Rigoberto Madrid
News Reporter

Many students would say that college life is an exciting experience. Yet while meeting new friends, living independently, and getting good grades may be hard enough for students, being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender can be a topic hard to discuss for some students. The Gay Straight Alliance is here to serve the needs of these individuals, and those who may not have experience with those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
“Raising awareness for the club is one of our biggest things,” Sarah Swedberg, advisor for GSA said. “We’re interested in educating and bringing awareness. If students need help, someone to talk to, or legal advice, we are here.”
Monday was National Coming Out Day. A booth outside of the ACB building was part of the GSA’s way of bringing awareness to Mesa State students and their national Expand Your Vocabulary campaign.
“It’s kind of a launch for the national campaign,” GSA president Amanda Williams said.
The Expand Your Vocabulary campaign is aimed toward stopping the seemingly harmless phrases such as ‘that’s so gay,’ that can come off as derogatory.
“Homosexuality or being gay is hard to talk about,” Williams said. ”Especially when there is a negative stereotype that goes along with it, but in GSA it is a good thing. It’s good because it is who you are.”
GSA picked October for its ‘significant’ month because it’s also National GLBT History Month.
“We really try not to expose individuals who may be gay, and to educate those who may not of been exposed to gays, or lesbians in their past,” explained Williams.
“If there’s a student ready to come out to his parents or friends, and doesn’t have anyone to help support them, that could be hard. We are there to be an advocate for those that are ready to come out.”
A display case, located in Tomlinson Library, displays pictures of famous gay people, artifacts, books and an article from a 1917 edition of the Criterion, which announced a GSA club coming to campus.
A slam poetry session with Andrea Gibson will be held from 7-8 p.m. on Oct. 23 in the Black Box Theatre located in the Moss Performing Arts building.
“If you don’t know who Andrea Gibson is, you should, she’s a pretty big deal,” said Williams. “She talks closely about the inequalities within the gay community.”
The session is free to students with their MavCard and is $5 for the public.
There will also be a presentation concerning the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy within the armed forces on Oct. 26 from 7-9 p.m.
For more information on GSA, call 970-248-1024.

remadrid@mesastate.edu