by Katie Rocque 

Skidmore community members, including student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and faculty, came together to learn about how to be active allies to the LGBTQ+ community and affirm their support at a panel discussion sponsored by Skidmore Athletics.  

Professor of American Studies Beck Krefting moderated the April 3 event, "Experience Matters: A Conversation Around Active Allyship for the LGBTQ+ Community," in Zankel Music Center. The panel, which was also livestreamed, considered what it means to be an active ally for the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges that students-athletes in the community have faced.  

“We have a leadership role to play on campus, so it’s important to listen and take action,” said alumna Clare Kenny '15, who played on Skidmore’s volleyball team. “It’s up to us to show up and support each of our community members so we can become stronger.”  

Participants also included Katherine Almquist '24, Women’s Tennis Head Tennis Coach Curt Speerschneider, Associate Professor of Sociology Amon Emeka, Executive Director of the Pride Center of the Capital Region Nathanial Gray, and Emily Czelusniak '25, a member of the swimming and diving team.  

Associate Professor of Sociology Amon Emeka and Emily Czelusniak '25, a member of the swimming and diving team, were among the panelists.

Almquist, a member of the women's tennis team, discussed her experience as a student-athlete at Skidmore.  

“我直到大学才出来. I learned it was okay to be queer at Skidmore, but I still had concerns about how my teammates would react. They are my campus family, and you never want to be ostracized by your family,” Almquist said. “I also had to address my own internalized homophobia, which comes from societal norms.” 

Professor Krefting acknowledged the power of public shame and how the stigma of identifying as anything but heterosexual can reinforce feelings of exclusion.  

“The language we use makes a difference in how our community members feel seen or not. Societal and cultural norms instill a sense of homophobia, and we have to educate ourselves on these biases and reflect on how we can actively change that narrative,” Krefting said.  

This year’s panel was the second in Skidmore Athletics’ “Experience Matters” series, which considers the experiences of student-athletes and the central role of Skidmore Athletics in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion at Skidmore. 

A recording of "Experience Matters: A Conversation Around Active Allyship for the LGBTQ+ Community" is available online.