Alliance kicked off its annual GAYLA week with a performance by singer/songwriter Chris Dallman last week.

Alliance also sponsored its third annual drag show Saturday. The show included students, staff and professional performers. Loras’s Gay-Straight Alliance visited campus to compete against Wartburg’s Alliance during the show.    

Alliance plans GAYLA week each year to help create awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Transsexual (LGBT) issues.  The events are an opportunity for people to educate themselves.

“We’re trying to educate people about the truth. So much of what people believe is false,” Matthew Ollendick, president of Alliance, said.

Alliance presented LGBT History Night Monday night, and the final event of GAYLA week was a movie night Tuesday. The movie “Poster Boy” was shown. 

Alliance recently became recognized as a “Reconciling in Christ” organization. They are on a national roster of organizations, congregations and synods that have adopted affirmations of welcoming gay and lesbian people.

About one out of every 18 Wartburg students is a member of Alliance. The students work to educate the community and encourage discussion on sexuality issues and offer support for students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Ollendick said Alliance has received support from the Wartburg community, but the group does have their signs torn down occasionally.