Coming out: LGBTQA Initiatives hosts lecture to support students

Ariel Weinstein/Staff Writer

All throughout the world, there are boys and girls who are struggling to be their true selves. They fear that if their friends and family find out they are gay, they will not accept them.

This is why the 3D Series event; “A New Year, A New Me… Will they Accept Me?” was created.

Edwin Serrano, a graduate assistant for FIU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Questioning and Allies Initiatives, is the leader and host of this new event.

By attending the event, Serrano hopes that his audience recognizes the LGBTQA Initiatives as a place where LGBTQA people can find support and comfort.

“A lot of what we do is geared towards to students who are simply seeking for somewhere to go, and feel safe, and our events is a place all are welcome at,” Serrano explains.

The organization has three staff members, one full time associate director, two graduate assistants and many other volunteers. This organization has been around for a few years and helps LGBTQA students throughout the University.

They host various events throughout the year, such as 3D ‘Dine, Discuss and Deliberate’ Series which are lunchtime lectures with the organization.

SAVE Dade, Miami-Dade County’s leading organization dedicated to protecting people who are LGBT against discrimination, has been asked to attend and speak at the event.

Although their topics will be heavily based on transgenders, there will also be talks and speeches geared toward other aspects of the LGBTQA community as well.

Serrano said it is sometimes hard for students to return home over the holidays, because they may feel pressured that it is once again time to hide who they really are.

“When we were planning for this semester’s 3D events, we wanted to cover topics and issues that could reach out to any college student’s experience.

This “New Year, New Me” phrase is so common, that many students can relate, whether it applies to beginning the process towards transidentity, telling your family you support same-sex couples, or beginning to accept your sexuality” Serrano states.

Approximately 20 students, faculty, and staff are expected to show up. For students coming from MMC, transportation by the Golden Panther Express runs daily to BBC.

The event will be taking place at BBC in the WUC-155 from 12-2pm on Thursday Jan. 23.

Serrano also claims this event “will speak to those interested in learning about coming to terms with a new identity, or lifestyle.”

 

-bbc@fiusm.com