By Luke Araujo | Staff Writer
After being officially chartered by Baylor in April, Prism is setting up its plans for the fall semester.
Prism, an LGBTQ+ and allies student organization, is focusing its efforts on “continuous learning for the Baylor community, giving voice for LGBTQ+ students to the administration and creating opportunities for all students to access resources through connection, belonging and education.”
Heber Springs, Ark., senior and Prism president Lor Duncan said that with Prism functioning as an official student organization, it has entered the stage of planning meetings and activities.
“We plan to have weekly meetings based on things the community wants to do or learn about,” Duncan said. “Our focus is creating community and a space to learn and grow together, and we want our meetings to reflect that.”
Duncan said Prism also hopes to host a formal and other social events during the school year. It also plans to hold recruitment events in the future.
Bryant, Ark., sophomore William Alverio said Prism would like to have larger, more open meetings monthly.
“We have discussed that there will be a meeting time that is frequent and available to members, with some meetings being open to non-members as well,” Alverio said. “One of our biggest priorities is that we want to protect people’s privacy, because there might be students who are not comfortable with their sexuality, gender identity or religious affiliation yet. We want to make sure to protect them from being outed or being scolded by the public.”
At meetings, Alverio said Prism will cover topics like advocacy resources and will open avenues for queer people, gender non-conforming people or people of different faiths to talk to others who share their experiences. Additionally, Prism will be speaking with contacts outside of Baylor — including alumni who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community — to form a network of advocacy resources.
“We are going to have resources and support systems publicly stated where people can easily find it on our social media,” Alverio said. “We are also planning to have a Baylor-affiliated website with health resources and things like that. It is about getting those resources collected and getting the word out.”
As the semester approaches, Alverio said Prism asks for patience from those in the student and faculty population who are interested in being a part of and supporting Prism.
“We are working diligently to get Prism up and running,” Alverio said. “We will definitely be solidified and ready to go for this fall semester.”
