Pride parade at McMaster

YOUSIF HADDAD

Amanda Teseo

Silhouette Staff

Stepping on this campus for the first time, filled either with a chaotic enthusiasm surrounding welcome week or with a nervous uncertainty, the overwhelming prospect of building a future for yourself here seems daunting. The university experience is about finding yourself, your passions, your aptitudes and your values.

Now, imagine walking through this campus with the weight of being classified as “queer” over your shoulders. Will you have people who add to the burden you carry? Will you discover a community that accepts you?

Many people get caught up in stereotypes of what they think queer (as a broad umbrella term for all sexual minorities) people are like. In a big university setting, like McMaster, sexual minorities often fall through the cracks. There are gay people around, but they often are not visible.

The Queer Student’s Community Centre (QSCC) is a service group provided by the McMaster Students Union. From September to April, the QSCC operates as a resource centre and accepting community for all sexual minorities and those who support diversity. They hold regular social events, information sessions, and newcomer meetings for anyone who is interested, no matter what your sexual orientation is.

From Nov. 14 to 18, the QSCC is hosting MAC Pride Week. Pride week celebrates the process of embracing and accepting one’s identity. It includes a multitude of creative events, like McMaster’s third annual Pride Parade and the QSCC Drag Show. This year, the McMaster Pride Parade had an impressive turn out of over 60 people from various groups around campus, like EFRT, the men’s basketball team, the SRA and Residence Life.

“There has been a huge growth in the last three years in support for the QSCC on campus,” said Hillary Jones, third-year Honours Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour student. “It’s amazing and empowering to see so many people offer their support. Connecting with people helps to reassure your own identity.” Jones handles the QSCC Newcomer’s Meetings, which are completely anonymous and confidential social meetings for those who are new to QSCC.

Adam Palios, who is in his third year of Honours Life Science with a minor in Psychology, is the Social Events and Media Coordinator for the QSCC. He officially came out as being gay during his senior prom in high school. Surrounded by support for his identity by his family and close friends, Palios had the courage to take his boy friend (at the time) to prom and kiss him in the middle of the dance floor in front of all his peers. Everyone responded with a huge roar of applause.

“People are people and they all deserve to love and be loved, regardless of their orientation, gender or sexuality,” Adam explained. “People think of queers as ‘the other,’ but they are ‘us.’ They live among us, in our communities and not in isolation. The QSCC raises awareness and brings visibility to the queer community.”

The QSCC offers other helpful services for students, like the Social Safe Place, as well as Health Questions. The Social Safe Place is a positive environment for queer people to hang out free of judgment. It’s located in MUSC room 221, where anyone can come anonymously to interact with others who are open-minded. For Health Questions, the QSCC has male, female and trans health coordinators that can answer any questions one may have regarding mental health, relationship issues, sexual health, substance abuse and more.

Whether you are classified as falling under the “queer” umbrella term or as a heterosexual, we all have strengths, weaknesses, passions and endeavors, and this is part of what makes McMaster so diverse.