Interview with Gay Straight Alliance President

Written by Nadia Krill

We notify readers that we redacted the name and identity of the president at their request on April 15, 2024.

Over the last year, there has been a rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. In 2023, there were 510 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills introduced into state legislators across the United States. Already this year there have been 479 anti-LGBTQIA+ new bills seeking to limit the rights of people who are a part of LGBTQIA+ community. Even though Connecticut is a very progressive state, it is still important to be aware of the attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights. At the University of Saint Joseph, the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is creating a welcoming community for every identity. I interviewed the president of GSA and asked her to share more about the future of the club and the status of inclusion on campus.

Nadia: Hi, President, can you tell me about yourself?

President: I’m from Glastonbury CT, and I am a sophomore nursing student. I’m involved in GSA and then also in the student nurses association. I commute to campus, and I love spending time meeting people. I did dance for a lot of years, but I am retired. I love music, film, writing, traveling, camping, backpacking, and cooking.

Nadia: Why did you want to become President of GSA?

President: The previous president, Celine Stevenson, was my friend and she couldn’t [continue]. With her major, it was really demanding, and she felt she couldn’t adequately run the club. She couldn’t put her best effort into it. So she felt that she wanted to put it in someone else’s hands who would have more free time, and I was originally her vice president, so it was like passing the baton down to me.

Nadia: What plans do you have for GSA in the future? What goals are you trying to accomplish?

President: We are trying to host a lot of events on campus, like defiant movie nights, karaoke; we want to do an end of the year picnic at Elizabeth park. We want to do a yoga class. Just really anything that is interactive with people on campus. You know, to say here we are; We are the gay straight alliance, We are here for resources for everybody who wants to show that they are an ally or a member of the community. We have the philosophy that we are a safe space, so everyone is welcome, and everyone is free to be themselves. Sometimes people are not open about their sexuality or don’t feel comfortable showing their identity, but it is just getting people together who are allies as well as [those who] identify as LGBTQIA+ together to share passions for equal rights and representation and equitability.

Nadia: What have you done so far this semester that you’re proud of?

President: It has been really cool finding a lot of new members, some underclassmen that have met us for the first time and some upperclassmen that weren’t a part of it last year. Something I am very proud of is that we have been able to reach out and connect with people. We weren’t around in the fall just because of the switch of leadership. It was difficult. We lost our old student advisor, Jay. It was really difficult that he moved universities. Mark Bosse stepped up, and is our new representative.

Nadia: Does he work in admissions?

President: Yes, when he came to us. I was so proud. It was humbling really to be asked to take over the club, and Celine unfortunately had to step down. I have a couple of my really close friends on the board with me, and we all get together. We all work so well together. We have seen so many people join us. We have about 40 members, and it is really great to be able to communicate with everybody and to hear their stories. It is nice to be able to say that there is a place for everyone on campus and being able to be a place for the LGBTQ+ community to call home.

Nadia: I know you just had your first meeting of the semester. Did a lot of students show up?

President: Yeah, we probably had about 25 people show up, so it was pretty cool. The thing is too that we are a smaller school. So to have a lot of people, for our ratio, to come was really great. It was super fun too finding out what people hope they can see in the club and having people share their interests and their visions and their why, or why they want to join the club.

Nadia: Do you feel there is enough LGBTQ+ representation on campus?

President: I think the goal is definitely that all members of the community can feel accepted and free to be themselves. I think little by little we are reaching that goal, and I think by having a GSA, it is just really great that it adds to the diversity and having the whole person represented on campus. I think having the club is a great step and hosting events is important too. For example, the third week in March is sexual health awareness week for the LGBTQIA+ community. For that event alone hosted by Hannah Fitzgerald and campus student affairs, it will be really great to call to mind the importance of sexual health acceptance resources for the community. I think that will be really great alone and working here year after year to let everyone know that they’re accepted on campus.

Nadia: Is there anything on campus that you find problematic or want to see changed?

President: Overall, I think we have a pretty friendly, nice, caring community. I think that a lot of people branch out and have friend groups that are similar, like athletes always hangout with each other, and different people in majors, and in different clubs. Definitely some commuters just go to class and then go home, but overall, what I love about USJ is that the small community can be very advantageous because it is such an intimate relationship with the professors. So they know what’s going on in your life, and it really feels like a family. As a  commuter, I don’t have the full spectrum of what a resident has. But overall I think that members of the club that I know feel accepted on campus. If there’s any problems that people see or challenges, there is definitely a resource to help that.

The interview sheds light on University of Saint Joseph’s attitude towards acceptance and inclusivity. Overall, USJ is very welcoming to all communities and seeks to make students feel safe and accepted on campus. GSA is just one way the campus offers support to LGBTQI+ students. In the last month, there was an event that taught people who are transitioning how to legally change their name to their chosen one, as well as a wellness fair for LGBTQI+ sexual health awareness week which supplied students with necessary resources. Hopefully going forward the campus will continue to foster an accepting environment.

You can follow @usj_gsa on instagram to get club updates.

Featured Image: Nadia Krill