by Rafael Dedios // Staff Writer
The Carson High LGBT Club has recently welcomed their first guest speaker, Mariel Fiedler from the Long Beach LGBT Center! She attended the club’s meeting on April 6, to discuss the ideas on how to make the club grow and how to contact the Long Beach LGBT Center.
Club advisor Ms. Schaefer said, “I am glad that we have had our first guest speaker to help guide and give advice to LGBT kids in our club who don’t feel comfortable with themselves.”
During the meeting Mariel introduced herself and had everyone say their names, what pronouns they go by, and what color they were feeling that day. She also informed kids on the important topics on what to do in terms of coming out, who to talk to when they are confused with their sexuality, and encouraged students to be vocal on their self identity in the political climate that America is in today.
Mariel stated, “I originally lived in New York back when I went to high school [2009], and it wasn’t cool to be vocal and out. Now as an adult working in the Long Beach LGBTQ Center, I learned so much about the whole gender spectrum and I wanted to teach it to others.”
Members of the club discussed how they felt with the general population of Carson High students’ attitude towards other LGBT students being open with their sexuality and self-identity. They also discussed their upcoming ideas of fundraisers that would be enjoyable as well as educating students on the different spectrums of LGBT culture by having pep rallies, historical dances, and music.
CHS senior co-president Jyla Yu stated, “It is very acceptable to be out and able to hold hands with another girl, and not being judged. I feel Carson High is a good school to be out, especially in the year of 2018.”
The LGBT Club plans on having more guest speakers in the near future. They will also be having an upcoming mural in the front of the school to help publicize the LGBT community in Carson High. If you or a loved one needs someone to talk to with their self-identity, you can contact the Long Beach LGBTQ Center at (562) 434-4455. For all students interested in joining the LGBT club, meetings are every Tuesday during lunch at Ms. Schaefer’s room in C30.