San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

Big Gay Barbecue is a hit

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Student Union celebrated its second biannual Big Gay Barbecue with the theme “We are the 10 percent.” The LGBTSU offered free food, presented a talent show and finalized its affair with a dance.

“We’re occupying Scripps Cottage,” LGBTSU president Marina Butler said. “It’s an anti-hate, pro-love type of occupying.”

The barbecues have been a tradition of LGBTSU for the past 10 years, according to sexual-acceptance-based sorority Gamma Rho Lambda member Shae Pesek. Started by San Diego State alumnus Ben Cartwright, it used to be complemented by a drag show.

“They changed it because they wanted to have more student activity in Big Gay barbecue,” Pesek said.

According to Butler, the talent shows in past years have had more participation. This semester saw three performers — a dance routine, a guitarist and a poet.

Several booths offered their resources to the event’s attendees. San Diego Pride, Safe Zones and the queer-friendly Greek houses Gamma Rho Lambda and Delta Lambda Phi tabled in order to reach out to students.

Safe Zones at SDSU works to ensure a campus atmosphere that is welcoming, informative and safe for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex and allies. The organization provided numerous pamphlets at the event.

“I hope people approach the booths,” University of California San Diego communications sophomore Anderson Yu said. “I go to UCSD and we don’t have something like this so I think it’s very important to have an LGBT campus presence.”

The barbecue’s theme “We are the 10 percent” is a play on the Occupy movement and it is based on the research that claims 10 percent of people are gay or lesbian, according to Butler.

San Diego Pride took the opportunity to recruit volunteers for the upcoming local Pride Parade as well as for other LGBT-related events they will organize or participate in.

“The LGBTQIAP — all the rest of the alphabet — is so diverse. I feel like the barbecues are a really cool chance for people from different majors, races and ethnicities and religions to come together and be together for one common purpose, which is love and acceptance,” Butler said.

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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
Big Gay Barbecue is a hit