In response to “GSA Reactions“

I was deeply saddened and frustrated by the article on GSA Reactions because it clearly showed that there is still a lot of ignorance about the LGBT+ community at Marquette.

Ignorance doesn’t make you a bad person, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to be better. Ignorance is, however, the root cause of hatred, bullying, and discrimination and this is why the GSA exists: to educate and ally with fellow students.

The so-called “apathetic reactions” were in fact very negative. They showed the persisting fear and sexualization surrounding homosexuality. What many fail to realize is that gay people are just that: people who happen to be gay. They are people who want the same rights and treatment that many heterosexual people take for granted. GSA doesn’t exist to “recruit” anyone; members of the LGBT+ community know better than anyone else that sexuality and gender identity aren’t things you can choose.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, 92% of students hear negative things about the LGBT community, the main sources being school, the internet and their peers. This is another reason the Gay Straight Alliance exists: to educate people about LGBT social issues, and to work to get rid of the hatred and stigma LGBT students so often face, both subtle and direct.

To anyone who questions whether this school needs a GSA, come to a meeting. Listen to some stories. Make some new friends. I guarantee you’ll learn something.