๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฌ: ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐+ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Gordon College established its first LGBTQIA+ Student Organization named โMga Anak ng Yugtong Apo para sa Respeto at Inklusyon (MAYARI),โ in line with the celebration of Pride Month this June.
MAYARI aims to champion the rights and well-being of LGBTQIA+ students within the college and beyond.
Furthermore, Mr. Marko Aratea, organization adviser of MAYARI, confirmed that the organization has developed rapidly and has profound objectives.
“We, at MAYARI, are currently in the process of becoming a formally recognized civic organization at Gordon College, but we will get there very soon!” Mr. Aratea stated.
Moreover, MAYARI was formed with both students and the Office of Student Welfare and Services (OSWS) in mind as a dedicated community for LGBTQIA+ students and their allies. Both Mr. Aratea and co-adviser Mr. Christian Loid Valenzuela started as the founding members who led the creation of the constitution, set clear objectives, and met institutional standards.
The central aim of MAYARI is to establish a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ students. Mr. Aratea outlined the organization’s primary objectives: “MAYARI aims to provide a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ students and allies in our humble institution. Our main goals are to promote visibility, inclusivity, respect, empowerment, and solidarity.”
MAYARI intends to accomplish these objectives through education by providing LGBTQIA+ seminars, webinars, gender sensitivity programs, and opportunities for creativity and leadership.
Furthermore, one of the important goals of MAYARI is to handle issues affecting LGBTQIA+ individuals, mainly discrimination, mental health challenges, and lack of community understanding.
“MAYARI is a civic organization for LGBTQIA+ and allies in GC, also serving as a platform to address catalysts related to gender-based concerns through formal dialogues programs and activities that will equip relevant stakeholders regarding said concerns and practical solutions,” MAYARIโs adviser affirmed.
Meanwhile, the organization will implement peer support initiatives, explore partnerships with the college’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office, and launch extensive awareness campaigns on SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics).
Looking beyond symbolic gestures, MAYARI envisions a future where “total acceptance” is deeply ingrained in the institution’s policies and culture.
“Total acceptance means more than symbolic gesturesโit involves policy and culture change,” Mr. Aratea emphasized and further discussed that the organization aims to integrate inclusivity into the college’s systemic operations rather than limiting it to mere statements.
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: Princess Alliyah Danday | News Correspondent
: Angelique Jose | Head of Visual Arts
