Long Beach City College has introduced a new LGBTQIA+ learning community meant to build connections both academically and culturally for students and allies of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community.
As a part of this learning community, students who join will be able to connect to both on and off campus identity based resources such as counseling, build relationships with other members of their community and take general education courses that emphasize on LGBTQIA+ issues.
Cohorts like this are important for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be able to connect with others and truly come into their own identity.
However, there is a debate about whether or not those outside of the LGBTQIA+ community should join the learning community as well in order to become more accepting.
According to the Pew Research Center, 70% of LGBTQIA+ individuals say that knowing someone within the community helps people be more accepting of them.
As it stands, the cohort is mixed with queer students and allies and this has been working successfully. But should people who do not necessarily consider themselves allies join? The answer is not as easy as a yes or no.
The learning community is meant to be a safe space for all the students in it.
It would be wonderful if people joined and earnestly sought to make friends with queer students, who they normally might not.
However, no student should join if their sole purpose is to be argumentative and initiate debates.
The purpose of this cohort is not to convert someone into being accepting and it should not focus on trying to make anyone believe in something they don’t.
Things would be wonderful if straight students took time to educate themselves on LGBTQIA+ issues, but it is nobody’s job to do that for them. It is an initiative individuals should take.
In 2009, before gay marriage was legalized, a Gallup poll showed that only 20% of people who did not personally know someone from the LGBT community favored gay marriage. Compared to those who did personally know someone that was a part of the community, the number of approval was at 49%.
It is important for everyone to have an open mind and be respectful to others no matter what. Joining a LGBTQIA+ cohort can be an amazing experience. It allows students to make friends with people in your classes and build a better sense of community.
In addition, access to things like public speakers, field trips, and counseling can all benefit all students and make their college experience that much better. When registering for classes, it will alert you that the class you’re joining is part of the learning community so pay attention when choosing classes.
Should straight, cisgendered students have to join cohorts? Absolutely not. But it could be an enriching experience if they do.