The Daily Illini: LGBTQ+ Edition 2022 by The Daily Illini

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SEBASTIAN HOLT & JULIA EVERSMANN THE DAILY ILLINI

NEWS

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

UI student assaulted in apartment By Willie Cui News Editor

On March 29, a University student was assaulted in her apartment on the 300 block of West Armory Avenue by a man pretending to be a maintenance worker for Ameren. According to an email sent by the University, the offender was allowed into the apartment under the assumption he would be conducting maintenance. He then entered a bedroom and touched the student’s leg without consent. This incident followed a string of reports that someone claiming to be an Ameren employee was knocking on the doors of residents and asking to see their electric bills, the report said. The University of Illinois Police Department has not been able to

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1001 S. Wright Street Champaign, IL 61820 (217) 337-8300

verify whether the offender was actually an employee of Ameren, and the incident remains under investigation, according to the email. UIPD recommends residents in the area lock their doors and windows even while they’re there and to not allow anyone into their residence who they don’t know or whose identity they cannot verify. Additionally, UIPD also advises residents to beware of scams involving people who claim to work for energy and utility companies, who have been reported to use aggressive tactics to pressure residents into making financial decisions. JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI Residents should call 911 if some- Students were notified of an assault at the 308 East one refuses to leave after being told Armory building on March 29. The offender claimed to. to be a maintenance worker and entered a student's apartment and bedroom, touching her leg without williec2@dailyillini.com consent. The Daily Illini is the independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The newspaper is published by the Illini Media Co. The Daily Illini does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the University of Illinois administration, faculty or students. All Illini Media Co. and/or The Daily Illini articles, photos and graphics are the property of Illini Media and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the publisher.

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LIFE & CULTURE

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

GWS Club connects members to social justice issues New RSO cultivates relationships between students, department By Vivian La Assistant News Editor

The GWS Club, a new RSO, wants to connect students to the many social justice and gender equality activities on campus. The club, whose name is an acronym for Gender & Women’s Studies, started in January after Michael Jacobson, sophomore in LAS and president of the club, realized a general group for the subject didn’t exist on campus. Jacobson said there’s a lot of wonderful RSOs on campus dedicated to specific topics, such as sexual health or transgender activism, but nothing that was broad and could allow students to explore different interests. “There is no one club which kind of integrated this intersectional approach, which we are told about over and over again in all of our different classes,” Jacobson said. “So a big part of this was basically applying what we’ve learned and making this into a reality.” Unlike most new RSOs, which start in the fall to take advantage of Quad Day and an influx of new students, GWS Club has had to adapt to some challenges. It’s been important for them to update their social media about events and advertise the RSO throughout the department, said Claire Accardo, junior in LAS and the club’s secretary. “It’s been kind of hard since we just started,” Accardo said. “We meet every other week, as we’re just trying to bring people together.” So far, the club has held discussions about careers and hosted guest speakers from the department. Accardo said they’ve done fun activities too, like getting together for hot chocolate. Mimi Thi Nguyen, professor and chair of the Department of Gender & Women’s Studies, said in an email statement that she’s “absolutely thrilled” about the student initiative behind the club’s formation. “I can’t wait to figure out together how the department can further collaborate with them to support feminist inquiry and community building,” Nguyen stated. Tasha Robles, academic program coordinator for the Department of Gender & Women’s Studies and adviser for GWS Club, said she hopes to connect the department to the issues happening in

JAMES HOECK THE DAILY ILLINI

A new RSO, the GWS Club, meets at the Gender & Women's Studies building, 1205 W. Nevada St., Urbana, every other week to provide students interactions with social justice and gender equality activities on campus. the community. Part of this involves collaboration with other related RSOs on campus, according to Jacobson. “A big goal of ours is if we can grow strong enough to actually engage in activism, and we don’t just serve as this place for direct people toward activist groups,” Jacobson said. Campus-related issues are also on the GWS Club’s radar. Sexual assault and resources for victims comes to mind for Accardo. “We were talking a couple weeks ago about a sexual assault on campus and that being a huge issue, and it going underreported or (reported) under assault, not taking it seriously or not holding perpetrators accountable,” Accardo said. The 2019 Campus Climate Report — the most recent one — conducted by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, surveyed students about experi-

ences of sexual misconduct. According to the report, one in five women and one in 24 men reported an experience of sexual assault since starting at the University. Women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, Greek-affiliated students and people with a disability were more likely to report an experience of sexual misconduct, the report found. Another issue that the club is concerned with is the lack of physical spaces for students in the department. In October, the College of LAS announced that they’re planning a new building for ethnic and gender & women’s studies. The current department building, located on Nevada Street, requires lots of repairs, according to club members. “Everything is always up in the air until they actually get started on construction,” Jacobson said. “If there aren’t repairs being done short term, then the

goal is long-term destruction.” Above all, Jacobson said the club should be a place to interact with others who have similar goals. “If this is what you’re passionate about, and this is what you want to do, then we can connect with people who want to do that,” Jacobson said. To Bhavana Khanna, junior in LAS who oversees academics for GWS Club, the RSO is both an application of her studies and a reminder that issues of gender and equity are important in all aspects of society. “People are trying to undo the history of discrimination and oppression that’s been happening and in order to do that we need to educate ourselves about where to start, and I think gender studies is a great place to start,” Khanna said. “It’s relevant everywhere you go.” vla2@dailyillini.com

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

LGBTQ+ community makes a home in Allen Hall By Ashleigh Kendrick Contributing Writer

At 1005 W. Gregory Drive in Urbana sits Allen Hall — a four-story residence hall where over 650 students live every year. Inside Allen, students will find creative labs, over 20 active student groups and the Unit One Living-Learning Community. Besides those resources, LGBTQ+ students will also discover an inclusive home. From having a gender-inclusive wing to a support group called Q, Allen Hall attracts a large LGBTQ+ population. Students made a home in Allen, utilizing resources meant to create a safe space and make life-long connections with others who are similar. Laura Haber has been the academic & program director of Allen Hall’s Unit One LLC since 1999. The Unit One LLC is the largest resource available, comprised of all Allen Hall students, and its purpose is to engage residents through artistic outlets. Over the years, Haber witnessed the development of the gender-inclusive wing, 1 North, and the beginning of the student-led LGBTQ+ support group: Q. Haber said Q provides a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students and those who are questioning their sexual identity. “Part of the reason Allen Hall has historically been a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ students is that Unit One has sought to be a welcoming place for a lot of folks who may feel marginalized,” Haber said. Orion Taraszkiewicz, sophomore in LAS, lives in 1 North with their best friend who is transgender. Taraszkiewicz was relieved and excited when they learned about the gender-inclusive wing in Allen Hall. “We had to get a gender-inclusive room or else we would have had to go through a ton of paperwork in order to room together,” Taraszkiewicz said. Taraszkiewicz said living in 1 North also provided a comfortable living space that allowed them to think about their own gender identity. “It was only earlier this year that I was starting to get through my whole gender situation because I was realizing that I identify more as nonbinary,” Taraskiewicz said. “So being in a gender-neutral hall helped confirm that, and it makes me feel a lot more comfortable.” Nora Danaher, freshman in ACES, is a queer woman who also lives in 1 North. Danahar said they were drawn

“Being in a genderneutral hall helped to confirm (my identity), and it makes me feel a lot more comfortable.” Orion Taraszkiewicz Sophomore in LAS

SEBASTIAN HOLT THE DAILY ILLINI

toward Allen Hall because they felt more comfortable living in places with people who understand them. “I am kind of more comfortable around people who aren’t conforming cisgender,” Danaher said. “It feels like they understand my experiences as a queer woman.” Haber said Allen Hall is a “small college within a large campus.” She highlighted the perks of living in a small community, saying students are able to engage and connect with their community with less societal pressure.

“It’s easier to get to know the people around you, and it’s easier to get involved and develop leadership and feel connected to people,” Haber said. Erin O’Connor, sophomore in LAS and 1 North resident, said she felt the sense of community Allen Hall strives for. “I feel like it really does a great job of getting people to go out and meet each other and really get to know the people that you’re living next to,” O’Connor said. In addition to creating an inclusive environment, Haber said Allen Hall

provides residents with classes that students can take within the building. Allen Hall also has various facilities where students can develop artistic, musical, photography and digital skills. O’Connor said last semester, she attended a music class, and a month ago, she attended a workshop on how to build circuit boards. She specifically remembered getting the opportunity to learn how to make paper. “(Instructors) were outside the front doors and anyone could come up and make their own paper out of the fibers,” O’Connor said. “That was definitely a really cool experience to be able to do that.” Allen Hall also frequently invites guests through their residence program. Guests range from artists, writers, scholars and activists. Haber said guests are usually involved in LGBTQ+ issues or are a part of the community themselves. In the next week, Allen Hall will be welcoming Shing Yin Khor, a Malaysian-American cartoonist. Haber said Allen Hall’s goal is to promote inclusivity, diversity and to help students find mentors. “We have a lot of opportunities for our residents to connect with these people,” Haber said. “To connect on a more informal basis, to have conversations to share experiences.” Haber said through the programs, resources, clubs and inclusivity provided, she hopes Allen Hall is inviting and welcoming to potential residents. “We hope to create a welcoming, inclusive environment for a lot of different folks,” Haber said. “And over my years, I have sought to have it be welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students.” akend2@dailyillini.com

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

LGBTQ+ students find community in online spaces By JP Legarte Investigative News & Longform Editor

Nestled on the third floor of the Illini Union is the LGBT Resource Center, one of the few physical spaces dedicated to LGBTQ+ communities on campus. However, many LGBTQ+ communities shifted to gather in online spaces because the number of physical spaces on campus is limited. “I’m not sure if there are any LGBTQ+ fraternities on campus. I don’t think there is any,” Soundjata Sharod, sophomore in LAS said. “There really isn’t a dedicated gay bar on campus either.” Last semester, Sharod created and organized a whole Discord server for LGBTQ+ communities on campus when he noticed there weren’t any servers for them within the Central Illinois hub. He expressed his desire for the server to be an informal, social space. “I feel like a lot of LGBTQ+ queer youth on this campus are isolated and lonely,” Sharod said. “We’ve all been in those spaces where we really can’t talk about our genders, or we really can’t talk about relationship interests. So I think I just really wanted to create a space where people can fully show up as themselves.” Genna Ellingson, senior in ACES, created and organized a new group within the server titled Dungeons & Dragons and Tabletop Role-Playing Games for Marginalized Genders at the University. Ellingson said she wants the group to eventually meet in person and be a safe space for those interested in learning more about tabletop games and gender identities. Ellingson also spoke to the benefits that online spaces, such as Discord, provide for LGBTQ+ communities. “I think part of the big draw to Discord and other online communities is … the anonymity behind it,” Ellingson said. “You can put out whatever parts of your identity you want to or don’t want to and then join spaces specific to those parts of your identity.” Damian Vergara Bracamontes, professor in Gender & Women’s Studies, said it was necessary to have online spaces for individuals who work multiple jobs, commuter students and people who haven’t disclosed their sexuality or gender identity. He referenced YouTube as another online space where LGBTQ+ individuals have shared their voices and perspectives. “YouTube has been such an important space especially for trans communities of color,” Bracamontes said. “I think that really gave people an opportunity to learn about the range of what it could be to be transgender or gender nonconforming,

SYDNEY LAPUT THE DAILY ILLINI

LGBT Resource Center, located on the third floor of the Illini Union, provides a safe environment for all sexualities and gender identities. people shared their testimonies and their experiences. It became a resource-sharing site, and it created a kind of community of friends (where) people have followed each other.” While these communities continue to gather online, the lack of dedicated physical spaces remains a barrier. Sharod said the Resource Center is underfunded which contributes to their lack of space. “The LGBT Resource Center is grossly underfunded compared to other organizations on campus, which is crazy because … there is a statistic out (that says) one in six people identify as LGBTQ+,” Sharod said. “That is a large percentage of our campus.” Sharod said Leslie Morrow, the director of the center, desires a dedicated mental health adviser for LGBTQ+ individuals, even as the center has only a few staff on hand. “There is next to nothing about student wellness, nothing about sexual wellness, barely anything about mental wellness,” Sharod said. “There’s, like, one line, I think that that omission is exactly why the LGBT Resource Center is not funded in the way that it needs to be. If (the University is) not going to do it, it’s up to me to create a space for people to feel wel-

comed, for people to have life-sustaining relationships.” In addition to the need for more social spaces and groups, Sharod said there is a need for more resources such as medicine, gender affirmation and mental health initiatives. Bracamontes said other universities have more centralized, thriving spaces than Illinois. “It seems like people are trying to connect in these spaces, but there doesn’t seem (to be) a physical hub where people can go other than the LGBT center or the GWS hub,” Bracamontes said. “I think it’s hard because I think this campus has a very different form of community building than maybe other universities I’ve been at.” Bracamontes said other universities have cross-cultural centers and centers containing multiple gathering spaces that promote community building among LGBTQ+ communities. While there is still much progress to be made regarding the number and quality of physical spaces, a few of these spaces such as the Department of Gender & Women’s Studies are planning future initiatives that provide more

opportunities for community building and gathering. According to Bracamontes, some of these future initiatives include the department’s development as a hub for transgender studies scholarship and transgender reading groups. As Dungeons & Dragons and Tabletop Roleplaying Games for Marginalized Genders plan more in-person meetings, Ellingson voiced her plans to get the organization be officially certified as an RSO. Sharod also considered RSO certification as a possibility for the general online organization since certification would open opportunities to reserve spaces, making access to certain physical spaces more streamlined. Ellingson offered advice to those who are searching for LGBTQ+ spaces to explore or are interested in creating spaces for these communities. “These spaces exist,” Ellingson said. “You might need to look a little harder for them, but to the people who are looking for these spaces, connect with the people that are out there. Do your research. If you look for them, you will probably find them, and if you don’t, and if you feel confident with it, then start one yourself.” jlegar4@dailyillini.com

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Illinois app deadnames transgender students By Lilli Bresnahan Assistant News Editor

ANGELICA ORDONEZ THE DAILY ILLINI

Group takes fast steps toward local LGBTQ+ unity Uniting Pride to launch inclusive running club for beginners, experts By Gina Jagminas Staff Writer

Beginning on April 9, Uniting Pride, a local LGBTQ+ organization in Champaign County, will be hosting a running group for people of all ages and backgrounds to get active and meet others in the community. Uniting Pride was founded in 2009 as a way to bring together the LGBTQ+ community in Champaign County. Martha Mills, the president of the board of Uniting Pride, spoke about the organization itself and how the running group represents its goals of supporting and bringing together LGBTQ+ people in Champaign County. “We just try to advocate for LGBTQ+ people in our community,” Mills said. “We help through different support groups, different activities, festivals and all sorts of different events and things like that.”

Uniting Pride has never had a running group before. “We were actually approached by someone else in the community asking if we wanted to do it,” Mills said. Even so, Mills liked the idea so much that they decided to implement it into Uniting Pride adopt it as part of its spring programming. The running group is another example of the way Uniting Pride is bringing the Champaign community together Mills said. “It’s totally for fun, and it’s just to have another space for LGBTQ+ people to meet and be together in a safe space where they’re with like-minded and similar individuals,” Mills said. For people in the LGBTQ+ community who may have fears about joining fitness groups, the group emphasizes safety and accessibility for all involved. It’s open to all levels of runners, whether they’ve run several marathons or never put on a pair of running shoes. Often, events like this can present barriers for people who have never run. In this case, though, Mills assures that beginners are welcome in this group.

“For the beginners, we’re going to go with a couch to 5K running plan,” Mills said. Mills said runners will build up their running skills slowly instead of being expected to jump in right away. The program will also have two different groups depending on the runners’ experience, another way to ensure people are being met where they’re at instead of feeling too inexperienced to join. This group represents much of what Uniting Pride aims to do for the community, Mills said. Inclusive and encouraging, it’s open to all who are interested in finding a supportive community. The group’s end goal is to participate in a 5K in Tuscola in June. This color run is being put on by the Tuscola High School GSA, Mills said which is another way that Uniting Pride is engaging with the larger LGBTQ+ community. Uniting Pride is covering race fees for all participants, removing yet another barrier to what often stops people from trying new things. Again, the organization is emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and com-

munity building, Mills said. “I think it’s just good for us to have a space that’s not something like a bar, to have something that can help us be active and just let us be together,” Mills said. Even if the running group is not for everyone, Uniting Pride offers a number of programs and events that have something for any age group and any type of person. Mills said the organization offers many support groups, including playgroups for young children, teen support groups and ones specifically for transgender adults, among several others. At its heart, Uniting Pride is about bringing people together and trying to create an accessible and safe community for the LGBTQ+ community in Champaign County, Mills said. “Really we have things for people of every age, and we just really like being able to reach everyone from our community,” Mills said. The running group will have its first meeting on April 9 at 1 p.m. at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana. ginamj2@readbuzz.com

On March 21, some students were surprised when the Illinois app’s building access screen switched from displaying their preferred names to displaying their legal names. This incident reignited discussion regarding the experience of transgender students on campus and the University’s use of deadnames — the names that transgender individuals are given at birth, which they no longer use. Azer Matten, junior in FAA and president of the Campus Union for Trans Equality and Support, said that seeing this change on the Illinois app was troubling and “pretty weird.” “I know a lot of other people (for whom) it was uncomfortable for them because they did have their preferred name listed,” Matten said. “If you went through the process to have a preferred name, and then they don’t use it, then what’s the point?” According to Bill Sullivan, director of the Illinois app, the building access screen was using students’ legal names because of a database issue. “(The) Illinois app pulls the preferred name from a user’s i-card data,” Sullivan said. Although this is the first occurrence on the Illinois app, deadnaming has occurred various times at the University. For instance, during the 2021 commencement, the University read off the deadnames of graduating transgender students. Robin Kaler, associate chancellor for Public Affairs at the University, said in an email that preferred names have been used for more than five years. “Within the past two years we implemented diploma names, which permit a student to use a name other than their legal name on their diplomas,” Kaler said. “It is quite simple and quick to provide a preferred first name using self-service and this can be updated at any time.” According to Matten, in order for your preferred name to be on your diploma you have to submit a preferred diploma name to be listed on a diploma, as well as following up to make sure the University received the submission. “It’s not necessarily an easy opt out,” Matten said. Matten also said that deadnaming often occurs at McKinley Health

SYDNEY LAPUT THE DAILY ILLINI

The Illinois app's switch to using students' legal names has sparked discussions related to transgender students and misgendering. Center. “It seems like regardless of what you do, McKinley always seems to have your legal name,” Matten said. Matten said that when someone says their legal name at McKinley or doing COVID-19 tests it’s more “uncomfortable” and “jarring” for them. “If you have not been able to change it yet, it would be your deadname,” said Max Meyer, a graduate student at the University. Meyer said hearing their deadname is “draining.” “I try not to make an issue of it simply because if I do that, every time I hear it, I wouldn’t get anything done,” Meyer said. Robert Parker, director of McKinley, said that legal names are on all documents. “This is the biggest reason for why deadnames are not dead — they are allowed to remain the legal name,” Parker said. According to Parker, the i-card system updates the McKinley Medicat Portal, the patient management system used by McKinley, each day with students’ preferred names.

“Now, the mistakes are uncommon because Medicat serves most of our interface issues with the student and is updated daily,” Parker said. “Our pharmacists do a terrific job with the manual override but mistakes, though infrequent, do occur.” In addition to encountering their deadname, Meyer has also experienced issues with misgendering at the University. When Meyer worked as a teacher’s assistant, they introduced themselves to their class at the beginning of the semester and mentioned their preferred pronouns. However, the professor continued to never use their preferred pronouns, which confused many students, according to them. “I actually knew that we had at least one trans student in that class who then, at least partially … proceeded to wait until after graduation to come out,” Meyer said. “The University does not make it clear that this is a safe place that trans people and trans students can exist in.” Moreover, during an event several years ago at their department for recruiting prospective students, Mey-

er was yelled at by another graduate student infront of everyone about their pronouns and name. Meyer also said the University only updates names for payroll if they have been legally changed, and non-binary individuals were forced to designate a binary gender until only recently. “We actually had an issue of one of the graduate students who was not getting paid because they refused to misgender themselves,” Meyer said. Meyer said it eventually got resolved but took a very long time to fix. “The University does not put serious effort into this until somebody complains,” Meyer said. After Meyer changed their legal name, they wanted to update their University email, which contained their deadname, but had to go from “person to person” to get it changed. “I had issues for months afterward with the email system not switching over,” Meyer said. This resulted in people using their deadnames and them remaining in the system, Meyer added. lillakb2@dailyillini.com

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

SYDNEY LAPUT THE DAILY ILLINI

Rebecca Kimberly Goodman, senior in FAA, holds the transgender flag beside Alma Mater during the rally on Thursday.

SYDNEY LAPUT THE DAILY ILLINI

Jane Olsson, sophomore in ACES, and Alexandaria Childs, junior in AHS, hug during the Trans Solidarity Rally on Thursday. The rally was organized by CUTES, PSL, and YDSA and held as a celebration for Trans Day of Visibility.

Students, community attend rally on Trans Day of Visibility By Sarah Bond Contributing Writer

A pink, blue and white flag taped to Alma Mater’s hand blew in the wind as nearly 100 transgender individuals and allies gathered early Thursday evening to celebrate Transgender Visibility Day at a solidarity rally. The rally was organized by the Campus Union for Trans Equality (CUTES) and Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) registered student organizations. In the midst of falling ice pellets, wind gusts, near-freezing temperatures and emergency vehicle sirens was a celebration of transgender life and pride. Many people were holding signs with messages such as “we say gay” and “trans rights are human rights.” Rebecca Kimberly Goodman, senior in FAA, walked up to the rally with a smile on her face and a transgender flag blowing behind her. Goodman opened her speech with a prideful statement. “Hi everyone! My name is Rebecca, and I am glad to be a trans woman,” Goodman yelled, her voice echoing across Green Street. A total of five speeches were given, and each one was deeply passionate. In between speeches, chants were led by

CUTES president Azer Matten. “We are here! We are queer! We will not disappear!” Matten chanted. “When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!” By the conclusion of the rally, many were riled up and smiling ear to ear. Tris Dinh, junior in FAA, talked about what this rally meant to them. “I struggle with supportive parents, so having a community here is good for me,” Dinh said. Goodman reflected on trans acceptance and why she felt called to speak at the rally. “Generally around here (on campus), it’s pretty OK, but that doesn’t reflect what’s going on with the whole country,” Goodman said. “People from my community are hurting elsewhere. It’s part of my responsibility to help them out.” Goodman is also a member of CUTES. She talked about why she likes being in the RSO. “It’s really nice to have a safe space for trans people made by trans people,” Goodman said. CUTES is the only transgender-centered organization on campus. Matten spoke of the club’s importance. “Over the years, we have built up mem-

bers who can help people find resources and also a community, especially in an extremely large campus where it can be hard to find people like yourself,” Matten said. Matten also explained why the CUTES and the YDSA felt called to organize the rally. “We felt a call to action because of all of the recent anti-trans laws,” Matten said. Goodman acknowledged the laws in her speech. “From our need for our survival to denying the right to use the god d— bathroom, all of this should have been laid to rest,” Goodman said. “And it infuriates me that we have to debate our own rights to exist.” Transgender individuals have a long history of facing discrimination. In the wake of many bills that bring transgender rights into question, Sarah Lynn, a speaker at the rally, referred to the recently passed Florida bill, HB 1557 — also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. “Florida legislature has caused outrage nationwide with its passage of HB 1557,” Lynn said. “The ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill effectively prevents the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida schools through the third grade.”

Siddhartha Perry, another speaker, explained bills like this are being passed everywhere in the country. “Texas, Idaho, Alabama, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Missouri and nine other states are pushing legislation to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth,” Perry said. In June 2020, an Idaho law became the first of it’s kind to ban transgender women from playing on women’s sports teams. Just one day before Thursday’s rally, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt signed an identical bill into law. This decision came after Lia Thomas, a NCAA Division I athlete and transgender woman, controversially won a title at the Swimming and Diving Championship. Matten knew all of this but still stood in pride and without fear. “I stand here, visibly queer … knowing that there are still governors trying to erase our existence and push us into the shadows,” Matten said. “I stand here asking all of you to help us in this fight, and help our voices be heard. With your help, I will continue to stand here. We will continue to stand here, and be visible.” sbond21@dailyillini.com

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

THE DAILY ILLINI PRESENTS

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Monday, April 18 • 11am-3pm FEATURING: American Campus Communities

• 309 Green • Campustown Rentals • Lofts 54• The Suites at Third • The Tower at Third

• Bankier Apartments • Burnham 310 • Campus Circle Apartments • Green Street Realty • One Illinois Apartments • Seven07 • Yugo Urbana • The Village at Colbert Park • And many more!

ILLINI UNION, ROOMS B&C

OPINIONS

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

EDITORIAL

BECKETT GREEN THE DAILY ILLINI

Transgender athletes deserve place on podium By The Daily Illini Editorial Board Lia Thomas, a swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, recently made headlines for being the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship. This title was met with wide criticism from many across the nation, ranging from moms of student athletes to American legislators. Thomas is a transgender woman who began her medical transition in 2019 when she started hormone replacement therapy, which entails the intake of estrogen or testosterone to adjust the person’s hormone levels to match their gender identity. Opponents of transgender athlete inclusivity efforts often claim HRT does not cancel out the genetic advantages of being assigned male at birth, yet hormone therapy significantly affected Thomas’ athletic performance.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Thomas detailed that she lost an inch of her height and a significant amount of strength as she continued HRT — which she has been on for the past three years — and knew she could not come close to her race times prior to her transition. The NCAA’s guidelines state that a female transgender athlete’s testosterone levels must be below a certain range through the use of HRT in order to be eligible to participate in women’s events. To follow these requirements, Thomas skipped the 2021-22 season during her transition to compete in the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. At the championships, Thomas’ performance in the 500-yard freestyle was a season best and just about 9 seconds short of Katie Ledecky’s all-time record. However, that was not the most impressive aspect of this year’s cham-

pionships, as 27 records overall were broken at the meet — none of which were by Thomas herself. The outrage over Thomas’ title and overlooking the other details of the tournament is indicative of how many critics seem to only care about Thomas’ identity as a transgender athlete when she wins a title, as opposed to the many times she has faced defeat. Either way, the media spotlight shone brightly on Thomas after her championship win, where her identity as a woman was attacked ceaselessly by onlookers, one of whom was Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis called Thomas’ swimming title “a fraud” and signed a proclamation declaring runner-up Emma Weyant as the true winner of the title. The Floridian governor has a record of passing anti-transgender legislation — last June, DeSantis enacted a bill called the “Fairness in Women’s Sports

Act” which bans transgender girls from playing on female sports teams in public schools. The law also subjects transgender athletes to invasive examinations and genetic testing and requires that birth certificates showing “assigned female at birth” status be shown in order to join female sports teams. Following the controversy surrounding Lia Thomas’ win, Pennsylvania House Republicans are also proposing a similar bill in Pennsylvania that would ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s teams in high school and college sports teams. The debate surrounding the rights of transgender athletes has been taking over America, yet transgender athletes remain resilient and continue to fight for the right to do what they love. opinions@dailyillini.com

BUZZ

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Styles' `As It Was' expresses raw emotion, indie sound By Carolina Garibay Staff Writer

The over two-year drought of new Harry Styles music ended Thursday with Styles’ new, highly anticipated single “As It Was.” Styles announced the single on March 28 as the first song off his upcoming album “Harry’s House,” which hits stores and streaming services on May 20. After the announcement, fans immediately took to social media to celebrate the singer-songwriter and welcome him back to the music landscape. When “As It Was” dropped with an accompanying music video fans excitement grew into visible dedication. Fans quickly started streaming the song nonstop, and Spotify reported on Saturday that it officially broke the record for the most-streamed song in the U.S. in a single day in Spotify history. The song was written with Styles’ past, trusted collaborators and producers Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson with band guitarist Mitch Rowland on drums. It features both head-bopping, dance-worthy beats contrasted with somber, introspective lyrics. Songs with dynamics like these are common within the indie-pop genre, a direction fans had been speculating Styles might take after he released a teaser from “As It Was” last week. The teaser is also the intro of the single, which features ‘80s-like synths and a tag from a child’s voice saying, “C’mon Harry / We wanna say goodnight to you,” which Styles has confirmed is from a voicemail left for him by his goddaughter. “She had a streak of calling me every night before bed, and I missed it once, and she wanted to let me know she was quite angry with me about it,” Styles said on Heart Breakfast Friday morning. That line is followed by a poignant drumbeat that continues throughout the song, creating a cohesive sound that complements Styles’ soft vocals that aren’t as energetic as the beat. We know Styles can sing and even belt, but he doesn’t in “As It Was,” which makes sense because this song isn’t exactly the most uplifting. The lyrics are dim but honest. He sings about change, whether that’s referring to a breakup or simply to the passage of time is unclear, but as Styles has said about past songs, he’s a big supporter of leaving songs’ meanings open to interpretation. The first line of “As It Was” seems to be Styles’ admittance of his struggle to come to terms with change and transition as he sings, “Holdin’ me

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARRY STYLES HQ TWITTER

Harry Styles announces the release of his new single, ªAs it Was,º on March 28. The song has broken the record on Spotify for the moststreamed song in a single day. back / Gravity’s holdin’ me back.” He asks for help moving on or perhaps a rescue from having to change, singing, “I want you to hold out the palm of your hand / Why don’t we leave it at that?” The call for help, though, turns into an acceptance that change is inevitable and, “In this world, it’s just us / You know it’s not the same as it was.” In the second verse, Styles sings of someone’s worry as they attempt to contact him, pleading, “Answer the phone / Harry you’re no good alone / Why are you sitting at home on the floor?” It’s reminiscent of quarantine times when no one really knew what everyone else was doing, and isolation took over as people were forced to cope on their own. But again, it could also be about someone who might be going through a depressive episode after a breakup or other sort of situation that involves unwanted change. The bridge is probably the most indiesounding element of the song, with a slightly distorted, fast talk or chant, similar to something you might hear from Wallows or Tame Impala.

The song’s structure is relatively simple: short verses and a repetitive chorus. Its message of the inevitability of change, though pretty self-explanatory, can be a tough one to accept in real life. But the features of the song are a bit more complex. The contrast between the song’s energetic flow and melancholic lyrics makes it unclear whether Styles wants you to dance, cry or both. This theme continues in the music video for the song, which was directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Tanu Muino. The video introduces Styles dressed in a big red trench coat, which he later removes to reveal a sparkly red jumpsuit. Styles’ main female counterpart in the video wears a matching jumpsuit in blue as she and Styles do what seems to be an interpretive or expressive dance. A recurring theme between the two in the video involves Styles chasing after her, unfulfilled handholds and literally running in circles, which may be a visual representation of Styles’ desire to hold on and avoid the change that he sings about. At one point, actors in the video start taking their clothes off, and Styles follows

and embraces his counterpart from earlier, who is fully dressed, which could be a symbol of his vulnerability and delicate state in comparison to others. The video shifts to solo moments of Styles spinning on what fans have joked looks like a microwave plate. Later moments show Styles dancing dramatically and enthusiastically, as if he’s overcome or healed from whatever had been holding him back and can finally be free. The video closes with a happy Styles smiling from ear to ear and running away from the camera — a seemingly happy close to a heavy topic. With “As It Was,” Styles addresses the raw emotion that can come with accepting change, while stepping out of the box musically with a style that confirms Styles might just be in his indie-pop era (fingers crossed!). “Harry’s House” comes out May 20 and will feature 13 tracks. Styles is also set to headline Coachella in April and tour the UK in June with Mitski as his opener. garibay5@readbuzz.com

BUZZ

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Styles' `As It Was' expresses raw emotion, indie sound By Carolina Garibay Staff Writer

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARRY STYLES HQ TWITTER

Harry Styles announces the release of his new single “As it Was“ on March 28. The song has broken the record on Spotify for the most-streamed song in a single day. back / Gravity’s holdin’ me back.” He asks for help moving on or perhaps a rescue from having to change, singing, “I want you to hold out the palm of your hand / Why don’t we leave it at that?” The call for help, though, turns into an acceptance that change is inevitable and, “In this world, it’s just us / You know it’s not the same as it was.” In the second verse, Styles sings of someone’s worry as they attempt to contact him, pleading, “Answer the phone / Harry you’re no good alone / Why are you sitting at home on the floor?” It’s reminiscent of quarantine times when no one really knew what everyone else was doing, and isolation took over as people were forced to cope on their own. But again, it could also be about someone who might be going through a depressive episode after a breakup or other sort of situation that involves unwanted change. The bridge is probably the most indiesounding element of the song, with a slightly distorted, fast talk or chant, similar to something you might hear from Wallows or Tame Impala.

SPORTS

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD

Howell's stellar career extends through third season By Ben Fader Staff Writer

No athlete on the Illinois track & field team has impacted the program more than junior Olivia Howell in the last two years, and she shows no signs of slowing down. From a young age, Howell knew running was her passion. “When I was a kid, I played basketball and softball, but my favorite part was all the running around,” Howell said. In seventh grade, she transitioned to running and never looked back, picking up both track and cross country in high school. Howell began receiving letters in the mail in just her first year of high school to compete at the collegiate level, something nobody in her family had done prior. With these offers comes a difficult choice, and Howell was good enough to compete at some great schools. Following up three state championships in high school, four team MVP awards and plenty of district awards,

it was time to take her talents to the next level. After her visit to Illinois, her choice was much easier. “The team culture here was amazing, and I fell in love with the team when I came to visit,” Howell said. Howell also mentioned cross country coach Sarah Haveman as a significant factor in bringing her to Illinois. Like every freshman athlete, Howell had big dreams and goals. She has already accomplished most of what she came to Illinois to achieve, despite not even being done with her junior year. “I was definitely surprised to have completed so many things this early,” Howell said. “But I am really excited about it and want to work even more.” Howell has already achieved a top-25 finish in cross country regionals, three Big Ten mile championships, three first-team Big Ten awards, one second team All-American and one first team All-American. Even with all the accolades she has earned so far, Howell is still very

NEW

hungry, “Obviously, first place at NCAA’s is the goal.” Being a Division I athlete is a difficult life, and a lot of work must be put in, especially to achieve the results she has. “I promise I do have breaks, though,” Howell said with a laugh. Much of her breaks still involve the team, whether it’s going out to eat or just hanging out. “I also really love painting and drawing,” said Howell. “I am a studio art major. So whenever I get time off from running, I go to my studio and work on projects or just paint for myself.” The painting may have to stay a hobby for now because Howell is confident in her running skills and plans to continue competing after her collegiate career. “I definitely plan on going pro and hopefully making it into the Olympics one day,” Howell said. “That is my dream.” @benfader7 bfader2@dailyillini.com

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Junior distance runner Olivia Howell runs during the Indoor Big Ten Championship on Feb. 29, 2020. Howell discusses her passion for running as a child to achieving many of her planned goals at Illinois.

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SPORTS

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Key departures lead Illinois to use transfer portal By Jackson Janes Staff Writer

With the offseason comes change across college basketball. Though head coach Brad Underwood signed a new contract on Wednesday, the Illini roster is guaranteed to look much different than it did this season. Starting guards Trent Frazier, Da’Monte Williams and Alfonso Plummer no longer have any eligibility remaining, while the team’s other two starters — junior center Kofi Cockburn and graduate student guard Jacob Grandison — have at least one more year of eligibility left but have yet to decide what their next steps are. Sophomore guard Andre Curbelo announced on Tuesday that he would enter the transfer portal after playing just 19 of Illinois’ 33 games this year. Missing time due to a concussion and COVID-19 health and safety protocols, Curbelo averaged 7.5 points and 3.2 assists while making four starts one year removed from winning the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year award. With the Illini losing several key pieces from its Big Ten regular-season championship-winning team, they’ll likely look to the portal to bring in some talent and experience. The team has plenty of rising stars, though, in the likes of sophomore forward Coleman Hawkins and freshmen guards RJ Melendez, Luke Goode and Brandin Podziemski. Illinois is also bringing in three four-star signees in forward Ty Rodgers and guards Jayden Epps and Sencire Harris, all of which are the highest-rated players in their respective states, per 247 Sports. The Illini also are in the mix for fivestar point guard Skyy Clark. Hailing from Florida, Clark attended the same high school as junior center Omar Payne, who transferred to Illinois last April. Clark recently released his final six schools after decommitting from Kentucky in March: Southern California, Maryland, Louisville, Tennessee, Washington and Illinois. The Illini are the only program that has conducted an in-home visit with Clark, per Travis Branham of 247 Sports. Former Illini guard Adam Miller entered the transfer portal on Tuesday after spending one season at Louisiana State. Opting to leave Champaign after one season, Miller tore his ACL prior to his sophomore season and did not play any games in Baton Rouge before a coaching change saw him decide to look elsewhere yet again.

CAMERON KRASUCKI THE DAILY ILLINI

Guard Andre Curbelo and his teammates huddle together during the game against Iowa for the Big Ten Championship on March 6. With players entering the transfer portal and some having no eligibility left, the men's basketball roster will look much different for the upcoming season. Miller started all 31 games as a freshman with Illinois during the 2020-2021 season, averaging 8.3 points on 39.1% shooting from the field. A known threat from behind the 3-point line, he shot 34% from deep and finished with the secondmost triples of the Illini with 52. Several of Miller’s LSU teammates are also in the portal, including guard Brandon Murray, who entered the transfer portal one week ago. Illini assistant coach Chester Frazier recruited Murray when he was still an assistant at Virginia Tech, and according to 247 Sports, he is interested in bringing the six-foot-five wing to Champaign. In his freshman year, Murray started 32 of the Tigers’ 33 games, averaging 10 points, three rebounds and nearly two assists. He also proved to be a dangerous 3-point threat, knocking down 33.6% of his shots from deep. Though Illinois did not recruit Murray out of high school, he will likely be on head coach Underwood and staff’s radar.

Six-foot-six guard Terrence Shannon Jr. also has been rumored to be an Illinois target. Shannon is from Chicago where he played for Lincoln Park High School. He has spent the last three seasons at Texas Tech, though he was heavily recruited by former Illinois assistant Chin Coleman and made an official visit to Champaign. Shannon would give the Illini a huge size upgrade as their three starting guards last season were all six-foot-three or shorter. He also averaged 10.4 points, two assists and shot 38.4% from behind the 3-point line. He will be a hot commodity, and a return to Texas Tech is still possible, but Illinois is certainly among potential suitors for the Chicago native. Two other Chicago kids in the transfer portal could be on Underwood’s watch list: Illinois State guard Antonio Reeves and Temple guard Jeremiah Williams. Both players would provide the height and size upgrades the Illini are looking

for at the guard position. Williams has reportedly received interest from Illinois and several other schools, per Jon Rothstein. The former Owl averaged 9.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game over his two seasons in Philadelphia. Reeves averaged a team-high 20.1 points for the Redbirds last season. Neither player picked up an offer from the Illini out of high school, though Williams reportedly has a good relationship with Illinois assistant coach Tim Anderson since he played for MeanStreets, the AAU team for which Anderson used to serve as program director. With the transfer portal continuing to add names and players still making decisions about their futures, the next few weeks and months will see Illinois and teams across the nation actively out on the recruiting trail. @JacksonJanes3 janes6@dailyillini.com

The DI · Wednesday, April 6, 2022