The Queer Student Union hosts its first meeting of the spring semester
BY: WILL MURRY
Art & Life Editor
For students who identify somewhere on the LGBT+ spectrum, the Queer Student Union has a place to talk about gender and sexuality
related issues.
The QSU hopes to attract other LGBT students to cultivate relationships and understanding and provide a safe space for students when they need it and form a greater sense of community for everyone.
“We try to provide a safe space for people to feel that they have some sort of friends and family that they might not have outside of this club,” said club president Colin Chervitz. “I love being involved on campus.”
According to Chervitz, being gay has influenced his life in huge ways and is part of the reason why he is involved with the club.
“Being gay has been such a huge part of my life. Awful things can happen to you when you’re gay and to overcome that and share your experiences with people who get it is kind of a phenomenon,” said Chervitz. “When you’re in this club room, the people here
get it.”
The club has many events lined up for this upcoming semester including the Meramec Campus Expo and their “Sharing Diversity” panel set for Apr. 27. They also plan to hold a drag benefit show and a Trans student panel with dates yet to be announced.
Secretary Andrea Denton said that one of her favorite things about QSU is that she has a chance to be active on campus and meet fellow
queer students.
“I remember being closeted in high school and how difficult that was for me. I was lucky enough to get out of that situation and be myself here, but not everyone has that advantage. So we try to supply that support,” said Denton.
The QSU plans to eventually organize a queer student council consisting of student members from the other STLCC campuses with the intent of not only furthering their club’s influence after the members graduate, but also to have the QSU become a household name amongst STLCC students.
QSU Vice President Seanta Barrymore said she took her position because she wants to reach out to youth and older students.
“I was once told that if you’re not a part of the solution you’re part of the problem. So I took it upon myself to be a part of the solution, and I feel that this is the best way to do it,” said Barrymore. “A lot of the time people don’t know where to go, they don’t know who to talk to, and we are who you talk to.”
The QSU meets Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. in SC204. For more information, contact Colin Chervitz
at cchervitz2@my.stlcc.edu.
