Spring Break
DSAGA holds 13th annual Coming Out Day on campus
Issue date: 10/9/08
"We call ourselves the Diverse Sexuality and Gender Alliance and not a Gay Straight Alliance because it feels more inclusive. It does include straight people. I am straight. We are here to promote awareness of the LGBT," Popkin said.
According to the DSAGA Web site, on the morning of the first Hopkins Coming Out Day in 1996, all of the promotional posters were removed by Custodial Services at the administration's request.
The following day, Gloria Guzman, then a member of DSAGA, organized a rally. The DSAGA has commemorated this landmark for the past 12 years on Coming Out Day.
Calderon said that the members of DSAGA often share personal stories of discrimination, or, alternatively, encouraging stories of acceptance.
Jin Cha, DSAGA secretary, described how his parents asked him to suppress his sexuality for the sake of his family's reputation.
Cha said that the repression he felt at home was the motivating factor in his decision to join DSAGA.
According to Popkin, although discrimination may still be a problem on campus, the atmosphere has become more accepting in recent years.
"Back when I was a freshman, there were some problems with certain out-of-the-closet individuals on campus because they became like celebrities," Popkin said. "I've found that this is less of an issue now. With awareness, freshmen who come out are less like celebrities and more like anybody else.
According to the DSAGA Web site, on the morning of the first Hopkins Coming Out Day in 1996, all of the promotional posters were removed by Custodial Services at the administration's request.
The following day, Gloria Guzman, then a member of DSAGA, organized a rally. The DSAGA has commemorated this landmark for the past 12 years on Coming Out Day.
Calderon said that the members of DSAGA often share personal stories of discrimination, or, alternatively, encouraging stories of acceptance.
Jin Cha, DSAGA secretary, described how his parents asked him to suppress his sexuality for the sake of his family's reputation.
Cha said that the repression he felt at home was the motivating factor in his decision to join DSAGA.
According to Popkin, although discrimination may still be a problem on campus, the atmosphere has become more accepting in recent years.
"Back when I was a freshman, there were some problems with certain out-of-the-closet individuals on campus because they became like celebrities," Popkin said. "I've found that this is less of an issue now. With awareness, freshmen who come out are less like celebrities and more like anybody else.
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