Student Organization Spotlight: LGBTQIA+ Alliance

The following is an overview of the recent activities that the student organization, Butler LGBTQIA+ Alliance, has worked on throughout campus this semester. 

Maya Illanes | millanes@butler.edu

The Butler LGBTQIA+ Alliance exists to create a safe and engaging environment and community for LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. With President Enali Rogers, the organization works to promote campus awareness and understanding of topics and issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Alliance represents the interests and concerns of LGBTQIA+ students at Butler University and supports unity between LGBTQIA+ students and the Butler community. 

Alliance has multiple outreach events planned for this fall. Events include the organization’s annual drag show which is put on in collaboration of five professional Indy performers and three student performers. The show will take place this Thursday, October 26th at 7 pm in the Reilly Room. They have also incorporated many well-being initiatives for the LGTBQIA+ community, such as mental health panels and STD testing with community partners. Alliance has planned to have a Gender Affirmation Closet (GAC) running, which will provide gender-affirming resources to students who identify as transgender.

The goals that Alliance has set for this year are based on the organization’s three pillars: Community, Advocacy, and Education. Discouraging systematic and individual acts of homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, xenophobia, and racism remains an extremely important part of Alliance’s efforts on campus. As Rogers states, “Alliance strives to make it so that [our] presence on campus ensures that LGBTQIA+ students always have a supportive, comfortable, and confidential space. We are here to stand up for students, represent them as well as we can, and provide resources whenever possible.” 

Alliance will continue to foster safe spaces and a sense of community, partner with other on and off-campus resources relevant to Butler students, continue to work to raise campus awareness and curate an understanding of topics and issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression on behalf of all LGBTQIA+ students and allies.