Coming from the southern tourist town of Myrtle Beach, I did not have the highest expectations for friendliness towards the LGBTQ+ community when I started college. I expected to be scared and closeted like I was in high school, but I was blown away when I looked into Winthrop and saw they had a LGBTQ+ club. I never thought I would be able to join a club like that at any college, let alone end up become the Vice President of one.
Before coming to Winthrop, I was planning on starting my transition when beginning school, thinking of it as a fresh start, which worked out pretty well. GLoBAL helped me feel more comfortable and confident being myself—being male. I found some of my best friends here, and was able to grow in ways I didn’t think were possible for me in Myrtle Beach.
In high school, I struggled with keeping my gender identity at bay, because I knew it would not be safe. I had a transmasculine friend who was constantly harassed and had to use the bathroom in the nurse’s office on the first floor. I was rightfully fearful. It is a decent town, don’t get me wrong, but over the summer I was the victim of a (nonviolent) hate crime, so I definitely prefer the safe space Winthrop has to offer.
I have only had one problem so far using the bathroom at school as a male, and the one I had was more of a misunderstanding than anything malicious, so I would definitely say that my experience has been a positive one.
Of course, there will always be people who do not understand, and I have had my fair share of experiences with that, but for the most part, I have been successful. Professors are always happy to change my name in their rosters and use the right pronouns, even if they mix it up a few times at first, which I understand completely. I can present the way I see fit without being stared at. I also feel safe holding my boyfriend’s hand when walking around campus, and that is very important to me. [which removed] I can’t say the same about walking around Rock Hill as a whole.
To any LGBTQ+ freshman coming, I want you to know that Winthrop is a safe place for you to be. I see LGBTQ+ couples holding hands on Scholar’s Walk all the time, no one will question you in the bathrooms. and Resident Life will try their hardest to accommodate trans students, which is also very important to me (I have the best roommates in the world).
GLoBAL plays a huge role in making Winthrop a safe place for LGBTQ+ students, and I’m not just saying that because I’m vice president. I’m vice president because I want to make Winthrop as inviting to LGBTQ+ people as possible, through education and inclusion. I want everyone to feel safe and loved and included on campus.
If you ever need a safe place to stay, to feel welcomed for who you are or to feel welcome for who you love, GLoBAL and Winthrop’s campus as a whole is the place to be, and I welcome you.