Sage Lynn / Roundup
Monday, on the Pierce College Mall, the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) held a bake sale, not only to raise funds but to raise awareness of their mission to promote awareness, acceptance, and equality.
In the past, GSA bake sales have raised over $1500 for Aids Walk Los Angeles. Monday’s bake sale was to raise funds for the club itself in order to produce future events. This semester GSA will be sponsoring a three day event that will include: a two day panel discussion on various topics concerning the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer (LGBTQ) community and end with an “Accept and Respect Festival” which will include a talent show.
Past events have included a speaker from a local gay and lesbian center on the topic of AIDS in which vitamins were passed out to the attendees. Other speakers included representatives of the transgender community to discuss legal issues that face community members.
In October of 2010, GSA set up an “In Your Face” display on the mall to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Matthew Sheppard, who was brutally attacked and left for dead against a fence overlooking the town of Laramie, WY.
Various club members sat against a wall wearing a mask that read: “this could be your friend.”
Another shock-and-awe campaign included chalk outlines of people who were the victims of hate crimes. The most shocking was the outline of a three-year-old boy who was beaten to death by his father who claimed he wanted to “beat the gay out of him” because the child liked the color pink.
GSA’s current campaign is to foster the “Safe Space” campaign started by The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The campaign strives to put up posters in classrooms to say, “This is a safe place for LGBTQ students.”
During a convocation seminar, held before the first day of the Fall Semester, faculty and staff were educated about the “Safe Space” campaign. Instructors that display the posters in their classrooms are aware of the issues that LGBTQ students face and know how to handle problems if or when they arise.
According to Amber-Rose Kelly, current president of the Pierce College GSA chapter, the entire English Department and most of the Sociology Department are already on board with the “Safe Space” campaign.
www.glsen.com
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Pierce Student Susumu “Paul” Hagiwada smiles from under his panda costume during the GSA-sponsored Safe Sex Valentine’s Day bake sale on Monday along the Pierce Mall. (Crystal Endless)
This giant sign was featured at the GSA’s Safe Sex Valentine’s Day bake sale Monday at the Pierce Mall. The message was aimed to promote safe sex on the most romantic day of the year. (Crystal Endless)
