Student Takeover Blog by Trix Welch, Library Student Ambassador
"I love, love, love queer artwork and seeing the queer experience through that artwork, and I'm happy to be able to contribute to that!" - Blair
Queers United, and the University Libraries' Student Ambassador Team, collaborated to create an exhibition that focuses on LGBTQ+ student life at Cal State East Bay.This exhibition showcases students' art, written works, and a collection of zines created by Queers United members. The works will become a part of the University Archives, for future students to look back on and see a history of themselves at our school.
Queers United was founded in Fall of 2022 by Rin Anderson and Dej Summerville, to help connect on-campus LGBTQ+ students and form a stronger community with one another. I of course immediately jumped at the opportunity to join this new club, and have had the chance to see it grow over the past school year. As Rin states, it was a highly needed outlet for students. When speaking on their experience as a queer student at Cal State East Bay, Rin states, "There's not as much support as I'd like– but there are pockets of support... [but] they are too hard to find and everyone should know about it."
"...I want to explore my Queerness and what that means, so I have been really fortunate to have found a community like that." - Lex P.
Lex Peck is a second year student majoring in communications with a minor in biological sciences, and submitted her poem Expectations for the exhibit. When asked about her experience with Queers United, Lex says, "joining QU has been a really fulfilling experience as I have met a lot of individuals that I feel I can learn a lot from. I want to explore my Queerness and what that means, so I have been really fortunate to have found a community like that."
"I felt drawing something for it would allow myself to mentally validate my new identity." - Erlinda
The exhibition features not only work from Queers United, but students from all different communities at Cal State East Bay. Students voiced that they submitted their work for a variety of reasons. Erlinda, who is a third year graphic design student, says, "I happened to come to terms with being aromantic and asexual right around the same time the exhibit was accepting submissions. Not only was the timing convenient, but I felt drawing something for it would allow myself to mentally validate my new identity." Blair, a second year majoring in fine arts, also includes, "I love, love, love queer artwork and seeing the queer experience through that artwork, and I'm happy to be able to contribute to that!"
You can look through the artwork submissions under the Cultural Awareness Month Subject Guide, under the LGBTQ+ Awareness Month Section. Also check out Queers United's Instagram and BaySync page to stay up-to-date on their upcoming events!
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