GiGi Robertson

Incoming freshmen and students transferring to The University of Oklahoma are required to attend a three-hour special training program – the result of a video lasting less than a minute showing members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity singing a racially derogatory song in March 2015.

“You have to be sensible, you have to be respectful to those around you because the world is changing. We are coming out more diverse, and we are becoming more aware. There is a lot less tolerance for intolerance.” said J.D. Baker, president of the OU Student Government Association.

In April 2016, a sign was posted on the door of a bathroom located at the Cube, a drive-thru convenience store in Norman that said, “No Trans-gender zone.” Seven months later, during Oklahoma State University’s “OU Hate Week,” a banner reading “DeDe Westbrook & Baker Mayfield bang dudes” was on display at the OSU student union.

There are roughly 26 bills being considered by the Oklahoma Legislature that will in some way limit, discriminate or threaten the rights of the LGBTQ community.

Two-plus years after a racist SAE fraternity chant rocked OU, two Sooner football players are doing their part to make sure the lessons their team learned aren’t forgotten as they enter their senior years.

“The fight is never over with,” said safety Steven Parker, who had just finished his freshman year when the incident occurred in March 2015.

When feeling a lack of control and need for escape, Gigi Robertson turns to what makes all her stress from the day fall right off her shoulders – her camera.

“There’s nothing at all I don’t admire about it. I enjoy it all down to packing my camera bag,” the 15-year-old incoming sophomore said. “There’s a comfort in hearing the shutter close, feeling the button click; there are so many things you can do with what you’re gripping in your fingers.”