In an effort to show its support for UCLA’s lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender community, the undergraduate student
government passed a resolution Tuesday to officially recognize this
week as National Coming Out Week.
“(The resolution) is to let them know we have their
back,” said Undergraduate Students Association Council
President Allende Palma/Saracho, adding that it’s important
for the council to show that it is welcoming to all students.
“We are here to support them … should they ever need our
assistance in any matter,” Palma/Saracho said.
Roy Samaan, former chairman of the Elections Board and a current
staff member for the Office of the External Vice President,
presented the resolution to the council and believes the resolution
is important since “it’s a very visible
statement.”
Samaan explained that the passing of the resolution means a lot
to the LGBT community since the council represents the students of
UCLA as a whole.
Samaan is not alone in this stance. Razi Zarchi, chairman of
Mishpacha, an LGBT Jewish student group, said that, on a personal
level, the council has already shown him support by reassuring him
that homophobic acts would not be tolerated on this campus.
But as for the bigger picture, Zarchi said this support is
“huge” because there are many college campuses where
LGBT students are alone in fighting for their cause and do not have
the support of their elected student leaders.
According to the text of the passed resolution, the council will
pledge its active support to the LGBT community in its continued
efforts to gain full equality.
Samaan believes that having USAC publicly support the LGBT
community will provide opportunities for the two groups to work
together and tackle a number of issues.
He mentioned that the adding of an LGBT-sensitivity question to
the on-campus housing application is one of the major issues the
council can help the LGBT community with.
In the past, leaders in the LGBT community have cautioned
student leaders against rushing into this change without extensive
research.
Aside from the added visibility that comes with being recognized
by USAC, Palma/Saracho believes that it is important to stay united
on an issue of this kind at a time when the rest of the nation is
polarized about it.
“(The polarization) can lead to fear and
misunderstanding,” Palma/Saracho said.
This is not the first time USAC has shown its support for the
LGBT community. In the past, the council has passed similar
resolutions, including one issued last year in support of same-sex
marriage.