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Most people follow a prescribed outlook on life. However, University of North Georgia (Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û) student Erin Weimer is not most people. As Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) president, Weimer aspires to make her community a safe space for all.

"GSA has honestly been such a large part of making my college experience a positive one here at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û," Weimer said. "I have made long-lasting friendships, gained invaluable leadership experience and learned more about the community I am a part of. It truly is a space where I feel safe being myself, and I know others feel similarly."

The organization was created to serve as an inclusive place on campus for students to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and experiences.

Weimer describes herself as a thoughtful leader who strives to always lead in the best interest of the club. In her current role, Weimer is in charge of delegating a number of different tasks, presiding over meetings, ensuring the organization's values are upheld, as well as serving as an overall role model. She has served on the GSA executive board for the last three years with the roles of treasurer, secretary and event coordinator.

"Each time I set foot into Multicultural Student Affairs, I realize how lucky I am to be a part of such a great community of people here at Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û. We all strive to make Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û a place where students feel safe and welcomed, as I know they have made me feel," she said.

Under her leadership, GSA hosted a 2022 LGBTQ+ Art Exhibition in the fall. It was the second time the organization hosted the event, opening it to all students.

There were 17 entries to the exhibition, with both physical and digital submissions. The Allendale, New Jersey, native even submitted a piece as a fellow queer artist, finding the experience not only exciting to participate in, but eye-opening. Having led in the creation of the art exhibition from start to finish, Weimer hopes this becomes an annual event for students to participate in and enjoy for years to come.

Weimer is pursuing a degree in art with a concentration in graphic design on Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's Dahlonega Campus. She expects to graduate in fall 2023 and use her degree to work for an LGBTQ+ organization's platform to educate others about the community."

Since coming to Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û, I have learned that I am capable of much more than I ever thought I was capable of," Weimer said. "There is a leader in me and a voice that I have found over my time here that I hope to be able to use and continue to educate more people with post-graduation."