Anthony Leo

Doctor Elizabeth Hudson

PS 1010

28 April 2017

PS 1010 Reflection

As I delved into the problem of LGBT+ inequality in the workplace, I was shocked to see

how complicated and complex the matter is. I naturally assumed that it could be solved with

legislation and that it was only a problem because no one had ever sought to fix it. After learning

about the topic over the course of the winter semester of 2017, I now realize that legislation and

policy has been passed yet legislation and policy has also failed to address the entire issue across

the country. As a straight male, I have never encountered discrimination over this premise and

following the completion of this course, I now have a new respect and understanding of a

systemically marginalized group in the workplace that I was not knowledgeable about before.

My experience within this course has had its ups and downs. The most valuable

experience I had while enrolled in PS 1010 was my volunteer work at Affirmations.

Affirmations is a LGBT+ community center located in Ferndale that operates as a non-profit that

provides services and advocacy for LGBT+ equality. As I walked in, my expectations were

minimal. I figured that I would sort through some books relating to the LGBT+ community, get

someone to sign-off for my service hours and then never return. The reality of the situation was

much different and really impacted me in a way that I can hardly articulate. My volunteer work

at Affirmations exposed me to LGBT+ adults that I would have never come into contact with

otherwise. They told me their stories of oppression and the shame they felt for being themselves.

While I sorted through books, I became familiar with the struggles that LGBT+ individuals have
facedwhether it be exclusion from the armed forces, AIDS and the social climate against it, or

the continued oppression and persecution of gay individuals across the planet. Following my

time there, I had the immediate desire to return and help against the social stigma that has

impacted so many people. While there is a most valuable experience, I also had a least valuable

experience within PS 1010. My least valuable experience was the final paper. While prior

assignments required individual completion with group cooperation over topics and prompts, the

final paper involved complete group cohesion and a collective effort. I did not experience this

cohesion and effort within my group and the bulk of organization and effort fell on myself and

another individual while half the group slacked-off. I expected more from honor students when

dealing with a topic that the group and individuals are passionate about and was not impressed

by the laziness for a group assignment that is worth twenty-percent of our final grades.

If I could do this semester over again, I would actively seek more primary sources for my

project. Most of my research tended to focus more on studies of the LGBT+ community rather

than individuals who experienced LGBT+ discrimination firsthand. I engaged the formal

knowledge of the discrimination more than the people the discrimination affected which I feel

placed a moderate limitation on my insight of the problem.

The project-based learning experience from PS 1010 has shown me how college/my

studies can be applicable on an activist level. My prior and other classes never revealed how or

forced me to engage a problem beyond the classroom. My experience through this course has

made be confident that, as an 18 year old college student, I can promote and engage meaningful

change in and around the city that I have grown to love during my time at Wayne State

University.