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Local News
The Speak Out For Equality Club, a new club formed this year to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, is taking part in today's National Coming Out Day.
Smigo started the club this year after moving to Yuma and starting her job as AWC's coordinator of residence life. She said that, as she met with local people involved with the gay community and gay rights, she saw a void for this kind of organization at AWC. "I met individuals out in the community ... they said there’s never been a club on campus," Smigo said. "I just thought, you know, what the heck?" Smigo said she has organized clubs like this before when she was a graduate student in Pennsylvania. She started one at Pennsylvania State University's Mont Alto campus and was involved in the LGBT community at Shippensburg University. "I think for any student population that might have, at one time, been marginalized in society, they need support from adult role-models to help them make the best decisions," said Smigo. She said the first meeting of the year brought in about 10 students. "We usually have anywhere from 5-10 students, which is pretty good for a campus this size," she added. "The club is there for their support, more than anything else." The club will provide mentoring and networking connections to the students. So far, Smigo said she's pleased with the reception the club has gotten at AWC. She said members have not faced any discrimination of which she is aware. "I really think it’s good. ... People are picking it up and they’re being receptive to it. ... I was standing at the table and I did see people do a quick turn of the head like, ‘What’s that?’ It’s new." Speak Out club members will be out on campus today passing out information. They will also be selling "Gay? Fine By Me" T-shirts for $10. The shirts are sold by similar campus organizations around the nation. The money raised from selling them at AWC will go to support the Speak Out club. Many AWC students haven't formed much of an opinion about the new club yet. "Let them do whatever they want to do," said Andy Gonzalez, an AWC freshman. "I don't think it's right, but it's their opinion," said Evelyn Enriquez, a nursing freshman. Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.  |
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