The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion at Suffolk University will be hosting events this month centered around LGBTQ+ History Month. The events that have already occurred include a National Coming Out Day reception Oct. 9 and a screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” Oct. 16. Future events include a queer history bagel hour Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Sawyer 828 and a drag show Oct. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Keches Room. Additionally, there are intermittent educational tabling from CSDI in the Sawyer lobby.
Current political conditions have been seen as hostile towards the LGBTQ+ community, making centered events a good way to help people cope with anxieties and other emotions pertaining to these conditions while also getting involved with their school community.
Suffolk University prides itself on being a welcoming atmosphere to diverse communities. A big reason why this is true is CSDI, which offers support and community for diverse groups of people. Last month, they hosted Latinx Heritage Month, and next month, they will be hosting Indigenous Heritage Month. These monthly focuses on diverse communities allow everyone to feel safe and welcomed in the school.
“I’ve enjoyed seeing the different aspects of creativity and student participation, through things like the Costume contest at the ‘Rocky Horror Picture’ showing, as well as the Queer Artist Alley coming up,” said Victor Cruz-Castro, a diversity peer educator with CSDI.
Cruz-Castro, a junior psychology and law major, also mentioned that his favorite event to work this month was the LGBTQ+ tabling for the GLAAD campaign. During this event, diversity peer educators helped Suffolk students take a pledge against bullying in support of LGBTQ+ youth.
“These events encourage students to be themselves, and share their experiences with their sexual preferences and identities,” said Cruz-Castro. “I can’t wait to enjoy the rest of the events this month, and I am so proud of Alex and Nikki, and the other clubs and offices that have contributed to this year’s month.”
Each diversity peer educator works on a specific diversity month as their focus for the year. Alex Lakies and Nicole Henninger are the two diversity peer educators who have spearheaded this month’s events.
Jane Blair, a senior English major and Suffolk Journal contributor, went to CSDI’s National Coming Out Day event and the screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
“I was so happy to see that there were queer centered events thrown by CSDI this month. It is really important to create welcoming and educational spaces for queer students, questioning students and non-LGBTQ+ students to immerse themselves in the community and learn about queer identities and queer history,” said Blair.
They also stated that this is especially important at a time when a lot of queer people are feeling isolated and alone due to the political climate. Having a space on campus where queer people can find support in community is something not every campus benefits from, and that which Suffolk is very lucky to have.
Gianna Garufi, a sophomore English major, attended the National Coming Out Day reception and was also incredibly grateful for the safe space on campus that CSDI created.
“I never felt comfortable going to LGBTQ+ events at my old school so I was excited to try one in college,” said Garufi. “I felt so welcome. I haven’t always felt comfortable since I came out so it was wonderful to be in an environment that was welcoming.”
Having a space where queer students can meet other queer students is incredibly important. Not only does it provide a safe space for the queer community, but it also fosters connections that otherwise would not happen. CSDI’s events reach every facet of Suffolk University, meaning that anyone from business majors to art majors can attend. These students likely would not meet outside of this space, seeing as classes and oftentimes clubs do not overlap much between majors. Events that bring people with similar struggles together foster friendships, and this was an opportunity for queer people from all facets of Suffolk University life to meet and bond over a shared identity.
