On May 10, Gustavus is hosting Lea DeLaria of Orange is the New Black to speak on issues of political correctness in the queer community.

The effort to bring her talk titled “Lea DeLaria:  A Man for All Seasons”was spearheaded by Junior Gabe Grosshuesch who rounded up organizations and departments from across campus to join together in cosponsoring this event.

These organizations include Queers and Allies, Zeta Chi Phi, Campus Activities Board, Womyn’s Awareness Center, Diversity Leadership Council, I Am We Are, International Cultures Club, Secular Student Alliance, Gustavus Democrats, Office of the Provost, Health Services, Career Center, Residential Life, Diversity Center, Campus Safety, Peer Education, CBSL, Counseling Center, Office of the Dean of Students, Office of the Chaplains, and the English, Philosophy, Sociology/Anthropology, Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, History and Political Science Departments.

“We decided that we wanted to try to make this event as intersectional as possible and bring as many people into it as we could to help co-sponsor it,” Grosshuesch said.

Senior Q&A Co-president, Victoria Contreras, was another student involved in the effort to bring DeLaria to campus.

“It makes a difference on campus to bring someone like Lea in and it’s been a great opportunity to co sponsor with multiple organizations,” Contreras said.

On the topic of political correctness, DeLaria has sparked controversy from both Christian conservatives and radical feminists alike.

DeLaria’s unapologetic stance on political correctness is sure to offer a new perspective to the campus community.

“A lot of times today we try to have conversations about politics be we oftentimes get bogged down by political correctness and proper terminology,” Grosshuesch said.

Along with being a successful actress, DeLaria has been on Broadway, is a jazz musician, and strong activist according to her website, leadelaria.com.

As the event approaches, excitement is at its peak.  Grosshuesch has reached out to other college campuses like Minnesota State University Mankato, The University of Minnesota, Carleton College, and Macalester College; a large turnout is expected.

Contreras also mentioned that some alumni are planning on returning to hear DeLaria Speak.

“I think this is a huge opportunity for our campus and it’s a great exposure point even if you don’t agree with the queer community or some of the things she says it’s still an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to reach out and see something different that we haven’t brought to campus before,” Contreras said.

Gustavus brings many speakers to campus, but Lea DeLaria’s talk has been months in the making.

“I’m really excited to see it all come together the day of. I want there to be a large group of people there, I want the chapel to be filled,” Grosshuesch said.

Contreras expressed her excitement for this event along with the significance it has in fostering discussion on campus. DeLaria will be offering her unique perspective to the campus community.

“In general I think OITNB has been a way for people to understand the queer community more, in a different lens,”  Contreras said.

For all Orange is the New Black fans and those interested in the controversies surrounding political correctness “Lea DeLaria: A Man for All Seasons” will be held in the Chapel on Tuesday, May 10 at 6 p.m. A large turnout is expected since this event is not ticketed and open to the community along with students from other campuses.