LGBTQ+ students in Laramie and across the state found that cookies were delivered to them by local and state-wide LGBTQ+ organizations back in October.
Wyoming Equality coordinated with the Laramie PFLAG, Laramie Pridefest, and the University of Wyoming Multicultural Affairs to provide cookies to LGBTQ+ student organizations across the state including those found at Laramie High School and Laramie Middle School.
Daniel Galbreath, Wyoming Equality’s Director of Communications, said that the cookies were delivered to students in response to an event held by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Brian Schroeder.
“Some unfortunate misinformation and some really harmful, badly conceived notions about what it means to include concepts of gender and trans experience in schools,” Galbreath said.
Wyoming Equality wanted to send cookies to LGBTQ+ students across the state out of a concern for their wellbeing and a want to make sure they know that they have allies.
“Because of our concern for protecting these kids as best as we can, or at least making them know that they’re people who truly care about them and their communities,” Galbreath said.
Katie Morgan, PFLAG Laramie’s President hoped that the students that received these cookies would feel supported and cared about. PFLAG Laramie helped coordinate the delivery of cookies in Laramie and throughout the state.
“My personal hope is that they would know that there are adults in Wyoming who support them and who want to be there for them. Not everybody in the state wants to attack who they are and the human beings that they’re trying to become,” Morgan said.
Morgan hopes with the upcoming general session of the Wyoming Legislature beginning in January 2023, that there will be more visibility and support for LGBTQ+ students.
“Even if we’re not LGBTQ, or even have a family member, most of us know friends that are, and it’s up to us to be good allies. To be visible and support where we can,” Morgan said.
Senior Project Coordinator Wolfgang of UW Multicultural Affairs helped with the coordination of ordering and partially funded the cookies that were prepared by UW Catering and Events.
Wolfgang believes it’s more important for middle and high school students to be able to explore their LGBT identity rather than figuring it out in college.
“It doesn’t start as soon as you become an adult, right. Seeing that visibility and seeing what I didn’t get to see quite often when I was younger, seeing people embrace their identity and be who they want and who they are,” Wolfgang said.
Wolfgang hopes that the cookies send a message to LGBTQ+ students that they’re not alone and are supported.
“I hope they feel seen and understand that our hearts are with them. They see that LGBT groups all around Laramie and Wyoming came together to support them,” Wolfgang said.
