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As president of the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Straight Alliance, I do have to say that Brian Sloan's letter to the editor ("BGLSA leader needs responsibility lesson," Tuesday) is absolutely right in his belief that I did not represent the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community, or BGLSA, in my interview last week.
The "Up Close & Personal" interview was one aimed at getting to know me. Yes, I am president of BGLSA, and yes, I have a personality away from it. As president I feel I must defend BGLSA. Accusing the organization of not being politically active is a folly itself. University-funded student organizations cannot take stances on political issues. Per Student Government finance codes, a protest of Amendment 1 would have violated this policy and caused BGLSA to be stripped of funding, becoming classified as a political organization instead of social.
BGLSA has been my heart and soul for the last year. This year for the organization marks the highest attendance ever. Not coincidentally, I restructured the group this year to become a much more social environment for members, while still presenting them with relevant topics. This social group has proven to be incredible for many GLBTQ students with resources they never knew about, friends they otherwise would have never met, and education to topics that, as a future nurse, I feel are imperative for such a community to receive.
In my own defense, my views on the president of the United States reflect absolutely nothing about BGLSA. Missing the State of the Union had several factors. First, that evening I was with BGLSA at a social function. Secondly, I left directly from there to see my grandparents. My grandfather was having heart surgery the next morning and I felt that consoling my family took priority over W.
My political side is kept separate from my social side. Little does the USC campus know that a second GLBTQ organization is being formed this semester. I am spearheading the founding of a politically active group for students, faculty and staff.
If the attendance found at BGLSA is any reflection of how I have been running the organization, then I say I'm on the right track.
The friends I have found through BGLSA have truly been a godsend. The fact that they keep coming back shows me I am an effective president.
Next year, when I am firmly seated as president of BGLSA once again, I highly recommend coming to see exactly what the active GLBTQ community on campus does.
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