Ángela's Website

If I shout in a void, who knows who is listening?

LGBTQ in Spokane WA

Often when I encounter LGBTQ people it’s in a setting where they are my peers. I really don’t have very many opportunities to hear stories from people outside of my bubble. My view of LGBTQ people is pretty limited. I have lived in a progressive college town and then I moved to a progressive college campus. I usually only see the best that the community has to offer.

 

Students with pride flags at anti-West Buro Baptist Church protest

Gonzaga has definitely proven to me that LGBTQ students should feel safe on campus. When a large part of the school rallied against the West Buro Baptist Church I was blown away by the number of people who wanted to take time in their day to tell just 5 or so hateful people that they were not welcome here. Along with that, it’s been very clear to me that if anyone needs anything there are many departments that would be willing to assist students to achieve their max.

While I have seen first hand what Gonzaga is willing to do to protect students, Spokane was not always a welcoming place. Human Rights Commissioner Lance Kissler was kind enough to make room in his busy schedule of part-time volunteer commissioner and his full-time job, to talk to me at Atticus Coffee. I must have looked like a cookie-cutter college student with my red scooter leaning against the table and my glowing Mac sitting on top of it.

When we finally both had our coffees were able to start talking. Kissler was able to speak to how Spokane has become more welcoming as a city to LGBTQ people. He talked about how when he came out, he did not feel comfortable but even just over a few years he has seen Spokane grow up and better care for the needs of minority populations here.

 
Working as an activist, he has been able to help change public perceptions of LGBTQ to prove that they are just regular people. Kissler was working on a project that would connect Gonzaga students to the larger community through a panel and while those plans fell through, there is still a want to connect students to the community.

Coming from outside of the LGBTQ community and only living in liberal areas, I tend to forget that some people do not have it as easy as myself. Hearing that it was hard for someone to come out was another reminder for me that some people have to struggle to find their identity and be accepted. I need those reminders or else I’ll forget. I’ll return to my blissful bubble and forget about the history and struggle that other people are overcoming. I think in Spokane, LGBTQ are finding it easier and easier to do what they want regardless of what the political agenda says. Mostly, LGBTQ people just want to be a normal part of the Spokane community and feel comfortable being themselves. From what I can tell, the city is only getting better about it and as the community continues to connect with each other and build better resources for the next generation, Spokane will only become a more welcoming place to live.