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| About Connor |
Connor Norton is a Sophomore here at Old Dominion University, and is a 2011 graduate with honors of First Colonial High School and The Governor's School for the Arts Magnet Theatre Program. Connor has always been dedicated to an "Art for Change" way of life; "theatre and art is meaningless without an emotion or feeling that is evoked or provoked by though, without an audience to observe, enjoy, and think on...all art is quite useless". His art for change began when he directed "The Laramie Project" in 2012 with Ricardo Melendez, exploring the societal reactions of one of history's most brutal hate crimes. He continued that year to work with The Workshop Theatre Group to produce "Cloaked" a play about leadership, honor, and the will to be who you are in a society that makes harsh judgements and punishments for being who you are.
As passionate as he is about are, his passion also stems for his will to fight for LGBTQ rights across the country and in his University. Connor serves on numerous fundraising and event planning committee for numerous LGBTQ organization across the Hampton Roads; ranging from Hampton Roads Business Outreach, a queer chamber of commerce here in Hampton Roads, to fundraising and coordinating events for Hampton Roads Pride and Out in the Park. Connor also works closely with Access AIDS Care, and has been chairing the "Reel it Out Queer Film Festival of Hampton Roads" project, and has volunteered with Equality Virginia; one of Hampton Roads' most politically involved organizations.
Besides his work with the Queer community of Hampton Roads; he also serves as student representative to ODU Safe space, a member of the ODU Gay-Cultural Studies Advisory Board, Member of the ODU Women's Center Sexual Assault Response Team, and numerous other committees dedicated to the acceptance and promotion of a positive Queer community image on ODU's Campus. Connor has been honored as the 2012 "Spirit of Matthew Shepard" Award Recipient for his "tireless work to replace hate with understanding, compassion, and acceptance within his community" and has most recently been recognized by Campus Pride's 2013 Voice and Action Committee as "One of the Top 10 LGBTQ Collegiate Activists in the Country".
The work Connor does for the LGBTQ Community would not be possible without the mentors, volunteers, fellow peers, and LGBTQ activists from his school and community whom have inspired him to reach for the stars. It his dream that before he leaves Old Dominion, a faculty member will be appointed to handle and coordinate all LGBTQ relations and affairs at ODU; and that they will run an LGBTQ Student Resource Center for all LGBTQ students, faculty, and organizations on ODU's campus to give a safe place and home for students to seen and find shelter in when they're worried about being accepted. Although this is a large and almost impossible dream, with the friends and activists he's found at ODU; this dream, he feels, is a very near and real possibility.
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