GONZALEZ PORRAS/FIGUEROA-FLORES

73% (C)

We applaud and appreciate their outspoken support of and willingness to educate themselves on the LGBTQ+ community through their work as leaders on this campus and beyond. However, they seemed proud of their lack of knowledge of GUSA functionality, and we worry that they will have trouble making actual changes to help the LGBTQ+ community.

Gonzalez Porras/Figueroa-Flores: Services

ARISAID GONZALEZ PORRAS

Presidential Candidate

"Fantastic history of advocacy for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities. Has actively done the necessary work to educate herself on queer issues and resources on campus. However, her policies for the queer community are unrealistic and show a lack of understanding of the limitations of GUSA Executives. However, her questionable policies may be benefited by her plan to include queer voices in her advocacy work as President."

Gonzalez Porras/Figueroa-Flores: Bio

FEATURED RESPONSES

"There is difficulty in finding a sense of safety, belonging, and community within Georgetown.While the LGBTQ center and clubs such as GU Pride and QPOC provide community for some students, it does not always guarantee safety in classrooms, dorms, events, bathrooms, etc. Some of the causes are due to lack of acknowledgement by the university and the lack of resources. For example, it took pressure from LGBTQ [IA+] advocacy groups for the university to designate 40 single-stall, gender-neutral bathrooms in public buildings throughout campus. Even then, there are still issues concerning accessibility."

"On October 8th, U.S. Supreme Court heard cases on whether employers can legally fire LGBTQ+ people based on their sexuality or transgender identity. Another issue that is often not taken into consideration is the increase of LGBTQIA+ migrants in concentration camps and at the border. Transgender individuals are most likely to experience violence and none of it is being covered by media. Similarly, transgender Black women and the violence they face through hate crimes and police brutality rarely appears on the media. This only covers the surface."

"To be completely transparent, I do not know exactly how GUSA functions and how policies are passed. However, [we] hope to bring more visibility to the LGBTQIA+ community through wide campus events like a Queer Karoke night or/and Dragstravaganza. Of course to make this happen, we want to collaborate with GU Pride, QPOC, and the LGBTQ center."

"I was thinking about why not creating a whole house on Magis Row for the LGBTQIA+ community. I know there is the Crossroads LLC, but I was also thinking there could be a whole house on Magic Row-- ultimately making it a permanent home! This would serve as an additional space for LGBTQIA+ students, because well, they deserve it. Although this won’t be an easy task, this is where we mobilize, organize, and unite in solidarity with other organizations outside the LGBTQIA+ community to make this happen."

Gonzalez Porras/Figueroa-Flores: Skills

ANAHI FIGUEROA-FLORES

Vice Presidential Candidate

Also has a fantastic history of advocacy for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities, as well as good knowledge about challenges for queer Hoyas and resources available to them. However, her policies identified issues but did not provide concrete solutions. Relies too much on future help from queer students.

Gonzalez Porras/Figueroa-Flores: Bio

FEATURED RESPONSES

"CAPS lacks in providing staff clinicians that are aware of the issues and struggles LGBTQIA+ students are facing. They lack to provide efficient care for students, and even more for students of color who also identify within the LGBTQIA+ community. One of the root causes of this is the lack of institutional support and resources. Georgetown as an institution does not advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, other than just providing surface level support with no direct actions to create change and help students directly."

"Regarding adoption and same-sex couples, although they are allowed to legally adopt in all 50 states, same-sex couples that hope to adopt still face stigma and not all adoption professionals are same-sex adoption friendly. There have also been alarming nationwide statistics regarding the disproportionate number of trans POC that are being killed and not receiving national coverage. Trans people are also more likely to face violence in prisons, and also homeless shelters. This stems from institutions not implementing or removing trans-inclusive nondiscrimination policies."

"While I’m not sure how policy works in GUSA, I will make sure to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices. This is where [we] would learn the ropes of GUSA to make sure that we are advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community. If elected, we will create a LGBTQIA+ policy team because it is important to me that we are actively listening to their ideas and concerns, as well as creating these spaces."

"We would like to create a more efficient process for students’ housing requests. [We] would like to evaluate all the resources that are provided to expand and improve them. From reading several articles from the Hoya, there is still so much work to be done. It is important that I directly hear and listen in order to help and impact the LGBTQIA+ community."

Gonzalez Porras/Figueroa-Flores: Skills