Closets, combat and coming out: Best-selling author Rob Smith to speak at UW-Whitewater

March 31, 2015

Students who attended the annual Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Ally College Conference at Illinois State University did not expect to be so moved by one of the keynote speakers.

"It was really powerful to hear someone with multiple identities explain how stereotypes and prejudice have affected his life," said Cherish Golden, a UW-Whitewater junior and pride intern for Career & Leadership Development. "This speaker reinforced to me that no matter how you identify, nothing should stop you from realizing your goals and achieving your dreams."

That speaker is Rob Smith, an openly gay Iraq war veteran, journalist and best-selling author, who will bring his story to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Room at the James R. Connor University Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Smith served for five years in the United States Army as an infantryman in both Kuwait and Iraq. He is also the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal and Combat Infantry Badge.

"I try to make things less about ‘me' and more about ‘we,'" Smith said. "I have a compelling story, have gone through some hardships, and made it to the other side, but I think we all do."

After hearing Smith at the conference, members of IMPACT -- the student organization that aims to make the campus more inclusive of all gender expressions, sexual identities and romantic identities -- rallied to bring him to UW-Whitewater.

"We are always looking for speakers that will connect with the student body on multiple levels," said Cindy Konrad, LGBT coordinator. "I am thrilled for the student body to hear about Smith's experiences as an African American, gay man in the military and to acquire a broader understanding of the multiple kinds of prejudice some individuals continue to face on a daily basis."

In 2010, Smith was arrested outside of the White House while protesting the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. He was later invited as a guest of President Barack Obama to the ceremony that that marked the repeal of the law, which barred lesbian, gay and bisexual soldiers from serving openly.

Despite the gains, the LGBT community still faces significant challenges.

"I hope people aim to think critically and be thoughtful of LGBT experiences within our institution," Konrad said. "Prejudice still exists after the repeal of ‘don't ask, don't tell,' and it is crucial to listen to speakers like Smith to understand the continued hardships faced by the LGBT community.

"College is a place to learn and to grow and to change," Smith said. "When people walk out of this lecture I want them to fully appreciate the diversity of experiences that the real world has to offer, and to work hard to create safe spaces and inclusiveness at UW-Whitewater."