“My family disowned me when I came out, initially, I was a wreck telling my mom, but my dad and I still haven’t spoken in 13 years. It was a big consequence for me, coming out and being who I am, I paid a big price for it.” Mike Munoz, the Vice president of Student Services said.
Munoz, was one of seven panelists at the final installment of Safezone Workshops at LAC on May 9, he vulnerably opened up about the estranged relationships that were a result of him coming out as a gay man.
One common theme that ran through the three LBCC Safezone Workshops this semester, was helping and educating LBCC students on how to form an allyship with the LGBTQ+ community.
The workshop was hosted by Jamie Kammerman, the Student Activities Advisor, on May 9, Kammerman explains that her motive for organizing these Safezone Training Workshops was to create a healthy and supportive learning environment for LGBTQ+ students.
“It’s really about student success, I think if students don’t feel like this is a place where they can authentically be who they are and navigate our campus in a way that’s affirming to them, I think it compromises who they can be,” Kammerman said.
The panel was moderated by Oliver Rodriguez, a non-binary, latinx student whose main concern is teaching allies how to properly respect and represent the LGBTQ+ community, Rodriguez prefers to go by latinx, a gender-neutral term that is used instead of latino or latina.
“Just educate yourself, it’s really easy. We have a lot of resources in this world and in this city. That’s super important for being an ally. That’s the difference between saying you’re an ally and actually being an ally,” Rodriguez said.
Shoup Shoup, a non-binary student at LBCC was invited to speak on the panel after speaking to Kammerman about the long struggles they face with changing their name legally.
“I’ll be happy once I have my birth certificate, I’m still waiting on that, it’s just a lot of paperwork for the next couple of months, changing everything. But it’s nice that we have an option to that here in California.” Shoup said.
A big issue that was stressed throughout the entire panel was, in order to be an ally, students must be able to acknowledge their privilege and use their voice for those who don’t have one.
Robert Lenos, explains how his masculine appearance might be misleading and overshadow his gay identity.
“I think as a 6-foot-3, 300 pound male, I get away with a lot more stuff than my friends who are twinks and have feminine voices.” said Lenos.
Lance Lowe, an LBCC student and panelist, was very vocal about his struggles of being a black queer man.
Lowe explained how his male presence benefits him in being a voice for both the black and LGBTQ+ communities.
“Those are both my identities, so I feel like I was born black, that’s something that I carry, it’s something that people notice about me when I walk into a room. I don’t think the queerness comes second, I think it forms the blackness.” Lowe explains.
Kammerman reflects on the enthusiasm she has seen from students over the past three workshops.
“I feel like it’s been really well received and supported by the campus. I had a little concern rolling out three sessions, but I’ve seen very few campus initiatives that have seen that much attendance, support, and continued momentum,” said Kammerman.
The Safezone events brought great student attendance, at the first session there were 83 people in attendance, 73 people in attendance at the second session, and 68 people in attendance for the final session.
Jamie Kammerman says that she is looking forward to scheduling these workshops regularly in the future.