Standing Together Brings Unity to MC
Melissa Bekisz
Issue date: 10/18/06 Section: Features
College campuses are often noted for their liberal settings and open-minded attitudes, but this might not always apply on a Catholic campus. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gender students might feel out of place because of Catholic views toward sexual orientation. At Manhattan College, Standing Together unites gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gender students with their straight peers and helps them fight prejudices they encounter on campus, and in the world.
Standing Together provides gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gender students with a safe haven to retreat to in the midst of a Catholic college. Dominic Mach, club president, says, "It is not always easy being gay at a Catholic college, so we're basically here to listen."
The club gathers every other Tuesday as a support group in Cornerstone at 4:30 p.m. Members of all sexual orientations convene to talk about any problems caused by prejudice or any issues that members wish to discuss. Straight members also attend these meetings to show their support and offer any aid to their peers.
Although Standing together provides for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gender students, the club also reaches out to the entire Manhattan College community through educational and social events. The club hopes to host many events including a gay history tour of New York City and film screenings. Standing Together will also plan functions for World Aids Day and National Coming Out Day. In addition, Mach said that he hopes to have speakers attend Manhattan College this year.
Although Standing Together as a club has never faced resistance from Manhattan College as a Catholic institution, individual members have experienced insensitive views from fellow students. Mach says he never thought of Manhattan's campus as threatening, but he still does not feel entirely comfortable on campus. Professors, however, help to alleviate inconsideration among students.
Mach felt that these attitudes could stem from the fact that "a large number of MC students have not been exposed to people that are different then them, which causes them to be insensitive," he says. Standing Together plans to use educational events to help decrease prejudices and discrimination on campus.
Standing Together, however, is not just about weekly discussions or events to raise awareness about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gender students. The organization brings these students together with straight students in an effort to have a good time as college students and friends.
Standing Together may change its club name to a title more identifiable with the community,
such as the Manhattan College Gay-Straight Alliance. The club hopes to expand this year, and meetings and events are open to all students on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. in Cornerstone.
Standing Together provides gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gender students with a safe haven to retreat to in the midst of a Catholic college. Dominic Mach, club president, says, "It is not always easy being gay at a Catholic college, so we're basically here to listen."
The club gathers every other Tuesday as a support group in Cornerstone at 4:30 p.m. Members of all sexual orientations convene to talk about any problems caused by prejudice or any issues that members wish to discuss. Straight members also attend these meetings to show their support and offer any aid to their peers.
Although Standing together provides for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gender students, the club also reaches out to the entire Manhattan College community through educational and social events. The club hopes to host many events including a gay history tour of New York City and film screenings. Standing Together will also plan functions for World Aids Day and National Coming Out Day. In addition, Mach said that he hopes to have speakers attend Manhattan College this year.
Although Standing Together as a club has never faced resistance from Manhattan College as a Catholic institution, individual members have experienced insensitive views from fellow students. Mach says he never thought of Manhattan's campus as threatening, but he still does not feel entirely comfortable on campus. Professors, however, help to alleviate inconsideration among students.
Mach felt that these attitudes could stem from the fact that "a large number of MC students have not been exposed to people that are different then them, which causes them to be insensitive," he says. Standing Together plans to use educational events to help decrease prejudices and discrimination on campus.
Standing Together, however, is not just about weekly discussions or events to raise awareness about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gender students. The organization brings these students together with straight students in an effort to have a good time as college students and friends.
Standing Together may change its club name to a title more identifiable with the community,
such as the Manhattan College Gay-Straight Alliance. The club hopes to expand this year, and meetings and events are open to all students on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. in Cornerstone.