By LYDIA EARHART

Staff Writer

Tech's Gay-Straight Alliance is still fighting for social acceptance on the campus and in the community.

"The purpose of the GSA is to provide a safe space for students to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and to work to increase awareness," Logan Hainley, the president of the GSA and a freshman architecture major, said.

"Our mission is to create a supportive environment for all students by building communication and ending isolation."

Hainley said the group is just as diverse as any other organization at Tech.

Jenna Steward, the secretary for the GSA and a freshman history major, said she joined the group to support her gay friends.

She also said this organization provides a liberal organization on this conservative campus.

"A place like this is needed in Ruston, to provide a safe place where people can support each other no matter what their sexual orientation," Steward said.

"It is too bad it took so long to get this organization started," Steward said. "The time is right [for this group] and the people are right, and now it is happening."

Steward said the people and the GSA are very welcoming.

"[The GSA] has a great mix of people," Steward said.

Steward said the group is not just serious, they have fun too.

James Townsend, a graduate student of counseling and advising, said he never feels uncomfortable at the GSA.

"I don't have a tolerance for bigotry," Townsend said. "A number of my friends are gay, and I am doing what I can to support their lifestyle."

Townsend said the organization has a positive atmosphere.

"I can use the organization to work on issues like discrimination and prejudice through the group," Townsend said. "[The GSA] can help make the environment more tolerant."

The organization held its first social event of the year April 20 in the Planetarium.

The GSA posted signs around campus for their meeting and in less than 45 minutes only a few remained.

"What is the problem with a flier?" Hainley said. "The administration is behind our organization."

Hainley said the housing department and the Student Government Association approved the signs before they were posted.

"Instead of ripping down the signs, come and see what it is all about," Hainley said.

Townsend said the people who took down the signs influenced them.

"By ripping down the signs they told us they have noticed that we are here and that is a positive thing," Townsend said.