Voice to the Voiceless

Published: November 11


While looking though the MSUM Sexuality column blog, I (finally) noticed that one of the articles -“Time to Recognize,” had a comment! Firstly, let me say that I’m thrilled that someone is looking at the blog. Yay social networking!
The following is the response posted on October 8th, 2010, by an unnamed source: “While I do think people are ill informed about the GSA club on campus, I also think there is a sort of exclusionary feel toward the Rainbow Room. I have felt a little bit as though I need an invitation to come and talk and hang out or whatever, since I'm not gay myself. I think this is often the emotion of the other students. I would maybe go so far as to say some people may just be intimidated because of a lack of knowledge or information about the GLBTQAI community on campus. Maybe part of making the GSA club more visible and accepted on campus is emphasizing that GSA is about giving voice to the voiceless and empowering those who have been systematically dis-empowered. This means anyone who has a strong conviction toward this line of thinking can join or get involved.”
I’m much obliged Unnamed source, for this thought out response. Furthermore, I’m delighted that you spoke up because this topic has been at the back of my mind for months and has just now found its outlet thanks to you. I myself admit to having fallen victim to what I like it call ‘the Rainbow wall’. The Wall is a conscious, and sometimes subconscious, fear that prevents people from asking questions about or entering into the Rainbow Room. It is the invisible uncertainty that keeps students at an arms length.
So, let me say now that the Rainbow Room and the Gay Straight Alliance is for EVERYONE. We don’t have some quasi high tech gaydar system that sniffs out and rejects the straight people. The club and the Room are communities for every person on this campus. To hit this point home, in a recent meeting with Housing Representative Nina Johnson we discussed the addition of a GSA table to the Visit Day receptions starting this Friday for new students, as well a short informational meeting with the Dragon Ambassadors in December.
Until then though –Unnamed source, readers, I extend a personal invitation from me to you. Please stop by whenever you see the door open, Rainbow flag in view. Want to do more than lounge on the couches, surf the web, or read from the Rooms persona LGBT library? Drop in on a club meeting and come see us on Tuesdays at 6pm. Club matters are discussed for the first hour or so but many of us stay around and shoot the breeze till 9pm. That’s a 3 hour window of opportunity!
I’ll say it again; straight people are welcome. If you assume that everyone allowed in the Rainbow Room has to be gay or lesbian and that’s what’s keeping you from going inside, you’re sorely mistaken and you’re missing out on meeting some really great people. It doesn’t matter what genders hand you chose to hold, everyone has a voice in the Rainbow Room. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you soon. –Stay curious!