LGBTQA organizations come together in Thanksgiving potluck dinner

Alexandra Mosquera Netzkarsch/Staff Writer

Edwin Serrano, graduate assistant for LGBTQA Initiatives said the community’s Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner event will allow students who are not accepted by their families to participate in a holiday dinner where they don’t have to worry about going back in the closet.

Together with the Stonewall Pride Alliance, LGBTQA Training and Development Committee and GSA, the LGBTQA community will host its Thanksgiving potluck on Nov. 20 at Biscayne Bay Campus’ Wolfe University Center and Nov. 26 at Modesto Maidique Campus’ Graham Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“A lot of students don’t have the ability to be themselves within their families,” said Serrano. “This event will give them the chance and the space to be who they are.”

According to Serrano, this dinner has the purpose of getting the community together and remembering that students can be themselves without being judged.

“LGBTQA students will have the opportunity of not having to worry about going back in the closet if their family is unaccepting,” said Serrano.

Some students agree with Serrano, who thinks the dinner is a chance for the LGBTQA and University community to come together for the sake of a holiday.

Justin Santoli, sophomore in elementary education and the president of the Stonewall Pride Alliance, will perform a self-written poem about bullying — a theme familiar with LGBTQA students.

“The talent show was the idea of my organization, which we really liked because it allows students another opportunity to show their individuality and express themselves through art,” said Santoli.

“It’s a beautiful thing and an important idea we like to reinforce constantly: celebrating individuality and embracing what makes each of us unique instead of feeling ashamed by it and trying to hide it.”

According to Serrano,  the LGBTQA Initiative at FIU has partnered up with Pridelines Youth Services that cater to 14- to 24-year-old individuals and raise awareness about different issues in the LGBTQA community, such as the risk of having unprotected sex.

This organization also provides HIV testing and organizes many events to bring young individuals together and give them the opportunity to have group talks and play board games, simply sharing their time with each other.

“I think it shows the LGBT students on campus that there is an environment for them to come and not have to feel judged or discriminated against for who they are,” Santoli said. “There is an opportunity for growth for every single staff and student on campus.”

The BBC potluck will be in WUC 155 and MMC’s potluck will be in GC 243. Students are encouraged to bring one canned food item to donate to Miami homeless shelters, and to RSVP and sign up for their dish.

“It´s a good self awareness experience for LGBTQA students to realize that they aren’t alone,” said Natalie Reyes, junior psychology major.

– news@fiusm.com