A prism can split light into a rainbow. Creators of SC’s PRISM said they are working to bring the rainbow together.
PRISM is an LGBTQIA affinity group designed to advocate for students and employees.
Kyler Miller, a lab technician at the Otay Mesa satellite campus, and Jessica Noel, a research analyst at the Chula Vista campus, are the founders of PRISM. Miller said they are working to create welcoming safe spaces for LGBTQ adults of the community.
They also hope to educate people outside of the LGBTQ community about its needs and issues, he said.
“You may never truly understand what it is like to be in the LGBTQ plus community, but if you come in and learn you’ll understand more than you could have before,” he said.
Miller said he and Noel are also still contemplating whether or not to invite allies into the group.
Noel said that it might come down to “open and closed” meetings. Open meetings would include allies and closed meetings would be specifically for members of the LGBTQ community.
Noel said the goal of PRISM is to help LGBTQIA members prosper.
“Ultimately we want to see LGBTQIA members who are really thriving and especially thriving here at Southwestern,” she said.
Miller said it is helpful for LGBTQ youth to see adults of the community thrive.
“It is a moment for students to know that they are not alone, I will be fine, I will thrive, I will move on,” he said. “I will become an all-star in life, Southwestern College is giving me that opportunity to thrive.”
Miller said he and Noel want to make sure PRISM reaches all campuses.
“A lot of our specialty programs are in satellite campuses, which also means that the students going to those programs only take classes there, so it’s important that no matter where you take classes, you should be able to plug in,” Miller said.
PRISM’S stated mission aligns with that of SAGA (Sexuality and Gender Alliance), a student club advised by Child and Family Development instructor Bill Marsden. SAGA meets twice a week with the formal goal of creating a pleasant environment for LGBTQ students on campus. A request by SAGA two years for a room designated an LGBTQ “safe space” was rejected by SC President Dr. Kindred Murillo, who said at the time that all students needed to mingle and not separate themselves out into interest groups. Since then, however, the college opened a Veterans Center for former members of the armed forces.
Marsden, who said he identifies as LGBTQ, said he wants SAGA students to learn, love and grow into self-actualized adults.
“We’re human beings who have families, wants, needs, loves and concerns,” he said. “Our sexual preference and gender should have nothing to do with who we are. We’re human beings first.”
