Barely a few weeks ago, True Colors, the Mount’s student-founded LGBTQ club, got approved by SGA making it the first official student club of its kind. A long and well-fought process that started in the spring of 2021. “The fact that we got this club ratified, we are history in the making,” said True Colors Chair of Justice and Communications.
True Colors is a group of individuals, all of different backgrounds, whose priority is “providing a safe space for LGBTQ people on campus” as stated by the club’s President and Chair of Inclusion and Identity. They also go on to explain how the club is open to all people belonging to the LGBTQ community as well as allies. Everyone can join.
“We are trying to get LGBTQ education out there, spread awareness for it, for things that happen on campus, things that happen in law and government, you know bills that they pass in other states that suppress LGBTQ youth,” said the president. They also do mental check-ins making sure that everyone feels like they have someone to turn to and that everyone on campus can feel like they belong.
“We’re trying to do activities that kind of brings us together,” said the president. Dean Esses comments on how good it is to have a club where people can come together and support one another. “I think it's good because it gives more diversity on campus,” said an anonymous student.
The club has unfortunately faced issues. Signs and posters have been torn down and various other things have occurred. The president says that they “definitely think it's a scarier thing like being on such a religious campus and being LGBTQ.” They clarify by saying that they “feel like I have had to watch my back since I got here.” Many find this troubling and do not want this to be the case on campus.
Others find it difficult to ignore the school’s religious affliction and the issues that have been existing between Catholicism and the LGBTQ community. But as Dean Esses says, “What is set up follows Catholic values, the organization was set up to help students. Giving them this club meets that purpose.”
Likewise, there are people here to help. The Chair of Justice and Communications says that there are “some very religious people on this campus that do not side with the homophobia, but they would rather take the Lord’s work and do what its intended; to uplift, to help, like the whole love thy neighbor thing. They would bitterly do exactly that while you also have a small percentage that wants to hurt and belittle.”
The Chair of Wellness and Climate wants people to know that her “biggest advice, for someone who is against the group on campus, is come join a meeting. I would say come to a meeting because once you are able to interact with people that you disagree with that is when you see the humanity in them.” She later clarifies how she wants people who disagree with the club to think open-mindedly and approach it in that fashion.