Photo by Brice McGowen The new Co-Chairs of the GLBT-SATommy Rimbach and Pooja Gupta.

While the United States elects a new commander-and-chief every four years, for UNC-CH's GLBT-SA, each new year signifies a shift in leadership and direction. Although the GLBT-SA leaders won't have to worry about national security or finding innovative ways to fund war overseas, they still have an important job on their hands. LAMBDA interviewed the two new Co-Chairs of the GLBT-SA: first-year biology major, Pooja Gupta, and junior public policy major, Tommy Rimbach, both of whom are from, as Tommy says, "the Containment Area for Relocated Yankees (Cary), NC."

Prior to your decision to run for Co-Chair, what have you done within the GLBT-SA?

Pooja Gupta: This semester I am serving as secretary for the GLBT-SA. In the Fall, I got involved with the Coming Out Week committee, the Fall Ball planning committee, and briefly with the finance committee. In the spring, I put my energy into the Ally Week committee and then the Queer Bash committee for the Unity Conference. Also this spring, I was involved with the newly evolving QPAC, with a place on the executive board until just recently.

Tommy Rimbach: Former treasurer, Unity Conference board member, and LAMBDA staff writer.

Did you have any fears or uncertainties about serving as co-chair in an organization like GLBT-SA?

PG: Of course I had fears and uncertainties! Will I be able to get done everything I want to get done? Will I burn myself out trying to do everything? Will Tommy and I get along as well as we have so far? Tommy and I really will get along, I'm sure. I'm not completely sure of myself, like a mother is uncertain about the future of her child. I don't and can't know the future, so I've just got to put my energy and passion into everything I do and just go for it!

TR: I sometimes fear that my voice will not adequately reflect the diversity of voices and experiences found among GLBT-SA members, allies and other supporters, especially because there are letters in GLBT-SA that are too often ignored, like Bisexual, Transgender and Straight, that I hope we can work towards being more cognizant of.

What is one great thing, in your opinion, about GLBT-SA that the UNC-CH student body should be aware of?

PG: Anyone can make a difference in the GLBT-SA. Our board meetings are open to anyone and anyone can come interject their opinion into our conversation. Committees plan our weeks and events and being on a committee means that anyone can take an event they want to see happen and run with it.

Photo by Brice McGowen

TR: Allies of the LGBTIQ community can help to enact major changes not only in the University community but in all aspects of our lives to make the world a better place for sexual and gender minorities. It's very easy to gain knowledge and education about LGBTIQ issues and then work as an advocate in promoting a safe campus and community for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students, faculty and staff at various grassroots levels, from signing petitions and wearing "ally" buttons and helping to plan GLBT-SA events, to confronting a suitemate who says, "That's so gay" derogatively.

What is one thing you feel should change within/regarding the GLBT-SA?

PG: It's become obvious that there are many communities in the GLBT-SA that do not feel consistently included. More than anything, I want the GLBT-SA to be a safe place for everyone. I want people to connect on a deeper level, which takes more than fabulous dances and parties.

TR: I would amend our constitution so that board positions which are designated as "co-positions" are fulfilled by differently gendered persons, so as to better ensure that the board reflects the gender diversity of our members. I would like to see an organization that, while working to dismantle heterosexual privilege and heteronormativity, also works to dismantle male privilege, because oppression of women, minorities and other non-male genders and oppression of the LGBTIQ community are all closely linked.

For those who do not come to GLBT-SA meetings or have no idea what the group is all about, what is your message to them?

PG: Like I said earlier, anyone can make a difference in the LGBTIQ and Ally communities! If you have an idea or you want a place where your sexuality will be accepted no matter what, come and tell us what's important to you!

TR: We are an eclectic group of friendly individuals that the words in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender -- Straight Alliance do not necessarily signify. Our greatest asset is our diversity, not just in terms of laundry list markers of identity, but in ideas, experiences, families and communities. There is a safe space for EVERYONE -- of all religions, sexualities, genders, ethnicities and races, because queerness -- and straightness -- transcends any and all lines of identity.

It's time for a confession! Something about you that others may not know?

PG: I once wrote a poem about Game Theory, it goes like this:

Nickels, Quarters, Dimes
Nickels, Quarters, Dimes
I'll choose where and
You choose the line
We'll find an equilibrium
Nash's point or not
I'll meet you at the stable point
'Cause you're so damn hot

TR: I am insanely obsessed with the busses that run between the Chinatowns in New York City and Boston for just $10. So I guess the secret's out, but be wary of the Chinese mafia and the sketchy curbside pickups and any charter buses that are unmarked. I am also an NPR junkie.