Samuel Brinton
Kansas State University
Class of 2011
Program of Study: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering & Vocal Music Performance, Minor in Chinese
Intended Profession: International Nuclear Energy Policy and Law
Age: 23
Home: Manhattan, KS
“I can't believe they chose ME! I'm from KANSAS! They think I made a difference. I AM going to make a difference in this world. For a conservative university in the middle of Kansas, Kansas State University sure gave me the perfect chance to learn who I was - no matter who that was. A few years ago, I thought I was the only gay man on earth. With this Voice and Action Leadership Award, I will keep working to make sure no student ever feels that alone again.” ~ Samuel Brinton
Samuel Brinton is currently a senior at Kansas State University studying Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering & Vocal Music Performance expecting his Bachelor of Science & Bachelor of Arts in May 2011. Sam also minors in Chinese Language.
At, Kansas State, Samuel is not only a passionate change agent for the LGBTQ communities on campus he is also a proven scholar in the field of Nuclear Engineering – 7 publications so far & counting! Samuel grew up as a missionary child living in such exciting locations as the Amazon jungle. He continued his international experience studying at Shanghai University during the Fall 2009 semester and attending international conferences of nuclear engineering in Japan, Belgium, Switzerland and South Africa.
When Samuel is state-side he continues his passion for LGBT equality through his progressive fraternity Delta Lambda Phi and serving with the local Flint Hills Human Rights Project and PFLAG. His peers recognized his passion and leadership by supporting Samuel as the President of LGBT and Allies of Kansas State. In addition (even though we know gay men are banned from giving blood) Samuel was active in the Red Cross Club as the Public Relations Director and through his leadership he assisted the organization to set records in blood donations.
One interesting fact about Samuel – he toured Europe as one of the top five high school singers in the United States.
However, to understand how his two passions of Nuclear Weapon Non-Proliferation and LGBT Equality come together one must read his story. The Committee began to learn his story by reading his cover letter, of which an excerpt is below.
“As a senior in Nuclear Engineering and Music, my life has always been one of balance and combination. I have used my engineering talents of organization to grow an organization (LGBT and Allies) from birth to over 30 members in a very conservative and religious community. I have used my musical passion for creativity to organize the Alternative2 Spring Break for LGBT and allied students to be able to serve their community regardless of orientation.
“I grew up as the son of Southern Baptist missionaries and without knowing what the word “gay” was (we just called them abominations) I asked my father why I was feeling attracted to my best friend, Dale. I don’t remember the second punch but I do remember waking up in the emergency room for the third time asking the doctors not to send me back and telling them that I had not fallen down the stairs again. When “punching the gay out” didn’t work we moved to conversion therapy. Being told I had AIDS and was going to die if the government found me was only the beginning. I would be strapped down with blocks of ice or heating pads placed on my hands while pictures of men holding hands were shown. The conversion ended when I told my parents I was straight to stop the electrocution by needles in my fingers while gay sex acts where shown to me. When I would later come back out to them for a second time I was told never to walk back in that house if I wanted to walk out alive.
“I tell you the story of my conversion therapy not for dramatic effect but to explain why I do what I do. I cannot let another child go through that torture because their parents think this is the only way to have a normal child. I will keep working through my political means until someday, when a student turns on the television, they will see a man just like them speaking to the United States Senate with a bright pink scarf on.”
Samuel, we are impressed with your courage and determination to create a better world for LGBT Youth.
One of the essays, we asked each applicant to discuss how their work contributes in bringing about positive change for LGBT persons. Here is Samuel in his own words;
“My work for equality got a late start thanks to the issues discussed in my cover letter but thankfully it has blossomed into a life-long passion. Although I may not be joining the national LGBT advocacies as a full time employee after graduation, I intend to use my intellectual and emotional power to defend our rights as a lawyer while also fighting for the proper use of nuclear energy. As a student who felt alone for too long I work to make sure no student feels that way at my school regardless of their difference. Whether it is organizing the first pride march of Manhattan, KS to serving on a panel discussing LGBT Christianity my life has been changed to promote the understanding of LGBT issues since understanding leads to acceptance.
“It is hard to describe the impact I have had through my work for change. Ask 10 people around campus and probably eight of them will know me and my crazy positive attitude and work for diversity at KSU. The other two have seen me riding by with my pink scarf waving in the wind. That is how I know there is an impact. I am just a young man who will make you remember that no matter who you are; you deserve to be respected.”
No matter where Samuel goes he will be a fierce advocate in the quest to ensure equality for all people. In addition, we can see he is going to use his passion for creating positive change to guide our world in becoming a place that is safe for all people. The issue of nuclear energy use is not blind to the issues facing the LGBT Communities. Samuel understands that he has to ensure we have our planet intact so we can continue our quest of equality.
With that being said when the Committee read Samuel’s essay discussing the greatest challenges the LGBT Movement is currently facing we were struck by the realness of his answer. It caused us to pause and reflect on the fact we know all too well – not all areas of this country are at the same place in our quest of equality. When we tell our youth that it does get better, we must understand the environment they are in to ensure we give our youth realistic hope and goals. Samuel explains;
“In a world where I can be told “You are fired”, “Get out of my store”, or “You have a week to leave this apartment” because of who I love; how am I supposed to tell my peers it gets better? Sure my life has improved from the destructive harm of conversion therapy my parents forced upon me but the pressures of searching for a company that accepts me for who I am and having to not consider opportunities due to the lack of protections offered in an area can be just as disheartening. In Manhattan, KS we are working to add these protections within our city limits. The amount of effort this simple step has taken helps me realize why my work fighting for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is so important. A federal effort to stop the discrimination felt by so many students as they enter the workforce is a task the LGBT persons and allies must unite in support of.
“I am certain if we show our passion for simply having the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexuals then we may have a chance to grow up as a normal part of society. The issues of marriage, DADT, and hate crimes are much easier to deal with when you can speak openly without the fear of losing your job or your home. As an activist I feel we need to have a very strong relationship with our elected officials. Their secretaries need to know us by name with not a week going by that we do not call asking them to support a specific initiative such as the repeal of DADT, the support of ENDA, or the support of the Matthew Shephard Act. Being from conservative Kansas, the common response by email may be thanks for the concern but they will not be supporting such measures on moral grounds. It is for this reason that we must work to bring those who do support us into office. And since this is not always feasible in some states, working to show just how simple gays rights to house and livelihood truly are must also be accomplished. When working to pass LGBT protections in Manhattan … I generally start with the statement that this isn’t about whom I love, but instead about letting me find who I love in an environment just like any other student. Equality must begin in simple forms to grow to into its final state.”
We thank Samuel for reminding us that we still have a lot of work ahead of us, however as a movement we have the ability to make solid positive change in the lives of all people – not just in the United States, but the citizens on the World.
So what do others have to say about Samuel?
“Sam can do it all! He currently has a 3.7 on a 4.0 scale double majoring in Mechanical Engineering (Nuclear option) and Vocal Music Performance, along with a minor in Chinese. Sam is a very gifted student and is well liked by his professors and peers. In my 20 years in academia, I have never met a student with the broad base of talent (Engineering and Music) displayed by Sam Brinton.
“Sam has made a huge impact on our campus. He is extremely well respected, has superb leadership skills, and is fun to be around. His leadership for gay rights and inclusiveness on our campus will have a profound effect on Kansas State University for years to come.” ~ Kirk H. Schulz, Kansas State University, President
“Ever since Sam Brinton has graced K-State’s Student Governing Association (SGA) with his presence, the body has truly experienced a face-lift. Not only has Sam figuratively and literally added more color to our weekly meetings, but he has also added a certain dimension that our leadership had not yet experienced.
“It has been a fun and rewarding honor to work alongside Sam for these last couple of years on SGA. While he will be missed when he graduates this year, his impact will have lasting effects. Sam has paved the way for present and future LGBT students looking to become leaders at K-State and he has instilled a legacy of equality and inclusion throughout this small Kansas town.” ~ Annie Oliver, Kansas State University SGA, Vice President
Thoughts from the Voice & Action Selection Committee; “Demonstrates a commitment to the common good and tremendous courage,” “Wow! Powerful! Passion!!,” “Overall an amazing young man, passionate advocate,” and “He is changing the "college town" beyond his college's walls.”
We are so proud to be able to recognize Samuel Brinton as one of the 2011 Campus Pride National Voice & Action Leadership Award recipients.
Edited and written by: Christopher Bylone, Voice & Action Selection Committee, Chair
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