Diego Marquez

Question and Answer Session with Diego Marquez, a 2020 graduate of Morningside College. He was an All-American Dancer, and here is his experience as a student athlete while being a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Barrus: “Do you think Morningside students and faculty treat LGBTQ+ students any differently on campus and why?”

Marquez: “In my personal opinion I don’t think so, but I also have not seen a lot of openly LGBTQ people on campus. So maybe in different situations depending on the person maybe it does happen.“

Barrus: “Do you feel like you can express and be who you are on campus, or do you feel like you shy away because you are afraid of what people will think of you?”

Marquez: “For me I don’t let people know I’m gay most of the time. If they notice or ask of course I will say I am gay. But I try to blend in when I’m surrounded by strangers especially at school. It is also a little intimidating being surrounded by so many athletes but lucky for me my experience has been a positive one and everyone accepts me and loves me. I also have had a great time expressing through dance which is typically a girls sport but the support was unreal!”

Barrus: “Do you have any experience where you didn’t feel comfortable on campus because you are part of the LGBTQ+ community?”

Marquez: “At first when I transferred I felt ashamed to say that I was a dancer because I didn’t know what the reaction would be so it was a little uncomfortable at first but then I saw how much support I had.”

Barrus: “What can Morningside do better so that the LGBTQ+ community can feel safe to be themselves on campus?”

Marquez: “I think education is key, I think being at a small college you know only of a couple gay people on campus, so it’s important to be kind. I think maybe having some sort of training, it doesn’t have to be extensive but just educating people. There are a lot of people from small towns that come here and often enough they’re not open minded. We have to be conscious of that because we get a lot of kids from very liberal states that may not feel welcomed in the Midwest.”

Barrus: “Did you have any concerns about coming to a religious college being a part of the LGBTQ+ community? If so, what were they and what questions did you ask?”

Marquez: “I don’t think I have ever felt that M’side was religious at all. For me everyone has been very welcoming and while I do believe in god everything I did with the religious groups was because I chose to do so not because the school made me which I think is important to know.”

Barrus: “Do you think your coach and administration do a good job of making you feel safe and supported on the campus of Morningside? Do you have an example of this?”

Marquez: “Absolutely my coach was more than supportive about me being who I am. At first I was a little nervous when I performed because in certain performances you do have to have some feminine dance qualities so she pushed me to just let go and embrace my dance femininity and not be afraid of what people had to say.”

Barrus: “If you are a student athlete, have you experienced anything in athletics that made you uncomfortable?”

Marquez: “In my experience no, I think by being a well known face on campus I was excused from suffering any discrimination. Because people knew that if they messed with me a lot of people would come to the rescue. Parents, athletes, staff community members were very supportive and wanted to watch me dance and do my thing.”

Barrus: “Did you feel like you had to tell your coach about you being a part of the LGBTQ+ community in the recruiting process? Why or why not?”

Marquez: “No not at all, Sometimes I think we get in this box where some people think being gay is their whole personality. I think there are other traits that define a person and being gay is just a trait. I did not have to let anyone know because it’s none of their business. Of course people assumed just because I danced but that’s just what I believe. I made myself to be the person I am by being kind, outgoing and passionate about my sport.”

Barrus: “Would you be interested in being a part of an organization that meets and discusses issues within the community and forms alliances within the Siouxland community? Why or why not?”

Marquez: “Of course, every college needs a support system or a group to feel like they belong. Honestly Morningside has been very welcoming and the support I received was overwhelming. I loved my two years at morningside and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”