By Nicole Hilerio | Observer Contributor
When Nathan Bixby, a Communications Major focusing in audio, came to Mount Wachusett Community College he immediately began looking into LGBT organizations on campus. He came across People Rising In Defense of Everyone (PRIDE).
Suicide rates are rising amongst LGBT teens. As the nation becomes more proactive in the fight against bullying and cyber bullying, people are finding ways to help support those who are victimized. PRIDE is the place to go for those who want to make a difference or need a helping hand on campus.
The club itself is trying to grow and expand to be able to plan more elaborate events for students and to help raise awareness of issues facing the LGBT community and their allies.
“We do a lot of events on campus related to the LGBT community which include Wearing Purple to raise teenage suicide awareness, the Day of Silence and National Coming Out day. “ Bixby explains, “There’s an inconsistent attendance, that varies meeting to meeting but the meetings are open to allies, friends and those with open minds that want to make a difference”.
The Day Of Silence is described as “Sponsored by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, the National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country take some form of a vow of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools. Through their activities students can speak out against harassment and organize for change for their schools and communities,” according to Dayofsilence.org.
The club itself gets a warm welcome for the students and faculty on campus, Bixby had no bad experiences he could think of.
When asked what he enjoyed most about being a member of PRIDE Bixby responded “I like that everyone’s really chill and we try our best to reach out to LGBT students and let them know we’re here for them, I love that we have a presence and are known around campus as a support system.”
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