Ricky Carter, the incoming president of Pride Student Union at UF, classifies himself as a “gender-queer, gay, drag queen.”
Bridget Siegel, the vice president of outreach for PSU, describes herself as non-heterosexual; she is still figuring out her sexual identity.
Both students, although at different steps in their self-identification, feel the same about one issue: A gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender museum is a positive step for the LGBT community from Gainesville to San Francisco.
The Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society opened The GLBT History Museum on Jan. 13 in San Francisco. This is the first museum in the United States, and only the second in the world, dedicated to educating the community on LGBT history, according to a media release.
Students do not need to travel all the way to San Francisco to learn about LGBT culture, according to A.C. Stokes, director of LGBT Affairs at UF.
In addition to a library, UF has films and offers other events for students to learn about LGBT culture. The school provides the extra information students need, Stokes said.
Siegel said she feels the new museum accomplishes a goal that PSU holds dear.
“One thing we focus on is the ability to have a voice,” she said. “This museum will give a voice for the people who couldn’t speak.”
