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Show "1, SSBlttBSSSI irrmnUfiTVir .MOfitilSfiSKGi iip (3D(E N Wj FC Zltnmnu con depa Burr ism- iZi.il -- othei art d relati WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, DIXIESUNNEWS.COM 8- 201 beca are s ferer can 1 Tn Pure awai 1986 BY AARON PALMER aepalmer For years at Dixie State University, there was no place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students to meet with people until the Alliance was established on campus. Beginning as the Pride Club in 2006, the GSA celebrates diversity in individuals, especially concerning gender identity and sexuality. Not only are LGBT students allowed to join, but also heterosexual and cisgender (people who accept their biological sex) students are more than welcome to join in, plan and like-mind- Gay-Straig- ed ht participate. As written on the GSA Orgsync page, the club seeks to provide: Support to those who need it and facilitate networking. An outlet for further understanding of LGBT issues. A safe atmosphere to disclose in. Information on the outside LGBT community. GSA meetings are a fine balance of formality and frankness. During event planning forums, the members speak their minds, accept new or alternate ideas for events and show their excitement to help DSU be a better, safer place for LGBT students. GSA leadership strives to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Students benefit from the-GSA because they can meet other people and form a support acsystem of students who are cepting and open to other peoples situations and lifestyles, said Kristian Johnson, a senior Ns, biology major from Hawthorne, Nevada, and GSA president. GSAs events have informative themes on gender identity and sexual orientation to create public awareness of LGBT issues. Most universities have had GSA-lik- e student groups for decades, said Matthew Smith "Lahrman, sociology piogram head and GSA adviser, in an email. Our GSA has only existed for maybe eight years. n also said the Smith-Lahrma- what makes difficulties that LGBT students face No matter what regarding their identity are challeng- ing. LGBT students are often afraid to come out, yet they also vant hang out with other LGBT students To recognize the melange of DSU students, one of the events GSA organizes is the Diversity Wall, three white canvases, where students can write and display them unique during Diversity sex- ual orientation we fall under, we are all hu man first. Week. i It really there that shows is diversity here, Johnson said. Even when people ; think there isnt. Its good for it to be visible and see it. ,Doug Gubler a 1 Last weeks continuing education student from St. George.1 Wednes D event, a speed mingling social, said. GSA gives was them a space "toTnteract with friends without worrying about their LGBT identity getting in the way. They know they are accepted for their whole self. co-host- ed by GSA. The event was super fun and a great way to meet people, said Sascha Wirth, a freshman general education major from Salt Lake City, who attended the social., I wasnt expecting to meet my defi. true love, but new friends byrr artp nitely. and Wirth also expressed interest joining the GSA. Its nice to know theres sup. port out there in the community for LGBT students, Wirth said Along with activities, GSAhon ors the National Coming Out Daj on Oct. 1 1 , and The Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 2( On National Coming Out Day, GSA places a closet on campus and addresses what is like to come out of it metaphorically Students use the closet to literally come out and declare themselvt. LGBT or as an ally of LGBT rights and ideals. To memorialize those killed m due to hatred er l she She scull cam inth Resc Dole Tn in St fam Van St. C the r has c Tom or prejudice, GSA hosts a candlelight vigil on The Transgender Day of Remembrance. GSA is for all students, no matter their sexual orientation, see GSA page 9 Trueblood Humous What was one of your proudest moments? BY LAUREN 01 R? s COLLIER laurencollierO i- - m t s 4 After my last piano recit- al, my dad came up to me and said, I just want to let you know youre really good at playing piano and you should never let it go because when you play it you just ... you feel it. You can tell. Its just awesome. Times like that are my proudest moments. - Hannah Bergeson, run a fresh- man general education major from Boise, Idaho. H speaks on n co BY HAYLIE ANDERSON hayande Dixie Forum speakers are distributors of knowledge ait creativity, and last week, an g, of sculptor shared her story bronze her the process behind works of art. St. George artist LDeane Trueblood spoke at Dixie State University on Feb. 24 about how a bronze sculpt is made and how much woii on actually goes into making Trueblood was chosen after I IN faculty suggested her in a potential presenters. John Bums, Dixie Forum committee chair, is in charge of putting the forums together Bums finds people to present media by looking at different outlets such as Ted Talks, uffl news versity web pages and h feedbad IV r-- papers. He also gets from faculty on who they would be good. Bums said doesnt get much input on for forums, but he is willing to hear from students becai's in the end the forums are fc( students. the Bums has been putting forums together since fall tit semester 20 1 3 He knows othe there were at least three coordinators before him,bul isnt sure how long the have been running for. V The forums are for the dents and so it is import11'' find topics that would ui them, Bums said. The only subject that isn1 covered by the forums is business because the buslllf . What was your reaction when you saw snow for the first time? K It took time for me to take it in. I looked outside and I just thought, What? Building a snowman was always my dream. Ive built three already: one on campus and two by my house. - Naalii Dureg, a freshman music major fiom Waipio, Hawaii. What is the worst date you have 'ever been on? Homecoming date with the super Mormon who asked me to put on a jacket during pictures so I would be more modest and asked me if I was going on a mission, and when I told him no he chastised me for it. Becca Gonzales, a freshman general education major from Boise, Idaho. see HUMANS page 9 see FORUM see saft sculpting at forum award-winnin- Dix Pa |
