On September 14th, the Gay-Straight Alliance, a safe place in the school for LGBT youth and people who support the community, hosted its first coffeehouse event of the year. The turnout was amazing, many talented musicians and singers partook in the event. The Maroon asked some LGBT students about the GSA and the LGBT community.

Jacquelin Perez was asked, “Is the GSA important for any school to have?” Jacquelin answered, “yes, I do feel that the GSA is important to have at any school because it shows people that you are welcomed at the school community and that you do have a voice…”

Jesse Hernandez was asked, “do you feel the LGBT community, as a whole, is misinterpreted in today’s society?” Jesse answered, “I do believe that. I feel like there are not enough people who are aware of the sexual orientations and those who support it [the LGBT community] do not want to be a part of the GSA because they feel they will be called “gay” or something.”

After interviewing BOYCP students, The Maroon interviewed the faculty moderator of the GSA, Mr. Morrow. He was asked, “Do you think that families should be more open about any youth who comes out to them?” to which Mr. Morrow answered, “Absolutely, I think that coming out is such a significant event in someone’s life. Without family support, it can be really debilitating and crippling, a source of a lot of suffering and anxiety. So yes, I think that an event like coming out should be fully supported by families without question, and I wish that all families would offer that support for their children. It is unfortunate that they don’t. I think that now, more than ever, it is important that we support all walks of life like gender, sexual preference, and other things, especially within the core family members.”

Many BOYCP students, who are 2nd or 3rd generation Mexican-Americans, have very reserved and “by the book” families. Therefore, many people are unknowledgeable about different sexualities and genders that reside in the LGBT community, making it hard to come out to their families. To change the close-mindedness surrounding the LGBT community, the Gay-Straight Alliance is crucial to have.

-Victoria Mercado