For students of color to properly gain access to and thrive in higher educational institutions, they must be able to form and maintain a sense of community on campus. This is especially important for students of color attending predominantly white institutions. I have built a support system of people who identify in the same ways. Through the Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color Agency (QTBIPOCA) at the University of Texas at Austin, I have surrounded myself with individuals who understand my existence. QTBIPOCA has offered me a sense of belonging and educated me on navigating systems that were not created with people like me in mind.
Every year, the organization hosts its Queer Trans Leadership Institute (QTLI), providing queer students of color with a space to be educated on critical issues. Throughout the six-week session, QTBIPOC students meet weekly to discuss various topics. One week, students learn how to navigate the workplace, crafting compelling resumes and building strong LinkedIn profiles. Another week, the focus is on accessing adequate health care as queer people of color, featuring organizations like LifeWorks and Kind Clinic, which provide free STI testing and contraceptives. By the end of the six weeks, students have learned how to advocate for themselves and others safely and have gained valuable tools to jumpstart their careers.
I remember attending my first QTLI during my sophomore year of college after a particularly rough first year. I instantly felt a sense of relief—it was as if I could breathe for the first time since arriving at UT. That year, the first topic was Queer Art, and during a discussion section, QTLI attendees had the opportunity to share their thoughts. The feeling of raising my hand and openly expressing my ideas in a room full of peers was entirely new to me. I was so used to feeling a tangled knot of anxiety in my stomach whenever I had to speak in class, terrified that I would say something only to be misunderstood or invalidated. But I felt none of that anxiety in that room (formerly known as the Multicultural Engagement Center before SB17). I spoke, and people listened, understood, and resonated with what I was saying.
As a senior, I am unafraid to speak up and advocate for my ideas in class. Of course, the demographics on campus haven’t drastically changed since my sophomore year—more often than not, I am still the only person of color in my classes. But now, I know that my experiences and perspectives are valid. I am eternally grateful to organizations like QTBIPOCA that continue to persist despite the challenges they face. I firmly believe that students of color greatly benefit from having access to identity-based spaces, and I will continue to support and advocate for their presence on college campuses.