The UNM Queer Straight Alliance has seen about a 300 percent increase in membership since last semester.
Ralph Baylor, a QSA member, said that about 10 people attended meetings last year, but now there are about 50 attendees at each meeting.
QSA spokesman Jeffrey Waldo said a member from a San Francisco chapter was impressed when she visited a meeting at UNM.
“(She) came and checked out the group and exclaimed that we had more people than her QSA in one of the gay capitals of America,” he said.
QSA chairwoman Brandy Rodke said the group is thriving because there are more officers promoting the meetings. She said the number of officers increased from two last semester to eight this fall.
Rodke also said the group has done more sidewalk-chalking and distributed more fliers this semester than in years past.
Waldo said the difference in QSA attendance this semester has changed the dynamic of the organization.
“The number and diversity of this year’s group is insane,” he said. “The room that was mostly empty last year is now completely packed.”
Waldo said UNM’s QSA is more important than most student organizations on campus and should be able to offer additional services.
“Unfortunately, this is a student-run organization. We’re basically just like the Chess Club, or Hobbit Society,” he said. “UNM’s GLBTQ community needs something along the lines of the Women’s Resource Center, or Native American Student Services. Right now, they have the QSA doing what a (Queer Resource Center) should do. … Most other universities have a QRC.”
Rodke said the group is meant to be a safe zone where people can feel comfortable no matter their sexual identity.
“It lets everyone know it’s okay to be themselves, especially for people who aren’t really out yet,” she said.
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Student Chelsea Toledo said the QSA serves an important purpose on campus by helping people feel safer to express their sexuality.
“The QSA is the reason why I can go around campus with a rainbow belt,” she said.
Rodke said the QSA is planning more events in the wider community this semester.
“That’s something the straight allies have suggested, to go out into a straight environment, because it’s a queer straight alliance, not just a queer alliance.”
*Queer Straight
Alliance Meetings
Wednesdays
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
SUB Acoma A&B *
