When we see LGBTQIA here at school we see a community that accepts each other. They have a place where they can be themselves free from the pressures of the world. Some kids in our school talked about the struggles and how being in this community makes them feel welcome. 

Q: How does it feel to be part of this community? 

D: “I feel like everyone, I just like guys and girls.”

Q: Do you ever feel pressure from the outside world?

A: “I used to, but not anymore.”

Q: What made you feel like this?

A: “My parents, when I first came out they kinda pressed me…” 

Q: “Have you ever experienced homophobia?”

A: “Yes, someone called me the F-slur, I was like damn that’s crazy.”

This week around campus, students can see words of encouragement from the Acceptance Club. We also talked about what pride week means to them and how it’s important to have a week like this around school with Adrian Ortega, the 12th grade president of the acceptance club.

Q: “What do you do in the Acceptance Club?”

A: “I’m the president of the Acceptance Club, we make a safe space and community for LGBTQ people to chill and eat their lunch.”

Q: “This week is pride week correct?”

A: “Correct, this week we had an art gallery on Wednesday, [and] on Tuesday we did pride flag coloring, and on Monday we gave out information and pins to help out the LGBTQ community.”

Q: “How does it feel to be part of a community that’s so welcoming?”

A: “It feels good I think? When I first joined the community and club, I felt very welcomed everyone in the club was very nice.”

The acceptance club had a week of showing what the LGBTQ+ community means to the students apart of the community.