15 October 2019
Caitlyn Dieckmann
Rachelle Ono, Senior nursing major
What does the word “queer” mean to you?
“Attraction to the same sex.”
How do you view queer culture?
“Open. Accepting. They’re [the queer community] not different than me. I wouldn’t categorize them as something I am judgmental against. They’re just people.”
Does UCCS have a prominent queer culture?
“Moderate, I would say. Like, compared to colleges in California, I think it is different here in Colorado. So maybe less prominent than in other states. This college does a good job at being accepting to all types of people.”
In your opinion, what’s the importance of having institutions on campus like MOSAIC that contribute in cultivating queer/LGBTQ culture?
“I think it’s really important, because if someone were to feel alone, then I think these places, MOSAIC, provide a place for them to feel comfortable.”
Queer/LGBTQ culture in the U.S. is better than some countries but worse than others. How can that be improved, in your opinion?
“I think, treating people who may be different from you, treat them exactly the same.”
Chandler Brown, Freshman nursing major
What does the word “queer” mean to you?
“I don’t think about it much. I know it is used in the LGBTQ community. I know it has a lot of meanings, and that’s why I don’t use it, because I know some people take offense to it.”
How do you view queer culture?
“I’m fine with it. I am open minded, not against it.”
Does UCCS have a prominent queer culture?
“I would say, yeah. I haven’t met a lot of people [in the LGBTQ community] but that does not mean that they are not around, I just haven’t met them.”
In your opinion, what’s the importance of having institutions on campus like MOSAIC that contributes in cultivating queer/LGBTQ culture?
“It’s important for them to have that so they can, if they feel like they don’t fit in, or if people are judging them, have a place where they can go that is comforting to them.”
Queer/LGBTQ culture in the U.S. is better than some countries but worse than others. How can that be improved, in your opinion?
“That is a hard question. I don’t know. You can’t just tell people to be open minded. So, it’s hard to answer that question.”
Jake Adam Bleiler, Freshman business management major
What does the word “queer” mean to you?
“How I have heard it my most of life was kind of as a word not to use. I always viewed it as a word that you have to be careful how you say it.”
How do you view queer culture?
“I would say, just being open, or also being afraid of being open as well. If you are open about it, you might go to Pride events that go on in major cities. Or those who live in a conservative style and are too afraid to say it [come out].”
Does UCCS have a prominent queer culture?
“I feel like it is very open, you can be who you are here. I don’t really see people trying to hide it. Here, people can be open about it.”
In your opinion, what’s the importance of having institutions on campus like MOSAIC that contributes in cultivating queer/LGBTQ culture?
“Having those groups on campus is very helpful because they have a place to go to. I definitely think that’s important to have, because people who are LGBTQ kind of feel like, sometimes, they are alone, and it’s kind of hard to get help because they are such a minority in society.”
Queer/LGBTQ culture in the U.S. is better than some countries but worse than others. How can that be improved, in your opinion?
“I know we promote it in our school. I think if you just show the struggle that they [the LGBTQ community] go through, people would naturally have a sense of sympathy for them. That could make them respect them even more. Just showing the bad things that they go through is very important just to get the message out there.”