 "Photo: Caitlin Bush")
For more than 33 years, the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Student Union has been the name of the organization at UCF whose mission is to achieve equality and fair treatment for all persons regardless of sexual orientation, according to the group’s Web site.
That name has now officially been changed to Equal.
“We wanted to change the name so we could include transgendered students, students that were questioning their sexuality and straight allies,” said Equal President Eden Wetherell. “We didn’t want to seem that we were being exclusive to gays and not inclusive of all other people.”
The club has been trying to change its name for two years but could not find a name that all the members agreed on. According to the club’s constitution, a three-fourths majority of the members must agree on a name to officially change the name of the organization.
“Having the name ‘Equal’ is starting to lose the stigma of just being a gay club,” Wetherell said. “If we want to actually make progress in the GLBT community, we need those straight allies to come.”
About five new people have come to each meeting since the name change, Wetherell said.
Wetherell has been an officer and member of the club for four years and said she has never seen those kinds of numbers.
“Equal can also mean a myriad of things, which, as this club continues to grow each year and maintains a desire to offer people a better and broader scope of service and support, is important,” said Equal member Brooke LaTurno. “GLBSU was a pretty tight box; Equal, however, has the possibility of growing in whatever directions suit it and encompassing a boundless variety of resources for members.”
There are between 800 and 900 members on the club’s e-mail list, and the club has more than 200 members who attend meetings, Wetherell said. Special meetings sometimes host transgendered panels to answer students’ questions. General meetings draw between 60 and 80 members.
Equal recently partnered with Natura Coffee and Tea to have GLOW (gay, lesbian or whatever) Night. GLOW Night is a fundraiser that occurs on the last Tuesday of every month in which gay artists perform and a portion of the proceeds goes to Equal.
Wetherell said the most important part of the club is that it helps students become comfortable with themselves. She said the club advocates pride and provides a social outlet for people to come together and know they are not alone.
Students Advocating For Equality is another club that works with Equal that advocates for the inclusion of sexual equality in the UCF Golden Rule. Wetherell said SAFE is the more politically active club.
The club often has information sessions. Doctorate students in GLBT studies and cultural awareness often come and speak at meetings, and issue meetings that are forums for controversial topics, such as which religions approve of homosexuality and why members hold certain beliefs.
Equal also hosts events such as Diva Invasion, an annual female impersonator review, each year.
The club is currently working on a Thanksgiving food drive for the homeless. The next big event is the Florida Collegiate Pride Conference, which will take place at UCF next year.
The FCPC is where GLBSU organizations from universities and colleges across Florida get together for a weekend and GLBSU leaders can network.
Wetherell is optimistic about the name change to Equal. She said she expects the club to grow, to spread awareness to more people and to work together to achieve equality in the community.
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