Members of the University Feminist Organization (UFO) hear a lot of questions about their involvement with the new club: Why does this exist at Union? Does that mean you don’t want to get married? Why would a guy associate himself with this organization?
The organization came to be when President Allison Pulliam, senior broadcast journalism and political science double major and Vice President Amy Knack, sophomore TESL and Spanish double major, decided they wanted to put the misconceptions of feminism to rest and learn with others how to communicate with people who have different views.
Feminism has the possibility of having a bad reputation on Union’s campus, the founders said, but members base their beliefs in scripture although others believe religion and feminism are opposed.
“The University Feminist Organization will foster dialogue and provide safe spaces for discussion about gender issues, further understanding in the university about feminist frameworks, explore the interaction between feminism and the gospel and create opportunities for service projects concerning gender issues,” according to the group’s mission statement.
What most people find shocking about this organization is that there are guys that are a part of it, Pulliam said.
“Out of our 49 or so members, there are about as many males as there are females,” she said.
Those who attend Senate meetings would find two male representatives for UFO. The two were not selected to do this, but actually volunteered.
Trey Gerrell, senior Christian thought and tradition major, is a member and senator of UFO.
“A lot of people ask me why or if I’m doing it solely to get girls, but for me it’s a reminder that as much as I strive to live as a godly man, I should treat men and women equally as they are seen in the image of God,” he said.
The initial faculty adviser for this group was Micah Watson, associate professor of political science. He influenced Gerrell by reminding him that instead of trying to avoid the label of feminism, one should redeem it.
The purpose of this organization is not to bully or force feminist beliefs on other people, but to be able to discuss issues in society and on campus, along with forms of community service.
To learn more about UFO, log on to their Facebook page or contact Pulliam at allison.pulliam@my.uu.edu.
