Center provides information

By Erica Miller, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, October 14, 1998

Volunteers from the Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Resource Center took time out of their school schedules Tuesday to answer questions from students interested in learning more about issues affecting them and their peers.

The information booth, which was in front of the University Bookstore, was part of the LGBRC's Seventh Annual Coming Out Week. Students from the LGBRC have organized movie nights, a poetry reading and set up the booth in recognition of National Coming Out Day, which recognizes the obstacles gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders have had to overcome.

"I think that all of us at an upper educational institution should be open to different people. Being gay, homosexual or lesbian is not a lifestyle," said Rafael Calderon, a sociology major. "I don't have a straight lifestyle, I'm just straight."

Students were provided with fliers and books regarding issues of heterosexuality, homophobia and coming out to friends and family. Despite the open invitation to discuss matters with students, not all passersby took the invitation.

"People walk by and snicker," said James Thing, a sociology major. "Our differences are not the problem. Hatred is the problem.

Karla Saldana, coordinator of the LGBRC, said the reason the center has information booths is because of the rampant homophobia lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered students are confronted with.

Coming Out Week is being recognized as students discuss the hate-crime death of Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming political science major who died from injuries sustained after being beaten.

Saldana said lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered people have a little more freedom in California but that the incident has people thinking and talking about issues affecting these groups.

"It's an awakening and it's sad that someone has to die before people wake up, but it's really up to the people to wake up," Saldana said. "We are always here for them."

Student volunteers will be at the Bookstore today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call the LGBRC at (562) 985-4585.