by Francesca Blasi, staff writer
The LGBTQ+ club is open to all at Pikes Peak State College’s Centennial Campus, and its members are making strides to increase inclusivity and support for students and staff alike. Any students or faculty members looking for a safe space to express their identities and help build a community of LGBTQIA members and allies are welcome to join.
It is important to note that staff members are encouraged to participate and show up to meetings just as much as students, as it helps to have their support. One major goal of the LGBTQ+ club for 2023 is to be included in the Colorado Springs PRIDE parade on June 10th, 2023. The Spring 2023 semester will be spent working towards this goal in hopes that club members will be able to join the parade after the semester ends in May. The more people who join this endeavor, the merrier, as this would be the first time this club would be included in the PRIDE festivities and having a lot of people involved would be a great way to boost visibility.
Wree Rozina, career advisor and LGBTQ+ club advisor at Centennial Campus, says, “I think it’s important, especially in this day and age, because all students need to feel supported, … but especially with the state of our political and cultural environment, I personally believe that LGBTQ+ students might need a little extra support right now.”
She also notes that this campus doesn’t have a resource center for the LGBTQ+ community, so the aim of the club is to provide resources to the best of their ability.
There are survey boxes in the Student Advising and Student Life offices asking for feedback about how these resources can be improved here at Pikes Peak – look for the boxes with frogs on them. Rozina’s message to anyone who is considering joining is: “We want everyone to feel welcome, safe and loved, and that’s what we intend to dowith this club.”
Discussions are currently in progress regarding when and where the club will meet, so keep an eye out for more information on the Stall Street Journal, or reach out to Rozina via email, phone, or in her office at Student Advising –room A316. A sign reaching out to all students, hangs in the StudentAdvising office.