Hundreds of resources can be found on Kennesaw State University’s campus, and, for LGBT students, they can be life changing.
Every fall, thousands of freshman enter Kennesaw State University and begin a higher education journey that will undoubtedly reshape the way the see themselves and the world around them. For some students, a newfound freedom of expression will be discovered and explored like never before in their lives.
For many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, the privilege of going to college is about much more than pursuing an education. It is about pursuing who we are as queer people.
LGBT students can do this through a multitude of resources they may have never had access to in high school.
One great resource to take advantage of is Kennesaw Pride Alliance, a student organization for queer students. It is a social club where LGBT individuals can interact, share experiences and make lifelong friendships. KPA hosts several events every year, including the “Coming Out Day Cookout.” Students gather on The Green to enjoy hamburgers, bounce houses and laser tag.
Another important event is “The Coming Out Monologues,” in which students submit their coming-out stories that are acted out in a production by the theater department.
KPA also organizes the annual drag show, where students dress and perform in drag, and the proceeds are donated to charity.
KPA’s first meeting of the semester is at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 in the atrium of the Science Laboratory Building.
Another great club to look into is Anti-Assimilationist Non-Normative Students of KSU. A/N focuses on social discourse to promote awareness and inclusion of different gender identities, sexualities, religious beliefs and ethnic groups.
KSU also has a GLBTIQ resource center located in the student center. This is a great place to meet other students and to discuss any concerns or ideas you may have about how to make the campus more LGBT-friendly. The center also has a great selection of queer books you can use for essays, projects and presentations.
Finally, the Stonewall Housing Community is an on-campus gender-inclusive community of queer students. This is extremely important because the existence of Stonewall Housing creates a safe environment in our own homes.
For transgender and gender non-binary students, Stonewall Housing is even more necessary. The creation of Stonewall means that these students will be recognized as who they are, and not mis-gendered constantly and placed in a dorm with people who may not understand them. Situations like that have the potential to become violent.
Stonewall Housing is comprised of eight rooms and hopes to expand to an entire building within the next few years. Typically, there is one Stonewall meeting at the beginning of every year, and after that it is up to the students in Stonewall to make and maintain friendships.
If you are a queer freshman or student at KSU, don’t worry! I can tell you from experience that you will meet some of the best friends of your life and grow exponentially as a person and as a member of the LGBT community.
I promise, if you take advantage of these resources, you will have a very gay time.
