Student Life Presents: Queer & Ally

Just an hour before interviewing the Queer and Ally Club, one of its members was assaulted right here at Parkland College. Miranda Fessler, an active member of this club was walking in the D-wing when a guy who was walking down the hallway with his girlfriend elbowed her against the wall and called her something awful. Although Parkland seems to be a safe place for students, there are still a few people who like to ruin that safe mentality. These people are not accepting of homosexuals and bisexuals, forcing their ideals on them. This often leads to violence and brutal hate crimes. Our nation's history is riddled with tales of hate crimes against those who are different than the mainstream of society.

That's where Queer and Ally steps in; it's a safe haven for people of different sexual orientations and the people who support them.

"It gives them a place to congregate about visibility issues with sexual orientation and straight people who are cool," said advisor Tom Schnarre.

This club has a safe environment, with no hostility. Queer and Ally is also a learning environment that brings awareness to people about those with a different sexual orientation. The club an outlet where people can be themselves without the hostility and violence that some people impose on others.

"We want to let people know that they are not alone," said advisor Dr. Rich Morris.

There are common misconceptions about homosexuals and bisexuals around campus that the members of this club have to face everyday.

"Shorter hair and tattoos gives them the assumption that that girl is gay. Physical implications seem to dominate what people think about one another," said Shaheen Shorish, a member of the club.

Men who act feminine and women who act masculine doesn't necessarily mean that they are of a different sexual orientation. This is a common misconception. At the Queer and Ally club, there are masculine homosexual men and feminine homosexual women and vice versa. The way people act usually has little to do with their sexual orientation.

"I used to be in the military and straight women were perceived as gay. Just because men do it doesn't mean women can't do it, too," said Shaheen.

The stereotypes people of different sexual orientation have to face each day are ridiculously abundant.

"People think that I hate men. I love men but I just don't have relationships with them.
They tell me, 'Oh you are so lucky you don't have to worry about college,' assuming that I don't and will never have any kids," said advisor Paula Boyd.

Queer and Ally is not only for gays, transgenders, lesbians, etc., it is also for straight people who are supportive of people of different sexual orientations. This club is welcoming and they have a light sense of humor on everything.

"Anyone can join.who is not hostile," said Rich Morris.

This club not only offers a safe environment, they also have many events coming up. October 10 is official Coming Out Day, where the Queer and Ally club will be setting up a table in the college center with information about homosexuality and bisexuality. A fun event the Queer and Ally club does every year is a drag show in the Parkland College theater, which is coming back on April 24.

"Tom Schnarre will be emceeing in heels, so that should be fun," laughed Morris.

If you are interested in joining Queer and Ally, just come! Their meeting times are October 9, 23; November 6, 20; and December 4 from 3-4pm in the library, in room R-226.