PRISM (People Respecting Individuals and Sexual Minorities) is
a club for people who identify under LGBTQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, questioning, allies, etc.) and is free. They are located in the Havasupai
A and B, upstairs in the Union and meet every Wednesday night from 7:30pm to
9pm. The club started in 1991. Their goal is to create a safe space, a sense of
community, cultivate alliance and leadership and provide educational opportunities
to LGBTQA+ individuals. They hold several events throughout the year including
drag shows and dance parties. PRISM is supported by LGBTQA Resources and
Support in the leads center. Most of the information about them and their events
is found on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/prism.nau/timeline).
You can also email them at prism.nau@gmail.com.
Also on a somewhat related note the Day of Silence is April 17th
this year and many of the LGBTQA+ clubs will be holding events around it but
you do not have to go to events to participate in the Day of Silence (http://www.dayofsilence.org/resources/).
It's important that individuals from all walks of life can feel safe and supported on any campus. Lately things have gotten much better for the LGBTQA communities throughout the state thanks to programs such as these, but when you speak to them, it's surprising how often they suffer discrimination even today. While my own personal ideologies might clash with them on some issues, it's still important to remain open-minded enough to provide them with a social and emotional support net.
ReplyDeleteI would say this is probably one of the most important resources on campus because it provides an opportunity for everyone from diverse backgrounds to enjoy time together in a safe space where everyone is equal. I think PRISM offers a way for students to also become educated about a new community or about themselves.
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