The More, the Merrier at Salve GSLBA
Mary Grace Donaldson
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: News
Newport, R.I.- Salve's Gay-Straight-Lesbian-Bisexual Alliance attracts students from all majors who are united for a common cause. The club has participated in rallies for LGBT issues ranging from a local anti-Prop 8 rally, to sending a representative to the National Equality March in Washington, DC. But it's not just the cause that makes the club cohesive.
"If you don't have friends, join my club," said Evan Gallo, a junior at Salve and president of GSLBA. Gallo went on to talk about the familial nature of GSLBA. The 40 students who attend weekly meetings not only discuss current LGBT related events but also to support and learn from each other. Even with increasing acceptance of the LGBT community, homophobia is still alive and well. Club members who have faced homophobic acts are encouraged to turn to this special group of peers for support. However, Gallo even encourages homophobes to join the club, as they will learn something from other club members. Gallo says that GSLBA collectively accepts everyone, and all of their opinions. They are there to make life better for everyone, as "everyone is a minority."
Both Gallo and club secretary Alli Jean, who is also a junior, have been enthusiastic about the gay rights movement even before arriving at Salve as freshmen.
"It's the Civil Rights issue of our generation, Jean said. "Everyone should care about it." Jean has been involved with GSLBA since her freshman year, as it seemed like a forum for her to express her passion for the cause. Gallo had been a part of his very enthusiastic GSA in high school. The group participated in the Day of Silence every year, which Gallo also brought to Salve in hopes of creating a campus-wide event. Day of Silence pays tribute to those silenced by the evils of homophobia by encouraging students to remain silent until a ceremonial breaking of the silence takes place. As freshmen, just Gallo and Jean participated in the Day of Silence. When Gallo took over as president of GSLBA, it became a very impressive campus-wide initiative.
"If you don't have friends, join my club," said Evan Gallo, a junior at Salve and president of GSLBA. Gallo went on to talk about the familial nature of GSLBA. The 40 students who attend weekly meetings not only discuss current LGBT related events but also to support and learn from each other. Even with increasing acceptance of the LGBT community, homophobia is still alive and well. Club members who have faced homophobic acts are encouraged to turn to this special group of peers for support. However, Gallo even encourages homophobes to join the club, as they will learn something from other club members. Gallo says that GSLBA collectively accepts everyone, and all of their opinions. They are there to make life better for everyone, as "everyone is a minority."
Both Gallo and club secretary Alli Jean, who is also a junior, have been enthusiastic about the gay rights movement even before arriving at Salve as freshmen.
"It's the Civil Rights issue of our generation, Jean said. "Everyone should care about it." Jean has been involved with GSLBA since her freshman year, as it seemed like a forum for her to express her passion for the cause. Gallo had been a part of his very enthusiastic GSA in high school. The group participated in the Day of Silence every year, which Gallo also brought to Salve in hopes of creating a campus-wide event. Day of Silence pays tribute to those silenced by the evils of homophobia by encouraging students to remain silent until a ceremonial breaking of the silence takes place. As freshmen, just Gallo and Jean participated in the Day of Silence. When Gallo took over as president of GSLBA, it became a very impressive campus-wide initiative.
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