What is GASP?
GASP (short for “Gay and Straight People”) is a student organization at PUC that functions as a support group for GLBT students, allowing them to talk openly about the issues they face and to receive guidance from others who are going through similar experiences. The club also invites heterosexual students who would like to become more familiar with the challenges faced by homosexuals to participate in discussion.
Why do we need GASP?
The negative stigma and silence regarding homosexuality here at PUC has ensured that many GLBT students choose to hide who they are out of fear of rejection. These students often live in a world in which many of the things that most people take for granted (the support of family, the fellowship of friends, the security of a loving community, and even the acceptance of God) are seen as dependent upon their silence. The chronic fear of reaching out to others often leads to loneliness, depression, anxiety, isolation, and thoughts of suicide. GASP aims to provide a supportive social network in which students can feel comfortable talking about these issues and working through their challenges together.
What are the goals of GASP?
GASP seeks to provide a social network for GLBT students, their families, and their friends that will achieve the following goals:
Support – GASP intend to establish a network through which GLBT students, as well as supportive friends and family members, can receive the support they need.
Fellowship – We hope to reduce the isolation felt by GLBT students through fellowship with others who are going through similar experiences.
Activism – We aim to further the well-being of GLBT students on campus by responding to ignorance, intolerance, and homophobia both at PUC and in our society.
What does GASP have to do with the Safe Place Program?
Both the Safe Place Program and GASP aim to fulfill the same goal: to bring support to GLBT students at PUC through open and honest discourse.
When does it meet?
GASP meets on Mondays every other week at 8:00pm in Davidian Hall 105. Meetings this quarter fall on April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18, and June 1.
Can I come even if I’m not a student?
Yes. Everyone is invited to attend GASP meetings.
Where can I find more information on GASP?
For more information on GASP, please visit our website, Facebook group, where you can find updates on meetings, events, activities, and issues as well as participate in the discussion board. You can also join the GASP mailing list by sending an email to pucsafeplace@gmail.com with the words “Join GASP Mailing List” in the subject line.
