COLUMN: LGBTQA Center is the difference between life and death
When I first started writing this I planned on keeping it as generic as possible, because generic is “safe.” But I realized doing so wouldn’t convey the feelings I have about this topic.
When I began going to USU, I was terrified. As part of an often unknown and unwanted minority in a place with an unusually large majority population, I had every plan to avoid social interaction at any cost to stay “safe.”
My plan hasn’t exactly worked out. Instead, I was lucky enough to find something I never expected – support and safety.
I wish I could say the entire university has provided both of these completely, but like everything, USU has a long way to go. But even with the leaps and bounds USU has to go, we still manage to have some amazing opportunities for support.
Even before I was a student I started my search in the LGBTQA Center, which is part of the Access and Diversity Center. I didn’t know what I was looking for exactly, but I found a hand to lead me to another hand that ended up with me enrolled as a student.
From there I ended up at Counseling and Psychological Services, which led me to Allies training after much avoidance – avoidance in large part because I didn’t want to be seen as a member of the LGBTQ community. I wanted to stay safe and hidden.
Allies on Campus training is something I am extremely passionate about. I can’t even begin to go over how important it is in this particular column. Needless to say, I felt hope when I attended my first Allies training. There’s something truly special about seeing people meet to learn and share how to make USU a safer, more enlightened school.
After such a positive experience, I took the chance and attended my first LGBTQA Brown Bag hosted by CAPS, the LGBTQA Center and Access and Diversity Center. There, I found the support I never knew I needed. I heard others stories and people listened to my story.
I felt less alone.
The LGBTQA Center and the Access and Diversity Center that houses it have become a second home for me. It was my safe space and it still is, along with the entire third floor of the TSC. I cannot put into words how invaluable that feeling of safety and acceptance is.
It can quite literally be the difference between life and death.
Coming to school can be terrifying. Especially as an LGBTQA student, it can feel hopeless, but it doesn’t have to be. There are people, programs and events just for you. There are places of safety and support here – you just have to walk inside and give them the chance to protect and support you too.
– Alec is an intern working in the Access and Diversity Center at Utah State University. Send any comments to alec.player@usu.edu.