By Allie Mongan

Writer

A pairing that is sometimes initially viewed as incompatible is getting together to try to create greater understanding. The Bucknell University Conservatives Club (BUCC) and Friends of Lesbians And Gays, Bisexual and Transgender (FLAG&BT) are teaming up to bring a speaker to campus.

Tammy Bruce will be talking with the campus and community Thursday April 7 at 7 p.m. in Rooke Chemistry Auditorium. The talk is entitled “Contrary to Popular Belief: How Conservative Ideas Empower Women, Gays and Blacks.”

Bruce, a self-described, “gay, pro-choice, gun-owning, pro-death penalty, Tea Party Independent Conservative” came to the University a few years ago and was well-received with generally positive feedback. She will talk about myths regarding what conservatism is and how it does not stand against gays, women and African-Americans. She will speak for 35-45 minutes and then the floor will be opened for questions and answers.

Bruce welcomes those who wish to challenge her viewpoints and ideologies. The once-registered Democrat has worked on multiple presidential campaigns, including those of Reagan, Clinton, both Bushes and McCain. You can read Bruce’s blog and listen to her podcasts and radio stations at tammybruce.com.

The purpose of bringing Bruce to campus is to have a speaker that is able to reflect today’s issues on both local and national tones. BUCC and FLAG&BT are coming together to co-sponsor the event because it has a sort of shock factor.

“We want people who initially think there is no way BUCC and FLAG&BT would go together to come. We are trying to engage the campus and have us do something,” said Sarah Thibault ’12, President of FLAG&BT.

There are stigmas and stereotypes in place about what “conservative” and “liberal” mean, and the groups hope Bruce is able to address and debunk them.

“It is not often that separate groups on campus come together to face issues, and having multiple sponsors, in a way, legitimizes it,” said Wes Pyron ’12, President of the BUCC.