As a part of the activities for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Red Flag Campaign, Fort Hays State University brought Brian Sims, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, to speak on “Activism and Advocacy” yesterday.
Sims is the first openly gay representative in the Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives. Prior to holding office, he was the first openly gay collegiate football captain. His presentation stressed the importance of equality for people of all kinds, specifically with the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgendered community. Sims also discussed his personal experiences and how he overcame opposition.
Sims advocates women’s rights and gender equality in all aspects of life, according to the FHSU press release.
According to the Philadelphia Gay News, Sims holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bloomsburg University and a law degree from Michigan State University School of Law. He also served as the senior law clerk at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The Red Flag Campaign is a public awareness campaign to promote the prevention of dating violence on college campuses. It is sponsored by the Center for Civic Leadership, the Women’s Leadership Project and the office of Diversity Affairs.