ISU senior Robert Alberts says the university supported the idea of hosting the LGBT conference from the beginning. (Photo by Eric Stock/WJBC)

By Eric Stock 

NORMAL – An Illinois State University students was instrumental in landing one of the largest conventions of its kind to the community. 

Senior Robert Alberts from Gurnee said from the time he was a freshman, he wanted the annual Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference to come to ISU. 

"Being an LGBT person, even in this day and age is difficult," Alberts said. "For college students, this is the first time they feel like they are part of a community for some of them. Some of them come from small schools and small towns." 

Alberts said the university supported the effort from the beginning which he discovered after talking to students at other colleges, he found ISU to be somewhat unique.

"A lot of schools say they are affirmative of diversity… but a lot of times at different universities, it's just words they have to say," Alberts said. "Illinois State taking such a pro stance on this shows they really are committed to what they are saying."

The conference will he held on campus Feb. 13 – 15 and is being branded 'Narrating a New Normal.' It will feature nearly 100 peer workshops and guest speakers including 'Orange is the New Black' star Laverne Cox, the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category.

The three-day conference is expected to draw 2,700 attendees from 13 states.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].