Gay Bisexuals Lesbians and Friends will set up a booth Feb. 20 in the Colvard Student Union to increase membership by making themselves known and informing other students on campus about the organization. GBLF President Edward Lance said they are going to have pizza and drinks the night of Feb. 20. At this time, the officers will convey each of their responsibilities so interested members will know exactly how the GBLF functions.
The GBLF was formed in the mid-80s and currently has 30 paid members.
This organization is active with service projects around the community along with hosting speakers and social events.
Lance said, “We are currently involved with Adopt-a-Highway and are looking for a spring service project.”
The group hosts social events such as movie nights, parties and also reserves monthly speakers.
“We had two speakers last month and will have two this month,” Lance said. “This month is lesbian issues month, so the speakers will be addressing this.”
The main function of the group is support. Lance said their constitution encourages the promotion of gay, bisexual and lesbian issues among the community, campus, and state.
The GBLF stresses “support for each other,” Lance said. “We work together on issues and other things.”
“We sponsor membership events and Coming Out Day,” Lance said. “We went to a conference called the Mississippi Gay Summit with similar organizations from Ole Miss and Southern.”
When asked why he joined Lance said, “I’m a strong activist. I wanted to see things done. With MSU being the large campus that it is, an organization from here would have a strong pull.”
His advice to considering new members: “Don’t be afraid of the organization. We don’t out people.”
Lance hopes that the meeting will “knock stereotypes down.”
He welcomes and encourages anyone to come: gay, bisexual, lesbian and friends.
“Anyone can be a member,” Lance said. “We pretty much have every letter of the alphabet there.