Here at Regis, there is a wide variety of clubs and organizations that strive to create a positive, safe atmosphere on campus. One such group is the Regis University Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), which meets once a week on Thursdays from 4:30pm to 5:30pm in the West Hall Conference Room.
According to GSA co-president Rose Bonfoey, "GSA is meant to be a safe space on campus for any LGBT person or ally. We do a lot of team building so students don't feel so lonely, because it can be hard to be an LGBT student on a Catholic campus sometimes."
Weekly meetings can consist of discussing current issues on campus, sharing a meal, talking politics, watching movies, or group activities such as attending the Rocky Horror Picture Show together. Meetings are open to newcomers, and while many group members attend every week, a firm weekly commitment is not required.
While the weekly meetings for LGBT students and allies are a primary function of GSA, the group also holds educational campus-wide events as well. This week, they participated in Anti-Oppression Week events "Are You Woke: Come Learn About Regis Affinity Groups And Why They Exist" on February 7. Today, they will be hosting "Dear Allies" from 4:30pm to 5:30pm in the West Hall Lounge.
In collaboration with Peace and Justice Studies Department, they will host a showing of the film "The Year We Thought About Love" on March 30. They are also collaborating with a Sippin' on Spirituality event with University Ministry after spring break, and they will be tabling in the student center for transgender issues awareness over the course of the semester. On April 17, they will participate in the "Day of Silence," which is a nationwide campaign in which students take a vow of silence to highlight the difficulties that LGBT youth face when they are bullied or harassed.
If you would like to get involved with GSA, stop by their Thursday meetings at 4:30 in the West Hall Conference Room, or contact Rose Bonfoey at rbonfoey@regis.edu. If you are interested in joining an LGBT counseling group organized by the Office of Counseling and Personal Development, contact Amy Ginsberg at aginsberg@regis.edu.
Maggie Lacy Staff Reporter