Marching into the Price Center waving signs and posters, members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Association rallied on May 2 in celebration of “”Out and Proud”” week.
The rally culminated in an open-mic forum, in which students and other members of the LGBTA community spoke out about some of the issues they face at UCSD, and what it means to be a part of the LGBTA.
Although speakers discussed the hardships and harassment they face in San Diego, the general nature of the rally was one of hope and understanding for the future.
“”It’s easy to talk about the bad experiences,”” said one rally participant, “”but instead, let’s talk about the good ones.””
Following this motto, speakers stood up and openly expressed their sexuality, hoping in return to cultivate understanding and equality. It’s about being human and moving beyond petty differences such as race, religion and sexuality, said one enthusiastic speaker.
Each student spoke in a manner and on a topic that was personal to him or herself. One student read a poem discussing the hardships of being homosexual in the Latino community; another talked about the right of gay marriage, while another student discussed the issue of gay couples adopting children.
Many participants also expressed love and companionship for the LGBTA family and encouraged students both gay and straight to help foster understanding by taking part in the gay and lesbian community.
Speakers were not limited to LGBTA members, however. Several students stood up and, although describing themselves as heterosexual, reiterated the importance of understanding and caring for people regardless of their sexual orientation.
Despite such statements, students discussed the need for improvement in the future and the continuing importance of awareness and understanding of diversity.
“”You have to change people one person at a time,”” said Eleanor Roosevelt College junior Nik Hay. “”In terms of the audience … you see people who respond, who are clapping, and that’s what is important.””
Hay, however, along with other students, noted that some people seemed to be afraid of making eye contact with rally participants on Library Walk, or appeared generally apathetic to the situation.
“”It’s not a disease,”” Hay said. “”You can’t catch it.””
In response to the rally, Assistant Director of the LGBT Resource Office Debbie Blake commented on the courage of the rally speakers.
“”I’m continually amazed at the bravery of the people who share such personal information to bring us together,”” Blake said. “”I just hope that somewhere we conveyed how important this was to us.””
The LGBTA is now widely becoming known as the LGBTQIA. The “”Q”” and “”I”” have been added to the organization’s name to include both “”queer”” and “”intersex”” individuals.