GSDA lends a hand to promote Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The Gender & Sexuality Diversity Association is making waves during April’s Sexual Assault Awareness month.

“Sexual assault is a very tricky topic to discuss, but then again, so is being queer, so we felt up to the task of shining the light on something that most people would keep in the dark,” GSDA President Mike Winters said.

The issue of sexual assault affects everyone, not just the LGBT community, he said, so that is why it is imperative to spread the message to the entire student body.

According to Winters, Wichita Falls has the highest rate of sexual assault in Texas, and college students are especially vulnerable to this kind of violence.

“The majority of sexual assault prevention in America focuses on telling people to not be raped, which, essentially, places fault on the victim if they are raped,” Winters said.

Winters said sexual assault is still considered to be one of the most underreported crimes, as feelings of shame, guilt or uncertainty sometimes plague victims.

“Our message is vital,” he said, “If someone is struggling with sexual assault, a non-heterosexual identity or a just a bad day, they deserve to have someone looking out for them.”

Even though many students who fall into one of those categories, some of the most sensitive and personal topics can be a challenge, including sexual assault.

“Everyone deserves to know that someone cares, someone understands, and someone is willing to help,” Winters said.

GSDA is working to remedy the lack of support venues among the LGBT and heterosexual community alike at MSU and in the Wichita Falls area.

“As our membership increases, we will gain the ability to speak for those who may not normally have a say,” Winters said. “Statistically speaking, 10 percent [more or less] of the population is gay. That means there should be somewhere around 10,000 gay people in Wichita Falls alone, and yet, there are few organizations attending to them in Wichita Falls, much less on campus.”

The group drew an array of chalk-art between buildings on campus and is passing out much-needed school supplies such as scantrons and notebooks with attached educational information this week.

The information details unsettling sexual assault statistics with information on crisis, therapy and protection agencies and explains to in need students that they are not alone.

“This is another aspect of our goal to be looking out for everyone,” Winters said. “Since it’s almost guaranteed that someone somewhere on campus forgot they have a test today.”

Last month, Winters took the reigns as president of the organization, and the members decided to change the group’s name.

Once known as P.R.O.U.D., Providing Respect for Others; Unity; and Diversity, the group decided to take on the new name of GSDA to become more welcoming and appealing to students who are interested in joining the cause.

“We chose this name because we felt it was less intimidating for those who are interested in the group but are not yet willing, for whatever reason, to be open about the support we give and are given in return,” Winters said.

Last semester, the organization gave away condoms and provided students with the opportunity to be tested for HIV, in order to bring awareness to safe sex practices.

Winters said in the very near future, his group plans to host an array of social and fundraising events.

This semester, the group is engaged in a project that encompasses transgender awareness on campus, a discussion panel on “coming out” and charitable drives for shelters for women and LGBT runaway youth.

“Our group is unique in that it suspends most qualities that could divide people: race, religion, academic achievement, major and, of course, gender and sexual orientation,” Winters said. “By lifting all of these barriers and allowing people to come together as one entity, I feel that we can become an effective, unparalleled vessel of altruism for both Midwestern State University and the city of Wichita Falls.”

Patrick Calzada, currently an MA adjunct professor at Cameron University, was a graduate student at MSU when he joined P.R.O.U.D., founded by his girlfriend, Abbie Scott.

“[GSDA is] extremely important,” he said, “My relationship with Abbie would have been argued against 30 years ago because I am a minority. Someone spoke up for me, and now I speak up for those who need my help.”

Calzada also emphasized the group is vital to the community because it is open to all types—gay, straight, questioning and transgender, to name a few.

According to Calzada, most students do not “come out” until they attend college where they are able to freely explore what their sexuality entails.

“I was ignorant to the whole homosexual community and I had many biases, “ he said. “My interaction and opening my mind allowed me to realize ‘Hey, I am the one who is wrong. Why am I wanting to stop two people who love each other to have the same rights as I do?’”

Calzada said he has friends in both communities, and he will continue to fight for their equal rights, regardless of sex, creed, or choice of partner.

“As an adjunct professor, I let it be known that I am a safe person, and I will fight for their rights,” he said. “Or if they have questions and just need someone to talk to—if I do not have the answers, I know people who do, and the community of the group is critical.”