Edward Zambrano said he was raised in a Latino household where his father said to never show fear, serve as a protector of his sisters and be a household figurehead.
But when one of the 23-year-old UF political science senior’s sisters shared her experience on social media for the #MeToo movement, he came to a realization.
“That’s when it hit me the most that I have to do my part,” Zambrano said.
On Thursday night in Turlington Hall, Sigma Lambda Beta, a UF Latino-based cultural fraternity, partnered with Sexual Trauma Interpersonal Violence Education by GatorWell to facilitate a discussion titled “No es No,” talking about rape culture on college campuses.
The hour-long forum was the third event in the organizations’ three-day series of events to bring attention to the issue and its roots in machismo culture, or an aggressive masculine pride often presented in Latino culture, said Zambrano, the UF Sigma Lambda Beta assistant chairperson for cultural awareness.
“I hope, above all, men understand that the issue of sexual assault is a men’s issue, too,” Zambrano said.
About 75 students attended the free event. The audience was mostly women, with about 15 men present.
The discussion started by defining what consent is and then covered topics, such as rape culture’s presence within our societal norms and what people can do to change it. Students then engaged in an open conversation about rape culture and ways to change it.
The event was funded by the Panhellenic Council, the Black Student Union, the Asian American Student Association and Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority Incorporated.
Olivia Thalassinos, a 19-year-old UF management freshman, said she came to the event because she’s dealt with uncomfortable instances on campus before.
“There have been times when a guy will ask me for my phone number when I’m out, and I’m too scared to say no,” she said.
Nicholas Wong, a 21-year-old UF business administration junior, said he learned a lot about women’s perspective on the matter.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear how deeply it affects women lives,” Wong said. “From being scared to walk home alone at night, carrying pepper spray and locking the doors immediately when they get in the car. Those are things I never think about doing.”
Correction: Edward Zambrano is the assistant chairperson for cultural awareness. The Alligator previously reported differently.
Audience members were offered free condoms, buttons and pizza Thursday during the No Es No: Dissecting Rape Culture on Campus event in Turlington Hall. About 75 students attended the event, which was presented by Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity and Sexual Trauma Interpersonal Violence Education by GatorWell.
