Three years ago I started volunteering in a mock LGBT Center set up by the Pride Action Committee (PAC), a student organization at San Diego State University.  Originally, I got involved because I wanted to meet more gay people, none of my friends were gay.  After a few months of volunteering, I realized the importance of keeping this little student organization, that was trying so hard to be a resource center, open.  Thus, my journey began.  I started getting more involved, tabling, attending meetings, and helping out with events.

The first big event that I did was World AIDS Day.  I was able to branch out to the San Diego LGBT Community and get condoms, lube and safe sex information to hand out with red ribbons and HIV facts on World AIDS day.  A friend of mine, who is living with AIDS, came and spoke about his experience later that day at the World AIDS candle light vigil.  Despite it being a small event, it was fun and amazing to see all the people who thought like I did that this event and day were important.

My next major event was taking responsibility for the Speakers Bureau at San Diego State University.  I have been organizing and setting up the panels for two years now. It is always a surprise who I get to do a panel and what questions the class seems to come up with.  The Speakers Bureau is an amazing way to make the LGBT community on campus visible.  The Speakers Bureau has even been at Patrick Henry High School.  I have been trying to get other high schools to host a panel with LGBTQIA college students, but have not yet been successful. 

Last spring, as the Outreach Coordinator of PAC, I was in charge of PrideFest, which is a CASE co-sponsored event that took place after the Queer People of Color conference.  I was able to get twenty different organizations, some LGBT, some not, as well as some from the college and community involved with tabling that night.  For me, I feel the only reason I am still involved is because I feel that the only way we are going to be equal is by being visible.  We also need to have allies and friends who are LGBT friendly.  PrideFest is all about inclusion and visibility as well as having a good time.

This coming Spring Semester I will be the Associated Students (AS) representative for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Student Union (LGBTSU).  I am excited because I will be able to make a bigger splash in the SDSU pool and make the LGBT community on campus even more visible.  Things are going great on campus, we have an LGBT minor and possibly a major and the LGBTSU and PAC groups are working together to get students on campus involved with campus and community life.  My next big goal is to get Coming Out Day part of the Aztec Nights Welcome Back Month during the fall semester. I really feel if the whole campus is involved with coming out day, it will set the tone for tolerance.  Thank you Advocates for Youth!