GLBT diversifies the campus

By Janice Theissen

thie0017@algonquincollege.com

With all kinds of social pressures and anxieties to worry about, Bret Campbell felt that he needed a place to relax and be himself. As the founder of the Gay Lesbian Bi Trans-Gendered Club on campus he did just that.

“The former group organizer wasn’t too into the college or the group. I wanted to see something happen and got funding through outside sources to help support our cause,” said Campbell.

Campbell thought the college atmosphere, despite being a diverse place, was very stigmatic, as he faced much social pressure within the classroom setting.

“It may be the same outside but inside the classroom it differs. It’s very one-sided. It was difficult before without the club we have now,” he said. “The club helps a lot of people have a good time and helps them feel comfortable about being GLBT. And also it gets people more involved and provides an outlet for activism, fun and hanging out with like-minded people.”

As for the other campuses Campbell said that Carleton does quite well but the University of Ottawa is reluctant to share information and support events.

“People from Carleton will come out and support us, but the University of Ottawa folks mainly stay to themselves,” said Campbell.

The club helps a lot of people discover more about themselves and their identity.

“People come to college because they’re lost and a lot of people find their comfort zone with our group,” he said. “I personally enjoy it so much here, and that’s what I want other people to realize, it’s a good place to find themselves or escape family and other pressures.”

Another student who feels welcome at the club is Kiel Harris.

“We have an Algonquin GLBT Facebook group with 84 members but many don’t show up cause they have school,” said Harris.

Algonquin’s GLBT group wants to have a lot of events this year and really get the club off the ground.

“We had an event called Queer Night around the end of last year and more than 80 people came out to support us,” he said.  

Social pressures, Harris feels that it’s different for GLBT’s in sense of the number of stigmas they face.

“We’re supposed to feminine, flamboyant or muscled. We have a great diversity in our group, the talents they have, how they present themselves to the world, the club helps them express themselves,” said Harris.

He adds that Carleton really comes out and supports them, giving them supplies and pamphlets with helpful information and invites them to their events as well.

“A lot of people who come to the group make friends with everyone and hang out. It’s very inclusive and we even hang out outside of school. It’s fun.”

Another member who agrees with Harris is Meg Erickson.

 “They were really supportive and nice and they made me feel welcome so I wanted to come back.”

Erickson, who is in business accounting, even helps out with the group’s fundraising projects and has even baked cookies for their bake sale.

She started to notice she was a little different that her friends when they used to hang out and give hugs, and she felt something beyond what they did and she never felt anything for men.

“I like felt like no other guys liked me, but there are a lot of women who might date me because they check me out.”

She said the club helps her fell important, worthy and gives her a sense of belonging.

Her friends supported her when she came out and felt glad that she could be so honest with them.  Her parents were also supportive.

She didn’t have much trouble in her home town Kanata. “I’m pretty oblivious. I like to live my own life and don’t think about what other people are doing.”

Erickson added for those who discriminate against GLBT people that they should think about life in their shoes.

“If you call people names to make yourself feel better, pick on someone your own intelligence level.”