During the interview, the student requested to stay anonymous in this story.
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance has become a safe haven for its members to connect, grow, and support. GSA is also an advocate for love no matter the sexual orientation or gender identity of the individual.
One GSA member expressed that through this club they have been able to find acceptance for who they are.
“There’s a lot of people here who have really made me feel loved and accepted,” they said. “I finally have a place to actually be where there are people who are like me and people who understand me.”
Being able to understand and accept are two critical elements that GSA hopes its members and the JCCC community are able to grasp.
Another GSA member reiterated this hope.
“If you have questions, ask. If you don’t understand, do the research,” they said. “If someone is doing something and it’s not hurting you, then what’s the problem?”
Valentine’s Day serves as a reminder that it’s okay to love whomever you may love, GSA members communicated.
Before an individual is able to love another person, GSA conveyed that one must be able to love themself first.
“We want everyone to be able to love themselves and sometimes being able to love yourself takes support first,” they said.
Despite the challenges, GSA members continue to move forward and push for their central message; Love.
With love in the air, one GSA member left a statement for the JCCC community.
“Love is love,” they said.
To learn more about GSA, visit jccc.edu/GSA.
Victor Monterroza, staff reporter