Discussion group name more inclusive after change

Utah State University’s chapter of I Am That Girl, a group for women to discuss various issues which started in October, will now be more inclusive.

Sheree Haggan, the faculty adviser of the group, who could only be reached by email this week, wrote that the primary meeting for the chapter will be called “I Am That Person.”

“We titled it I Am That Person so that all people feel welcome and they don’t feel it’s limited to people who self-identify as a girl,” Haggan wrote.

Ashley Brown, I Am That Girl council member and leader of I Am That Person, said the purpose of I Am That Girl was to address issues that are important to women, and I Am That Person will be topics relevant to everyone.

“We’re bringing up topics and discussions that every person can get involved with and participate in,” Brown said.

Brown said the first meeting, which will be at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in room 507 of the University Inn, will be a discussion about sexual identity and gender roles.

Sandra Martinez, a junior majoring in sociology who does marketing work for the club, said a transgender, a pansexual and an intersex person will talk about their experiences during the meeting.

She said there will also be some paper ginger bread dolls on which people will write how they self-identify.

“It’s gonna be really great,” Martinez said. “I’m excited.”

Haggan said the topic of sexual identity and gender stereotypes is appropriate for the first meeting because it will show that the group wants to include everyone, not just those who identify as man or woman.

“Even if we advertised for men and women, we still would not be all-inclusive,” Haggan wrote. “It is pertinent that we recognize that there are people who do not identify one way or the other, and they need to be included as well.”

Brown said sexual identity and gender roles are not the only things that will be discussed in upcoming meetings.

“Sometimes it’s going to be about race. Sometimes it’s going to be about body image. Other times it can be about the role of social media and how it identifies people,” Brown said.

Brown said the club will give people who live different lifestyles a chance to talk about their issues in an environment with supportive people.

“I think it’s just really important that people understand that there’s a group out there that no matter who you are, how you identify yourself, you’re always going to feel welcome and included in whatever we do,” Brown said.

For other people, it’s an opportunity to get to know people who act and live differently.

“I think it’s important because it helps you grow as a person, and it also opens your eyes to see the diversity that’s out there,” Brown said.

Haggan said the club can be beneficial to anyone with an open mind and who is open to being vulnerable.

“I think everybody can benefit in some way,” Haggan said. “Even those with a more closed mind have to learn from something that the world is a lot bigger and full of beautiful diversity that falls outside of their area of understanding.”

— topherwriter@gmail.com