Ashley Troutt- Pathing the way for tolerance at UGA

According to dictionary.com, feminism is the doctrine advocating political, social and all other rights of women equal to those of men. However, because the word “women” encompasses all types of women, from a middle-class Asian to rich black lesbians, the definition of feminism must be expanded upon. Now, most feminists not only focus on the advancement of women in society, but also equality for people of all races, economic standings and sexual preferences.
Ashley Troutt, a 21-year-old junior at the University of Georgia, is founding a club dedicated to promoting tolerance for gays called Young People for Gay Rights. She is a straight white female, but sees herself as an advocate for equality. She has not yet completed registration for the club, but hopes to be fully established at the beginning of spring semester.
Troutt would not necessarily consider herself a feminist, but she agrees with the feminist doctrine. She also believes that women should be sympathetic to the cause the most because women historically have “walked in the same shoes” and should know how it feels to be ostracized or marginalized. Troutt wants to found Young People for Gay Rights so people will be more aware of the issues and become more tolerant.
“It makes me sad and embarrassed that people are so closed-minded,” said Troutt.
Troutt has three close friends that are personally affected by gay rights laws, including her best friend, Joe Beasley. Troutt and Beasley have known each other for close to seven years, and Troutt said that she has witnessed discrimination of Beasley based on his sexual preference. She said that depending on what part of town they are in, Beasley might get looks, be judged, or even be called inappropriate names.
“Joe’s a little flamboyant and out there, but he is who he is. People need to look past ‘gay’,” said Troutt.
Beasley was Troutt’s inspiration for the foundation of Young People for Gay Rights, but she also thinks her parents have helped shape her into the person she is today. Troutt says her parents are tolerant people whose actions, throughout her childhood, spoke louder than words. Her parents are open-minded and try their best not to show any racism or judgment towards people they meet. Troutt believes that the biggest problem fueling homophobia is parents passing on their anti-gay feelings to their children. She thinks that the club will help create awareness and spread tolerance. Troutt knows it will be hard to change the minds of older generations, but thinks the club will make the biggest impact with young people at the university and hopefully break the cycle of discrimination.
Troutt hopes to have 30 to 50 new members by the end of the 2010 school year. She is optimistic about the future of Young People for Gay Rights and is not too worried about being a minority in her beliefs. Troutt understands that her biggest opponent is people with negative views towards gays and gay rights.
“You have to convince people that they are wrong. It’s just hard when the majority feels a certain way,” said Troutt.