Gay-Straight Alliance Works to Create Tolerance, Respect

It is a truth that many young people use college to examine their sense of identity for the first time. In doing so, some students explore their sexual identity and discover they cannot identify with a heterosexual lifestyle. Instead, they come to the realization that they are part of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual) culture.

Realizing and accepting this proves difficult for many students. They often need a support web of friends and family that understand this situation. At Southwestern College, students will find the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is there to help them.

That is, of course, if the students can actually find where they meet.

Alan Wade, adjunct professor of English and the club’s faculty adviser, said that GSA met in a different room every semester and it was rarely ever the same place. He called it “room limbo.”

“We have to get a new room every time,” he said. “Though we do get one at some point. There has been trouble this semester with scheduling conflicts. Right now we meet in front of Jason’s coffee cart. That’s our place when we don’t have a place.”



The GSA is an Associated Student Organization-sponsored club that meets every Wednesday at 11 a.m. to talk and enjoy the spirit of fellowship. Though the number of students at each meeting fluctuates, all students are welcome to attend regardless of their sexual orientation.

“The Gay-Straight Alliance is here for students who wonder about themselves, or feel like this could be a support group they need,” said Tammy Nguyen, a longtime officer. “It’s for gay and straight people, anyone from the LGBT community, everyone.”

Wade said the GSA sought to drive real change on campus.

“We want to provide a safe space for people to be themselves,” Wade said. “We want to make the campus climate a much more amiable place. We want to further educate people about our issues and support and demythologize who we are. We’re just basically people who want to study, get through life, and be loved, just like everybody else.”

Nguyen, 21, said she is a typical student. She is studying sociology and communications, and hopes to transfer to either UCSD or SDSU next year. She has been a member of the GSA since high school.

“We try to promote awareness,” she said. “This is something that you may not ever have to understand, but at least accept it.”

Wade became the GSA adviser three years ago. He said he feels great affection for these students.

“All the different clubs would say their constituents are really important,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to say ours are any more important, but as we know LGBT kids are in danger of being badly bullied.”

Wade said the GSA welcomed “LGBT students and straight people that care about them,” but didn’t ask that people identify as either.

“Anyone can come to a meeting,” he said. “They can be questioning their identity, but they don’t have to come out. They don’t have to say ‘I’m gay’ or ‘I’m not gay.’ By having this be the Gay-Straight Alliance, people can come to a meeting and not have to come out.”

He insisted that straight people are welcome, so long as they are there as allies, not enemies.

“Straight people can be fabulous, too,” he said.

Nguyen acknowledged that the GSA did have some issues that other clubs might not have.

“I’ve asked a lot of students if they even know there is a GSA. They don’t,” Nguyen said. “We need to work on publicizing ourselves.”

Wade said some of that was because of vandalism and the controversial nature of the GSA.

“Often signs we put up advertising what we’re doing are torn down,” he said. “It’s hard to catch someone in the act and it’s hard to keep our name out there.”

He said the best way to do that would be to have a permanent space dedicated to LGBT students.

“We need some space,” he said. “It doesn’t need to be fancy. Just some closet here on campus will work, as long as the students can find it and have security, a safe space, and fellowship with other likeminded students.”

Wade said the problem every semester is waiting for a room while a single student is in pain, trying to deal with coming out issues.

Nguyen said she initially joined the ASO to help further the cause of a student resource center.

“I’ve talked to many people and it will take time to get it, but my hope for this year is to at least give the college an idea that this might happen,” she said.

Nguyen pointed out that SWC already had a resource center dedicated to one constituency.

“There’s already a women’s resource center,” she said. “Why don’t we extend that to the LGBT community? If money wasn’t an object, I would definitely love a separate center. But since it is, I feel this is the best way to get close to our goal.”

Wade said a resource center of any sort would reflect well on the college.

“I think we would be the third community college in the state to have one,” he said. “It would be very important, being that SWC is located right on the border.”

Both agree the GSA brings a message of positive values to the campus and hope it will be able to do even more.

“There is certainly violence at homes in some situations,” he said. “These kids need a place to go. They need to hear ‘go to that room right there.’ They need a hug, information, and to not feel so isolated. We need a place immediately.”

Nguyen said she is proud to be a member of the GSA.

“I love the people,” she said. “I love the club. I love what they stand for.”

Wade said that affection is an important part of the group’s output.

“We generate love and support,” he said. “And it’s a good thing.”