Alternative Club, also called Dark Sanctuary, is a group run by University of Wyoming student Elenore Jenkerson. On their website, the club defines “alternative” as subcultures such as goth, metal, emo, and more. The club’s aim is “to provide an inclusive community space” for students who fall into this category.
“I feel like we experience a lot of stigma every day and a lot of exclusion,” Jenkerson said. “Literally anywhere I go, I get stared at or people will… make comments. Whether they’re good or bad, it’s still extra attention which I don’t necessarily feel is warranted. I just dress how I want to dress.”
Jenkerson wanted to create a space for other people like them to feel comfortable and meet other like-minded individuals. “It’s a place for people to meet and encourage each other to have self-confidence and also do a bunch of fun events,” they said.
“I have a bunch of things planned, I have a whole spreadsheet of things planned,” Jenkerson said when asked about future events in the club. These included the Halloween party they held last Thursday and a possible painting night in the future. “We’d all paint and maybe discuss what this expression means to us afterwards.”
“I’m working with Restorative Justice to implement a community-building aspect… I feel as though once The Green House closed down, a lot of alternative people were left without a safe venue to go to and meet and be alternative in a space,” Jenkerson said. The Green House Collective was a music venue in Laramie where many alternative people felt safe and seen. It closed its main address, “The Lair” in June and has yet to find a permanent replacement location. “I want to be able to rebuild that community in a way. This is my way of reaching out to the community and hoping they reach back out to me.”
“I don’t want the club to be a political thing, I want it to be open to anyone. As long as they’re not bigoted or mean to anybody, I don’t really care who shows up. I just want everyone to feel included in the space,” Jenkerson said. “I want to encourage other people to dress how they want to dress and express themselves in any way that they see fit.”
Dark Sanctuary meets every Thursday at 5:00 pm in the Warm Valley Room 202 at the Student Union. Anyone seeking more information can check out their Instagram @uw.alt.club or email Elenore Jenkerson at ejenkers@uwyo.edu.
