An Open Mic name gave a little-known student group a voice, and recognition, Thursday.

Queer People of Color hosted Open Mic Night, the organization’s first big event this semester, in the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center.

The event gave anyone the opportunity to perform spoken word, poetry, songs and stand-up comedy. More than 10 participants performed.

Alyx Marena performed two poems at the event. Marena’s brother inspired one, titled “Superhero Complex.”

“I have been reading and writing poetry for years,” Marena said. “I really love spoken word and tonight gives me an opportunity to do that. I also really support QPOC. They aren’t necessarily a new organization, they have been around for a while, so this event is them starting up after a hiatus. I really want to support them because they are awesome.”

Emcee Jeffery Perkins read a poem at the event. He said he always supports positivity and everyone loving each other, but knows it is hard in today’s world.

“This poem is to tell everyone to never stop fighting and honor the king or queen inside of you,” Perkins said.

BCC senior coordinator Nathan Stephens also performed a poem at the event.

Originally made as a discussion group, QPOC was officially recognized as an organization in December 2010. QPOC President Brandon Hamilton said this event could become an annual occurrence.

“I came up with this idea because I knew a lot of the members of QPOC are artistic, so I wanted to give them a chance to shine,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton said he wanted to create the QPOC because he noticed a lack of diversity within the LGBTQ community on MU’s campus.

“The main goal of QPOC is to get the queer people of color on campus to get involved,” Hamilton said. “Also, to break down stereotypes that others have on LGBTQ people of color. Because in truth, we are a minority within a minority.”

Hamilton said having a QPOC on campus allows stereotypes to be broken and show that queer people of color are normal people.

“Also, I think it helps those queer people of color who don’t get involved in the LGBTQ community due to the fact that they feel out of place,” Hamilton said. “It helps them feel more comfortable getting involved and meeting other people exactly like them.”

Hamilton said next semester he hopes the QPOC will sponsor more events, gain more members and become involved on campus to spread their organization’s name and goal.

“I hope people see that QPOC is not just a group for people to come and discuss their problems, but that we get involved with the community and that we are all gifted,” Hamilton said.