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Purpose of GLBA
Per the constitution of GLBA:
The purpose of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Alliance (GLBA) is to provide the university community with a forum for discussion of issues regarding sexual orientation. GLBA promotes the fact that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons are an affirming part of the world’s cultural, ethnic, religious and sexual diversity.
In realistic terms, GLBA does many things at one time. We act to bring people together, educate, break misconceptions, and encourage growth among all members of the USA community.
First and foremost, we offer fellowship. We organize dinners and outings and cookouts and road trips and any number of purely communal and fun activities. We are here for people with similar experiences and outlooks to come together.
Coming together can be extremely important, for at a practical level, it can be hard to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual. It can even be hard to be a friend of a person falling into one of those categories. By bringing people together we hope to strengthen people's ability to be themselves and be happy. Together we can offer each other support in times of need. More often what is needed is just a chance to have fun while being oneself--and that we try to offer on a regular basis. See our Activities page for more information on current gatherings.
GLBA understands the stresses of being of an alternative sexual orientation. Acceptance on the part of one's family, friends, and peers is sometimes lacking and not everyone is ready to share their experiences with the world. GLBA hopes to make the life of USA community members easier by offering at least one place where a person can be himself or herself without fear of being judged or ridiculed.
In order to help all students, staff, and faculty to feel comfortable and safe at USA, GLBA also works to educate the university community and the Mobile area as a whole. We seek to show that diversity is an asset, not a threat. Through education, GLBA hopes to teach that it is ignorance and bigotry, not diversity itself, that cause strife.
GLBA further serves the community. GLBA works with the Mobile AIDS Support Service. It also increases awareness of World AIDS Day through sidewalk chalking and posters. GLBA brings in guest speakers to give lectures and field questions. We also work to spread the word about National Coming Out Day and Gay Pride Day here to let the presence of gay and lesbian persons be known.
While an important goal of GLBA is education and service, members can be involved at whatever level they want. GLBA offers members opportunities to become involved with the campus and the community, but if you're not much on education and don't really need support or don't feel up to serving the community, we still welcome members just to kick back and have a good time with us. Have a look at our people page to see some of our kewl times. :-)
University
of South Alabama Gay Lesbian Bisexual Alliance
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