Bound together by a sense of discrimination and a desire for empowerment, the Queer Student Alliance and Women’s Resource Center are sharing space on campus.

An informal agreement between the two groups has resulted in a place that gay and lesbian students have become comfortable gathering and hold meetings each Wednesday afternoon in the library.

The WRC, located in the Reserve Book Room of the library, is looking to expand their resources to include assistance for gay and lesbian students, or “queers” on campus, a term WRC coordinator Pat Grady says has been reclaimed by gays and lesbians.

Grady says establishing a “queer” center has received some interest from President Donald Gerth, but efforts have been slowed due to Associate Student Inc. budget cutbacks to the Women’s Resource Center.

Xochitl Lopez, a first year student-assistant in the Women’s Resource Center, notes that “queers” have felt threatened since the beginning of the year when several fliers were placed on kiosks that were deemed by the WRC as being anti-gay.

“It featured the words stop homosexuality on it. It bothered me that this feeling still exists on campus,” said Lopez.

Students interested in a Gay and Lesbian Center are urged to contact the WRC for further information.

The WRC is also offering all students consultation on sexual harassment and assault along with self-defense classes free of charge. Studies show that 1 in 5 women will be the victims of a sexual assault in their college careers and 1 in 6 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes.

Lopez admits to feeling unsafe when walking around campus, particularly at night due to the lack of security and adequate lighting.

“They don’t make me feel safe,” Lopez said.

Night student Debra Cribbins echoes the sentiment shared by Lopez.

“The majority of the time I walk with someone else,” Cribbins said. “The lighting could be improved.”

In addition to these plans, the Center is participating in the Women Take Back the Night march on Saturday Oct. 5.

“It’s a night that’s meant to empower women,” Lopez said, “Women and children march and take over the street.”

Lopez said the night will also include music and poetry on the stairs of the State capitol.

Students looking to join the “Take Back the Night” march, seeking counseling, self-defense training or wanting information about forcible sex crimes should contact the WRC at 278-7388.