It’s LGBTQ Awareness Week on campus and everything’s certainly more colorful :o)

The opening rally is today and there’s 15 or so events concentrating on the week’s theme- “More than a Label”, how everyone has more than one community and identity; how people transcend labels.

It makes me sad, though, because the shirts this year kindof leave out one of those communities- Gay/straight allies. I wanted to get one because hey, I love shirts and I love my gay friends and I want to be supportive of their visibility efforts, but I felt a little excluded, like I shouldn’t get one. Which is silly, right? I’m a white straight girl from an upper-middle class family. God forbid I be excluded from anything.

I’ll probably get a shirt anyhow. They’re very cute. And who cares what people think?

I’m proud to go to a school that really listens to its students and tries to serve specific groups as best they can, and I’m proud to go to a school where people feel safe and encouraged to raise their voices, a place where diverse perspectives are welcomed. It makes the university feel less like a degree factory and more like a learning community, and we should support each other’s ideas. And I hope to see you come support the Texas QSA at one of the events, which include:

Homophobia in the Greek Community
Sponsored by: KDChi
Monday, 7pm, Union Pearce Hall

Queer Perspectives on Marriage
Sponsored by: QSA and the Gender and Sexuality Center
Tuesday, 8pm-9pm, Multicultural Information Center (SSB)

Morality Politics Panel
Sponsored by: Harvey Milk Society
Thursday, 1pm-2pm, Thompson Conference Center

and many more! For more information visit http://queertx.org