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Mozaic: for Queer and Questioning Students
Students in partnership with Trinity Western University’s Wellness Centre have plans to start a support group for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, or questioning) students. The main focus of the group is to create a safe, confidential environment where students can openly discuss and ask questions about gender, sexual attraction/orientation, social pressure, and the formation of one’s primary identity.
“My sexual orientation is something I’ve questioned for years,” said Jason Brandl, who is a fifth year communications student. “Knowing others on campus are experiencing the same questions, I realized I was being apathetic by not doing anything about it. So I decided to see if we could create a venue for dialogue, education and support.”
Brandl met with Student Life who, according to him, was surprisingly receptive to the idea and together they formed Mozaic: for Queer and Questioning Students.
Queer, Brandl points out, is an all encompassing term referring to anything that is sexually non-heteronormative. “It’s a term that the LGBTQ community is reclaiming” he adds. “It’s important for students on campus, especially a Christian campus, to think about their words and the impact they can have on others.”
First year student, Bryan Sandberg, has also come forward to assist in the formation of Mozaic. Sandberg, who recently came out to his dorm, shared, “I feel a responsibility to help other people” who may feel that this topic cannot be discussed on campus. Sandberg assures students that “the group is not intended to be confrontational, but to be educational and supportive. It’s not something to be afraid of. The purpose is to help.”
For those interested in joining Mozaic, which aims to be a non-partisan group focusing more on facilitating dialogue, a welcome letter further explaining the purpose of the group can be found at www.mozaictwu.weebly.com.
“In order to ensure that participant’s expectations are consistent with the goals and objectives of the group, all students must complete the confidential online intake form explaining what they are hoping to contribute and receive from the group,” noted Kurt Lundberg, Director of TWU’s Wellness Centre. The completed intake forms will be forwarded to Lundberg.
Lundberg further explains, “all personal information will be held in strict confidence and students will only be contacted to provide them with information regarding the time and location of the group meetings.”
The most important thing according to Brandl is that students know, “you’re not alone. No matter your struggle, you are not alone.”
Mozaic’s first meeting will be the week after reading break. For further information, contact Kurt Lundberg. at<a href=”mailto: lundberg@twu.ca”>lundberg@twu.ca</a>
This is excellent! As a gay TWU alumnus, I would have really benefited from a group like this when I was on campus. Good for you for starting this, and good for TWU for being so receptive to the idea.
I could hardly believe my eyes when i’d read the news. Finally! It’s an idea that is long overdue…by about ten years or so. Nonetheless, better late than never. I’m also one of the dozens who could have used such a support group. For those of us back then, balancing academic studies and struggling with issues of sexual identity was nothing short of torment and anguish.Still , we bore our crosses silently. I pray and hope that this generation of gay students don’t have to. Christ redeemed each–irregardless of sexual orientation. Jesus said, “if you have done it unto the least of these, you’ve done it unto me.”