RING

The Story Behind RING

            Ross Kraynak brought crafts and snacks to the MSU students involved in RING as they gathered together in the Abbott Hall cafeteria on a typical Monday night.

            RING, standing for Respecting Individuals on Neutral Grounds, is a group to support those who aren’t always supported by society like they should be according to Kraynak.

            RING is a group open to gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual students in the North Complex of MSU. Treasurer Sabrina Yap was happy to hear that outsiders felt welcomed at their meeting that evening.

            Anna Ring is a sophomore at Michigan State participating in her first year being a part of the RING program.    

            “Honestly I went to my first RING meeting because I had just broken up with someone I had dated for a long while. I wanted to meet new people and just forget about the break up for a few hours. It worked,” said Ring.

            Ring said that she is where she is sexually because of the support she has had from her family and friends. She has been able to be “out and proud” and has never had to hide anything from the people who matter most, according to Ring.

            The goal of RING is to unite LGBT students and allies on campus. They focus on diversity and equality by spreading awareness on certain issues according to Ring.

            “It’s a group where I can feel completely comfortable in and just be "me". I feel like no one will judge me for being who I am. I feel safe, there,” said Ring.

            If Ring could give one piece of advice to people coming out, it would be to tell someone who you feel really comfortable with and know will be there for you no matter what, and then go from there. “Take one step at a time”, said Ring.

            President of RING Ross Kraynak is in the beginning of his second year running the program. After observing Kraynak’s passion for the group when he made Peter Pan hats with the students just to brighten their night, his response to his favorite part of it was a tough one to come up with.

            “This year I’ve been more hands on with leadership and it has really forced me to do things I want to do otherwise as far as speaking in front of people,” said Kraynak.

            He said watching the younger members grow in their leadership skills and comfort level is very rewarding.

            “Next week is documentary night and we’re watching Red Without Blue,” said Kraynak.

            The film is about male twins who grew up with the traditional American dream. One brother comes out as gay and the other comes out as a transgender, Kraynak said. The film shows how the family adapted to the changes and accepted each other.

            “People don’t realize that we talk about everything, not just gay white males,” said Kraynak.

            The story behind Yap is one of inspiration. She is a proud bisexual female but doesn’t “shout things from the rooftop.”

            “When I realized that a person's biological sex identity wasn't necessarily a hindrance to romantic relationships for me, I told all my friends and I've told my mother, but I think she always thought and still thinks I'm joking” said Yap.

            Yap admits that if she does live a heterosexual life, she doesn’t want to make a big deal about it and would rather cross that bridge when she comes to it.

            “I never told my father, but I never tell him much of anything anyway, so it's not about concealing any specific matter,” said Yap.

            She said her friends both here and back home were aware of her sexuality.

            “I think it's important for those who are allies or queer-identified to be out if they're comfortable being so, because our presence alone lets others in our community know that they're not alone” said Yap.

            Being alone and denying a part of yourself that is really important to you is no way to live at all, Yap said.

            “I believe that if you really love someone, then the person's sex shouldn’t matter very much to you,” said Yap.

            The active RING member and supporter has such an open mind and finds it difficult to see things otherwise.

            “Maybe this is an ideal, but in a world that knows labels rather then people, it is hard enough to find real love without letting small things get in the way, and I think that we shouldn't get between people who are willing to fight society to be together,” said Yap.

            Yap said she is thankful for RING being a part of her life and helping to pave her way.           

            “I do regret that I wasn't more involved earlier because involvement opens up so many learning opportunities, and you gain so many friends that you wouldn't otherwise have,” said Yap.

            The social aspects of RING are beneficial to Yap, but school comes first, she said.

            “I figured if I were going to put an experience down on paper, then it may as well be for a cause I can truly get behind,” says Yap.