Queer People of Color seeks recognition
The group is looking to become a recognized student organization.
Published Nov. 12, 2010
Sophomore Brandon Hamilton said he knows being an LGBTQ student or student of color in itself can be daunting. He also said he knows being a minority in both race and sexual orientation can put a student in an even more intimidating situation.
“It’s almost like being a minority within a minority group,” Hamilton said. “It’s really hard for a lot of people.”
This was the inspiration behind the inception of the Queer People of Color student group.
“When I go to the different LGBTQ events on campus, I always notice that there aren’t too many people of color present,” Hamilton said. “I’ve noticed -- with looking at other organizations -- a lot of minorities are more inclined to join a group if it’s specifically targeted to a minority group.”
Hamilton said he came across the group after perusing the LGBTQ Resource Center after the recent suicides in the LGBTQ community. He stumbled upon QPOC, which was listed as only an interest group, led by graduate student Ashley Price.
“It started in response to students being concerned with the lack of queer people of color being visible in LGBT programming, and then from there, it went from trying to do outreach,” Price said. “I think that’s one of the biggest goals of this group.”
QPOC will essentially provide a safe space for LGBTQ and minority students. Hamilton said the group will be very similar to the Triangle Coalition.
Through slated events, such as open mics and volunteer projects, and weekly discussions, the group hopes to exude confidence and comfort toward LGBTQ students, Hamilton said. He predicts discussions will focus on identity issues and personal experiences.
“I want people to feel comfortable,” Hamilton said. “They need to know they’re not alone.”
On Thursday evening, more than the 10 required members attended QPOC’s first meeting. At the meeting, Hamilton and Price outlined the process for QPOC becoming a recognized organization, which included selecting an executive board and producing a constitution.
Hamilton had previously created a constitution for the group and is now seeking feedback from potential members.
LGBTQ Resource Center Ryan Black challenged the students at Thursday’s meeting to reclaim the center when it moves to the new Student Center on Dec. 16.
“It’s been expressed in the past that the resource center, through its programming, has not done a good job at meeting the needs of queer students of color,” Black said.
Black said this spawned a big discussion a few years back when he accepted his position at the center. He said the discussion made him look more critically at how queer people of color are represented at the center, in terms of staffing and programming, among others.
“This is part of changing all of that,” Black said. “There’s so many faces here that I’ve never seen before and this is supposed to be the queer community on campus and I’m the coordinator. If I haven’t met these people, either I’m doing something wrong or I’m not establishing a space that says, ‘Hey, this is a welcoming space for students of color.’”
Regardless, Hamilton said a group such as QPOC is necessary on MU’s campus.
“I know in this time we’re diverse and all, but still a lot of people are skeptical to join groups if they feel like they’ll be the only person like them there,” Hamilton said. “I want them to feel more comfortable.”