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A Straight Up Ally

Alyssa Palmer served as the ’17-18 president of Identity/Photo courtesy of Alyssa Palmer

By KAYLA DEMICCO
Staff Writer

Every student has an identity, the accepting and understanding of which has been a major focus for one particular graduating student.

For the past year Alyssa Palmer has served as the president for Identity, the Saint Rose club which promotes awareness, tolerance, and understanding of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This involves providing a safe space for students who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies on campus.

As a sophomore, Palmer knew she wanted to make a change within the community, especially wanting to get rid of the stereotype that Identity is just “the gay club.” As an ally, Palmer did not want to lose sight of this aspect of the LGBTQ+ community.

“We are Identity,” she said. “I want Identity to be known in a positive way.”

Originally from Sherborne, New York, Palmer will walk across the stage at commencement to receive her bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and Special Education and a master’s degree in Literacy.

Upon attending an open house at the College before beginning her freshman year, Palmer was greeted by people opening doors for her and her mother when they arrived at the Thelma P. Lally School of Education building. This warm welcome made Palmer want to make Saint Rose her home for the next four years, plus one and a half years for graduate school.

“It felt like I was getting a big hug,” said Palmer beaming as she recalled her open house experience. From this moment, she knew that Saint Rose was going to be a place where she felt comfortable, a place where she could be herself and grow as a person.

Palmer has been involved with Identity since her freshman year when she was introduced to the club through a friend in her Introduction to Clowning class. Even though she identifies as straight, after her first meeting with the club, she fell in love and wanted to learn more about the community.

When Palmer showed interest in Identity, Mykha’el Wilson, current vice president of Identity, said he was “delighted that a straight woman thought that our community was worth love, activism and support.”

Palmer became increasingly involved with Identity during her years at Saint Rose. Her junior year marked the beginning of her time on the E-Board, first serving as the club’s public relations officer. In her senior year, she was promoted to vice president, then when she reached her graduate level, she became president.

Palmer’s promotion from public relations officer to president of Identity inspired Shannon Crotty, Identity’s current public relations officer and president for the academic year, to try to work her way up the e-board.

“If [Palmer] can do it, then so can I,” she said.

One of Crotty’s favorite qualities about Palmer is the fact that she “makes people feel like they’re at home now matter what their background or history is.”

In 2017, Palmer received the Outstanding Dedication Award from Student Association for her commitment and dedication to Identity.

“Palmer has helped Identity rise from the ashes and helped it become an incredibly active and supportive club,” said Wilson.

Palmer is also praised for her work with Identity by Hunter Hitchcock, current treasurer for Identity, as having a good heart and “teacher typer personality.”

Hitchcock said Palmer has encouraged him to work harder even when he thought he had no fight left.

“Her influence in the community isn’t easy to miss,” said Hitchcock.”She’s a great example of an ally, continues to educate herself on what happens in the community, and speaks out to protect her gays.”

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