It may seem like a small deal, but most people are afraid to show who they really are, especially people in the LGBTQ community. People fear that their true colors may bring rejection, harassment, and seclusion from friends and even family. Concerns like these are a prime reason for people to join GSA @ Woodland.
The goal of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance @ Woodland (GSA) is to create a safe and friendly environment for any students wishing to join. The club brings together students who identify as LGBTQ to get to know each other and share their experiences. However, anybody can join the club who either supports LGBTQ or just wants to get together and hang out.
Matt Pumarejo – President of GSA @ Woodland
Matt Pumarejo, the president of the organization, offered a more in depth idea of how the club operates.
Hawk Headlines: What about GSA is beneficial to the students at Woodland?
Matt Pumarejo: I think GSA provides a safe space for everyone, mostly those of the LGBT community and their allies. It also helps make school a safer environment for everyone.
HHL: Why do you personally recommend that people get involved with GSA?
M.P.: Mostly to create a safer environment for people that believe in equality and want a safe place to hang out with others.
HHL: How do you think GSA has impacted the school?
M.P.: GSA has done some great efforts to make the school a safer, accepting place. We also have more events coming soon.
You can listen to the full interview here: https://drive.google.com/a/region16ct.org/file/d/0B_DWDS-XoekzaGY4OXQ4cEkzNVk/view?usp=sharing
The first meeting of the club on September 20th started with an icebreaker: members sat in a circle, introduced themselves, and shared something about themselves. Next, everyone played a game where they learned some interests of each other. Finally, before the club concluded, Pumarejo shared some upcoming events that the club was attending that year. Overall, the first meeting was excellent. Everybody was accepting of each other, refreshments were provided, and was overall a good experience.
Going back to events, one annual event that the club attends is “True Colors”, this two-day event takes place in March, at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in Storrs, CT. It is primarily a conference for the LGBTQ community, with over 200 workshops to attend at the event. You can find more information on this event at ourtruecolors.org
Meetings take place every Wednesday in Rm 202 by Advisor Jess Block and welcome anyone who is part of the LGBTQ community, support of believe in equality among everybody, or just want to hang out.
