Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club (SAGA) members discussed recent federal hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community during their meeting on Wednesday, March 19, in the Multicultural Center.
Music Major Teal Kim expressed her feelings that the current federal administration disregards the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I feel anxious, unsettled, angry, it is terrifying, whatever is going on,” Kim said. “I worry about this administration affecting the community and they do not seem to prioritize, and disregard our community safety, health, well-being and human rights.”
Art Major Howell Martinez added his concerns related to the LGTBQ+ youth community and shared his experience as a trans person.
“I feel like there is a big target towards LGBTQ youth, especially trans [people] that are under 18,” Martinez said. “I have had my own experiences of doctors acting like they do not know what to do because I’m trans and getting inadequate treatment. I’m doing pretty good as a trans individual in this state, but I fear for my trans friends who are underage, and living in southern states. They are not taken seriously and the healthcare they need is being taken away.”
SAGA Club President Rui Dutallas discussed the purpose of this club, which is to provide a safe space for this community.
“SAGA, at Pierce College, I feel is a very important space,” Dutallas said. “Particularly in our current administration, a lot of queer people are being attacked, so we wish to be a place that offers brief respite in troubling times.”
Dutallas also mentioned a recent incident of torn-down SAGA posters near the Center for Science.
“We have had incidents occurring, our posters torn down,” Dutallas said. “We do not know who exactly tore the posters, but it did instill confusion on why we were particularly targeted. We are just here trying to be a safe space. Nonetheless, we are still resilient.”
Martinez hopes to remain strong in advocating LGBTQ+ rights.
“I feel like it was bound to happen, and it might continue to happen,” Martinez said. “We are clear that we are not going away, and continue to spread this message that we are here for other people who need this sort of space.”
Media arts major Fernando Sarabia hopes to live a normal life in the future, despite the challenges presented.
“I just want to see just being accepted like people without questioning,” Sarabia said.
Dutallas shared upcoming plans for the SAGA club.
“We are having plans and discussions to work with the LGBTQ centers of other universities and help their causes,” Dutallas said. “Hopefully, we can rally some forces to protect those who need it the most.”