The New Gay Straight Alliance

The Texas A&M International University's Gay Straight Alliance kicked off the 2010-2011 school year at the Student Organizational Fair on Sept. 1, 2010. The event featured students interested in addressing issues pertaining to gender identity, sexual orientation, and promoting tolerance among the members of the TAMIU community. Members of the organization set up an informational booth, which provided students with a visual of the issues the group wishes to address throughout the school year. Organizations such these intended to promote diversity among students, while highlighting the various interests of the TAMIU student body.

The members of the organization itself are in the process of establishing a long lasting identity for the group on campus. When asked about the organization's goal for the 2010-2011 school year Gabriel Sanchez, president of the GSA, stated, "Right now our goal is to expand, to make our presence felt, and to participate in as many events as possible, as well as lay the foundation for next year's GSA."

TAMIU's GSA wishes to participate in events throughout the community, as well as create their own. Among the events planned is a movie night, which will depict a film addressing issues within the gay community. The Gay Straight Alliance will also participate in the National Day of Silence held April 16. The Day of Silence requires individuals to take a vow of silence in order to illustrate the silencing effect that bullying and harassment has on LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) students.

As opposed to previous years, the organization's direction has shifted. The purpose of the organization according to Sanchez is "to create a forum where gay people, straight people, and the rest of the LGBT community can speak up and be themselves." The president of GSA further stated, "We would like to create a better community for everyone here on campus and hopefully around Laredo."

For further information on The National Day of Silence visit http://www.dayofsilence.org or contact the organization at tamiugsa@hotmail.com or facebook.com/TAMIUGSA.  

(Mariela Rodriguez may be reached at mariela_rod@dusty.tamiu.edu)