I am an Activist Because...

Everyone calls me Kia. You can say that I am new to this whole college thing, I wouldn’t though. In elementary school, every student wanted to be a doctor, ballet dancer, singer etc...I just wanted to be a college graduate. I mean why not?

“GO to college. GO to one of the top universities.” We see this all day on social media, TV shows, and even newspapers. I rarely ever see a “Graduate from College!” ad.

In my opinion, media doesn’t stress graduating college enough. According to ThinkProgress, “only 56 percent of the students who enter America's colleges and universities graduate within six years, while only 29 percent of students who enter two-year programs complete their degrees within three years.”

What can I do to avoid becoming one of those students?

Well, I surround myself around seniors here at Chico. After we have a full conversation I mention that I’m a first year student. “Wait...you’re a first year student and you have an internship? How are you so involved on campus already?” I love the face they give me when they notice I am the youngest in the group.

I’m assuming that most first year students don’t really get involved because they are unaware of all of the opportunities available to them. One organization that I took advantage of was the AS Gender and Sexuality Equity Center (GSEC). You know that room in the BMU with the big rainbows and women empowerment signs on the door? Yea...that’s us. I would tell you about how PRIDEful we are but I’m sure the door speaks for itself.

The GSEC has 3 different programs. There is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, PLUS Program (LGBTQ+), the Outreach Program, and the Women’s Program.   

If you couldn’t tell already, I am proud to say that I am apart of the LGBTQ+ Program. “So like .. Are you Gay?”

“No...I am bisexual.”

“Ohhh okay...so you are confused?”

“NOOOO…I like both, men AND women.”

As an activist here at the GSEC it is my job to educate people about misconceptions so people can stop thinking that, “all LGBTQ+ people CHOSE to be gay.” I mean...who would want to be a part of a community that is one of the most hated in America? Too many people from the LGBTQ+ community attempt/commit suicide and some people still think we all choose to be gay?  Hearing that any human has committed suicide is very heartbreaking but when it is someone who is in my community it hurts even MORE. Many people who identify as LGBTQ+ feel the need to commit suicide because they think something is wrong with them or that society won’t accept them.

You don’t honestly think we like being abused by our parents or bullied by our peers, right?

“If being gay is a choice, when did you choose to be straight?”

I love my sexuality. I feel like I have the best of both worlds, but what about those who don't? What about the parents who claim they will love their child unconditionally but when their child “comes out”, their parents don’t want anything to do with them? Parents teach their children that being gay is wrong so the kid starts to think something is wrong with them. It eats them up inside because when they try to lay with someone of a different gender, they feel no chemistry but when they see a person of the same gender it feels right.

As an activist, it is my responsibility to give knowledge to those who don’t really understand. It is not my job to persuade you to accept me. That is all up to you. I simply want to educate you about LGBTQ+ issues and identities to dispel these myths and stereotypes and maybe that will change your opinion about my community. If it doesn’t, at least you will have some knowledge about us. Now that you have read this, you have taken your first step to educating yourself. Continue to read blogs!! I will post my blogs on: October 28th, November 18th, and December 10th