of Buzzfeed, I also feel it lacks the basic components to be considered a reliable source of information.

An appropriate source of news pertaining to politics should be unbiased, so the viewers are not easily persuaded from partisan rhetoric.

Buzzfeed actively portrays itself as more liberal than conservative. CNN is well aware of the effect Buzzfeed has on the younger generation when it comes to news and entertainment.

It recently surfaced that CNN has hired two of Buzzfeeds’ top political reporters.

As consumer needs evolve,

With most of its veiwer base focused on millenials, CNN buys out Buzzfeed’s political team in order to connect to a broader audience.

companies have found new ways to reach the audience they are seeking. What better way to do this than poaching your competitor’s top political reporters, right?

It seems that Zucker’s comments come from the realization that CNN needs to improve and connect to a broader audience.

As a millennial, I find

information scrolling through my Facebook news feed – which is where I first found out about Buzzfeed.

I feel the company effiectively relates to its viewers and conveys political information in a way the average American will understand.

Although CNN has legitimate reasons to feel threatened by Buzzfeed, Zucker’s choice of

words sparked an unnecessary feud, which could lead to checks on CNN’s credibility.

Buzzfeed responded to Zucker by listing all the scoops that CNN pursued from their website.

Zucker was also criticized for the close relationship he has with Donald Trump and the possibility that he knowingly enhanced the Trump hype we are now faced with.

Photo courtesy of Adweek.com

Internet news source plays an active role on societal viewpoints and issues and will continue to as technology evolves.

News organizations should strive to be valid sources that are not aimed only for the views on a website, but to inform the people about the issues that are occuring in our communities.

Grab America ‘by the pussy’ again Leaked Trump tape crosses the line from ‘locker room talk’ to sexual assault

With damning tape from 2005 of Trump describing how he would sexually assault a woman, many GOP leaders are denouncing their support for the presidential candidate.

By Zack Rothman Staff Writer @zack_rothman The face of the Republican Party—the person advertising to not only lead, but represent the entire country—boasted about forcing himself onto women.

In a tape from 2005 released on Friday by NBC, Trump said, “Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything…Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.”

The Trump campaign has attempted to nullify by labeling his comments as “locker room talk,” despite the fact that Trump was nowhere near the realm of an actual locker room at the time.

He was, however, at work

— on an Access Hollywood bus parked outside the set of the soap opera “Days of our Lives” located within the property of NBC Studios.

Having played competitive sports my entire life, one could say I was raised in a “locker room culture.”

In all the years I’ve conversed with my teammates — locker room or not — not once have I ever heard anyone brag about forcing themselves on a woman.

Though Trump has apologized for his remarks since the tape’s leakage, his continued attempt to normalize rape culture makes him substantially unfit to lead a progressing nation of more than 318 million individuals — 157 million of which are women.

Tomi Lahren, the bombastic, blonde reporter from The Blaze whose viral rants attacking Hillary Clinton and defending Trump have propelled her to infamy, published a new monologue saying, “This recording does not surprise me at all. Be honest — most of you aren’t shocked, either. It’s Donald Trump, a billionaire businessman and reality star, not the Pope. Is anyone really that taken aback by what he said?”

I’m going to take a guess that the roughly 500,000 Americans each year who are victims of sexual assault were “taken aback” by the remarks of the presidential hopeful. Though he may not be the Pope, he is asking over 300 million people to trust him to protect not just their

liberties and freedoms, but their sanctity of life.

In her segment, Lahren goes on to say, “I think you’re forgetting why we, the voters, chose Trump as our nominee over all of you. We are sick of this holier-than-thou you all parade around in public.”

Really? As if Trump using his fame to warrant the sexual assault of women isn’t acting holier-than-thou.

I find it shocking that people in the media like Lahren are still standing in support of Trump even after many prominent Republicans, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, have denounced their endorsement for the candidate.

Even life-long Republican Glenn Beck — Lahren’s boss

Photo courtesy of Michael Vadon

and founder of The Blaze — has recanted his support for Trump. and has said voting for Clinton would be “the moral high ground.”

Announcing his candidacy for president on June 16, 2015, why did it take nearly 500 days for NBC to unearth the tape of Trump boasting about sexual assault?

After perpetuating on the campaign trail that if elected, he would put Clinton in jail for not releasing her emails, shouldn’t Trump release the rest of the footage of him on the job? If NBC had exclusive access to hours of video featuring Marco Rubio, Scott Walker or Jeb Bush on the job, surely they would be all over it.

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What part of ‘NO’ don’t you understand?

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Rape culture continues to be a key issue socially and politically; women are often threatened and even killed for simply rejecting men.

By Catey Phiel Contributing writer @fgcueaglenews You just want to watch the movie, but he won’t stop inching towards you.

You’ve been hanging out with this person for a while and you’re still feeling it out. You’re not even sure what “it” is.

You are sure, however, that you want “Netflix and Chill” to literally just be you watching “American Horror Story” and eating buffalo chicken together without any romantic or sexual pressure.

You’ve had kind of an awful day. You fought with your mom. You’re mainly here out of obligation and you’re just not into it, OK? These aren’t even your skinny jeans. You hand him the covers, he grabs your hand and pulls it to him aggressively. You want to slap him in the face. Instead

you leave early, cutting the two-star rated movie short.

A couple days later, you find he’s deleted you off of every social media outlet.

I guess it was a blessing, but how petty can a person be? Now any semblance of friendship that was established is completely terminated.

This is probably the extent of it and I guess I should consider myself lucky.

But Caroline Nosal, Lakeeya Walker, Raelynn Vincent, Andrea Farrington, Paris Sashay, Janese TaltonJackson and countless other women suffered significantly worse fates for rejecting the sexual advances of men, men who are delirious in thinking their unwanted advances were compliments and demanded a positive response.

Some of these women

were attacked by men they didn’t even know.

We’ve all heard of slutshaming.

Slut-shaming includes ridiculing and condemning women for being sexual beings, and shaming women for enjoying sex and being in control of their own bodies. Honestly, how dare us.

It’s almost comical that this isn’t common sense.

When women reject men and their bruised egos ignite a violent, psychotic rebuttal, slut-shaming is in full effect.

Women all over the world are being violated, abused and assaulted for saying no. The stories are disturbing and chilling.

When Elliot Rodger stabbed his three roommates to death and went on a killing spree in Isle Vista in 2014, people were horrified. His reason behind the senseless

brutality was even more unsettling. A girl rejected and teased him…when he was 10 years old. Also, he was a 22-year-old virgin and wanted others to suffer for it.

The hashtag #YesAllWomen spread like wildfire, and it solidified how all women are terrified of gender-based violence.

Deanna Zandt is the founder of the Tumblr blog “When Women Refuse,” an electronic collection of horror stories detailing incidents of women suffering at the hands of rejected men.

Of course, these men, like Rodger, were mentally deranged.

But how unnerving is the amount of unstable men walking around “complimenting” our physical features?

So what do we do when a man compliments our legs and then stabs one of them when you don’t

reciprocate? How about when you reject a guy at a bar and he smashes a martini glass in your face? How can we possibly cease this ongoing war on women?

To be honest, I have no idea. And, quite frankly, as women, it shouldn’t be our job to correct it.

This is a matter of basic human rights and the skewed perception men have that women are but willing and able participants with a sexual obligation. It is not our responsibility to correct our behavior and act “appropriately” to appease or keep ourselves safe from the opposite sex.

Jennifer McClearySills, gender activist and director of International Center for Research on Women, was quoted by mic. com saying, “As women, we get used to the idea that we have to prepare

OUTREACH

ourselves, that we have to respond ‘appropriately’ to men’s advances…A man calls out on the street, and you decide: Do you want to ignore him and risk hearing what he says, or give a halfhearted smile and hope it’s enough?”

Like I said, I was lucky.

When boys don’t text back, it feels like the end of the world.

However, it’s not until you hear of another woman in your class, down the street, or next door needing her jaw rewired because she wouldn’t smile and someone decided she never needed to again, that you can truly understand the struggles women go through.

The urge to look up YouTube videos and teach myself karate right now is too real.

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‘God made you who you are’

Alexa Trenk tells her story about coming out and wanting to make a change

By Sebastian Gonzalez Contributing Writer @sgonzalezchacin Alexa Trenk, now 22, realized she was gay when she was just 12 years old and although it took some time for her to accept herself, she finally realizes there was nothing wrong with her or her feelings.

She came out to her mom during her senior year of high school, and her mom didn’t take it lightly.

“She was mostly scared for my life,” Trenk said.

“She was afraid that my life wasn’t going to turn out to be traditional or ‘normal.’”

Trenk’s mother mostly avoided the topic of her daughter’s sexual orientation until Trenk started dating.

Alexa sent her mom a picture of her new girlfriend and was surprised when her mother answered with enthusiasm.

“My mom said that she (Trenk’s girlfriend) looked amazing and that she would love to meet her,” Trenk said. She recalls that text as being a huge moment for her, when she felt like things were normal again.

Trenk later explained that she and her girlfriend

ended up having dinner at Trenk’s parents’ house later that evening and, since then, both her parents began to accept and love her for who she is.

Despite their acceptance, Trenk says that she never officially came out to her father. “We just skipped that conversation altogether,” she said.

“I’m his baby girl and I’m growing up in a nontraditional way, as far as society,” Trenk said of her father, who grew up as Jewish orthodox.

As a member of the Jewish Orthodox church, she explained that Judaism is divided into three schools of thought: orthodox, conservative and reform. The fundamental difference between them is that orthodox Judaism has a more direct approach of the Torah, and the laws in it are sacred and cannot be changed.

Reform Judaism, however, says the Torah is a guide, created by God, for Jews to understand their surroundings, but they don’t take it literally. They see it as a holy document that is rooted in the past.

Conservative Jews, like Trenk, exist in the middle of orthodox and reform Judaism, and while they practice

the religion, it does not define them. Trenk mentioned that being Jewish wasn’t everything she was, nor did it make too much of a difference in how she viewed the world or how she lived her life.

In fact, when asked if her religion defines homosexuality as a sin, she said it didn’t.

“God made you who you are, so why would God make you a sin?” she said.

She also said she’s glad more churches are becoming accepting and open for the LGBT community, although she understands that there are still big challenges in front of her and the rest of the LGBT community.

“Some people still believe in conversion therapy,” she said. Included in that list of people who still believe in the unscientific practice of conversion therapy is Indiana governor Mike Pence, Donald Trump’s running mate for the presidency.

Trenk explained that she’s never taken part in that type of therapy, but said that men have suggested that maybe she wasn’t really gay, that maybe she just hasn’t met the right guy, and even suggested that they can change that.

EN Photo / Sebastian Gonzalez Alexa Trenk discusses that despite growing up in a non-traditional way, her parents have expressed full support for her and her future partners.

“It’s offensive, really, to hear that,” Trenk said. “You think you’re this big person, and you’re so attractive that you can change someone, but you really can’t.”

Despite the way people may treat her, Trenk, like many other members of the LGBT community, continues to celebrate life and enjoy participating in all the

LGBT celebrations she can.

She’s celebrated pride in Fort Lauderdale, Saint Petersburg and Miami, and attended the SWFL pride event, held on Saturday, Oct. 8.“It was fun to be in that environment again,” she said.

Alexa is a senior environmental studies major, with a minor in biology, at

FGCU, and although she is still thinking about which career path she wants to take, she thinks a lot about policy making.

“Either for environmental studies or LGBT rights,” she said.

Perhaps these will be the two topics that will define our generation.

Agency of the Week Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals and resources across America to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children who might otherwise go hungry. Many schools in Southwest Florida welcome your help, including Colonial Elementary and James Stephens Elementary in Fort Myers and the Unity Charter School of Cape Coral.

Upcoming events where you can also serve: Halloween at the Mercado on Oct. 27, and the BaconFest at the Naples Airport on Nov. 12. For more information about helping out at one of the above schools, or at one of the events, please contact Taylor Toreno at tltoreno5768@eagle.fgcu.edu.