By Luiz Coelho
College is a trying time for many students, especially for a specific minority group known collectively as LGBT, or lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
For many LGBT students, college years are usually a time of “coming out” to friends and family members about their sexuality, and a welcoming environment is essential during such time. Tolerance is a key factor, which doesn’t seem to be a problem at SCAD-Atlanta. However, the campus lacks a visible advocacy organization or support group on campus that could help LGBT students with any questions or concerns they might have.
Counseling and Student Support Services (CS3) is trying to implement an LGBT support group, with meetings on Fridays, but according to SCAD Counselor and Disability Specialist Kevin Buckins, there are no students signed up for the group yet. CS3, also provides short-term individual counseling for any student who is in trouble, and referrals to low-cost and easily accessible options in Atlanta. All appointments with CS3 are confidential and follow legal and ethical guidelines, and are offered free of charge.
SCAD offers possibilities for groups to be created, providing free online space and usage of its facilities. A successful example of an LGBT rights group within our college community is SCAD Queers and Allies (Q&A), based at SCAD-Savannah. The group was founded in 2006, taking over the responsibilities of the now-defunct LAMBDA.
“[M]any students who attend our first few meetings every year are freshman who have, effectively, never been ‘out’ to anyone before in their lives,” said Colleen Mattis, a fourth year art history student and current Q&A president.
Meetings “have roughly 40-45 attendees each week (the second highest of any SCAD-Savannah student organization) and provide a safe space for students to discuss their lives and struggles as LGBTs,” according to Mattis.
Q&A is also very active in the community. The group also organizes “the biggest costume dance party on campus,” called Gender Bender. More than 300 students attended the last party a few weeks ago.
“I like to focus our community service outside of the LGBT community so that our students can make a positive impact on the community at large” said Mattis, who also pushes for cooperation with other advocacy groups, such as Stand Out Youth Savannah, Armstrong Atlantic and Georgia Southern Universities.
For those concerned about faith and spiritual implications of living fully as an LGBT person, there is more than the usual conservative stance. “Inclusive” congregations provide a warm environment and alternative theological discussions.
Whether it is through CS3, a separate club, or wider organizations, SCAD-Atlanta students have all the possibilities to organize an LGBT advocacy group, with the necessary support from SCAD’s administrative staff. Maybe it’s time, then, to have a more active presence at SCAD-Atlanta.
For more information, contact these organizations:
SCAD-Atlanta CS3: (404) 253-3304 or e-mail atlcounseling@scad.edu.
SCAD Queers and Allies: blog.scad.edu/qaa/