Post Classifieds
Campus offers LGBT support
By Lakisha Forde
On May 4, 2012
Pride Alliance, an organization that helps the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
community, is trying to make Buffalo State students more aware of the support
systems offered on campus.
Ryan Gilliam, a sophomore majoring in journalism from Buffalo is currently vice
president of Pride Alliance. He said when he first came to Buffalo State, he noticed
the organization was hard to find. But, once he found the organization, he joined and
got actively involved.
Melissa Ruiz, president of Pride Alliance, said she also had a hard time finding an
organization welcoming the LGBT community.
"I never see advertisement for services that may help those who are in the LBGT
community," said Ruiz, a junior majoring in television and film arts from the Bronx.
"I did not even find out about Pride Alliance until my sophomore year. It was pretty
hidden to me."
Pride Alliance hosted its Ice Cream Social in the group's office on April 18. It was
an event held not only for everyone to dig into different flavors of ice cream, but it
was also an opportunity for people to share their "coming out" stories. These stories
were tales of how people discovered, accepted, and told their family and friends
their sexual orientation.
Before the Ice Cream Social started, people had the option of doing a survey, which
included questions asking if Buffalo State was a LGBT-friendly campus, whether
enough services are offered, and if students felt comfortable expressing their sexual
orientation on campus.
In addition to events such as the Ice Cream Social, Pride Alliance continues to hold
annual events like the Day of Silence Walk. The Day of Silence is part of a nationwide
pledge for students to remain silent during the day to draw attention to LGBT
bullying/harassment in schools. Every April, Pride Alliance leads students on a walk
from the Campbell Student Union to Delaware Park in honor of the day.
Students have differing opinions on whether Buffalo State is a tolerant campus for
the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
"I honestly think Buffalo State does a good job of being open to the LGBT
community," Robinson said.
Robinson, a junior studying theater, and former president of Pride Alliance from
Utica, first came out to her friends and family at the age of fourteen.
"I first came out to my friends my freshman year of high school," she said. "At first
I thought I was trying to fit in because my friends were all gay, but they were very
accepting."
At home, on the other hand, Robinson said things were different.
"My family actually found out through the social network Myspace. I was beaten and
kicked, so things at home were pretty rough. As time went by, it became out of sight,
out of mind," she said.
Robinson said although the campus has far exceeded her expectations, there is room
for improvement.
"I would appreciate it if there were more advocates, speakers, and events
welcoming and focusing on the LGBT community," she said.
Alexander Anhwere-James, a senior studying urban planning from Brooklyn, agrees.
"I heard a male student was being bashed for wearing heels last semester," he said.
"If more organizations get together, it could touch on those subjects such as bashing.
It can be all-inclusive."
On the other hand, students like Gilliam and Ruiz believe Buffalo State's campus is
becoming more accepting and tolerant with time by hosting bullying seminars and
ally programming.
Students such as Racquel Hazlewood, a junior majoring in engineering, believe Pride
Alliance is doing a good job of hosting events for the LGBT community.
"I always see Pride Alliance doing different events through the year, so I think they
are doing a good job of making people feel welcome," she said.
For comments on this story, contact bscrecord@gmail.com.
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