Just as rainbows include all colors, Northwestern’s Rainbow Alliance strives to represent the whole spectrum of sexual orientations without making any group member feel excluded.

The group, formerly known as the Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance, changed its name in May to be more inclusive of straight and transgender students, said co-President Sharon Roberson.

But despite the name change, some people still view Rainbow Alliance as “a group for not-straight people,” said Alex Goldman, the group’s other co-president.

“I think it’s hard to break down that image,” said Goldman, a Weinberg sophomore.

But he thinks the group is making strides in that direction. Rainbow Alliance has increased advertising and expanded programming to reflect all student interests, and turnout at events has been promising, he said.

Group leaders said it is too early in the year to know whether or not the new name is responsible for greater student involvement, but they remain optimistic.

“I can’t be sure the name change made a difference, but I hope so because that’s one of our intentions,” said Roberson, a McCormick sophomore.

Ellen Bird, a new group member, said she thinks the name makes the group sound more welcoming.

“It’s more of an umbrella term so more people who want to can come (to events),” said Bird, a Weinberg freshman.

Social Chairman Alex Lin said straight students would feel more comfortable attending an event presented by a group called “Rainbow Alliance.”

Before the change, Lin said he worried some students thought “BGALA” implied that a person had to be bisexual, gay or lesbian to enjoy group events.

Although Rainbow Alliance members approve of the name change, some have different views about how it has affected the group.

“I think it’s entirely superficial,” Goldman said. “It’s just an attempt to make people more aware that we always try to include everyone.”

But Roberson said the new name has helped the group focus on its goal of promoting inclusiveness.

“We’re trying to re-emphasize the fact that we’re a gay-straight alliance and everyone is welcome,” Roberson said.

Pursuing its goal to engage students on campus, on Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day, Rainbow Alliance hosted a performance by About Face Youth Theatre, a Chicago-based troupe that addresses issues of sexuality. Lin said the event attracted students from Evanston Township High School and NU acting classes in addition to regular group members.

Rainbow Alliance also promotes its diverse image through Monday Movie Nights, where the group has shown films such as “Some Like It Hot” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Lin, a Weinberg senior, said more students are coming to movie nights this year and he hopes those students will come back to learn more.

The group’s next big event will be the drag show Winter Quarter. Last year’s pageant attracted about 100 people and showcased a drag queen from Chicago as well as amateur kings and queens from campus.

The drag show’s fun atmosphere often attracts students who are not group members, said Erin Nettifee, the group’s treasurer.

“Last year there were a lot of people there we might not normally see at Rainbow Alliance events,” said Nettifee, a Weinberg senior.

But Goldman said it is difficult to keep track of new faces since Rainbow Alliance does not keep a membership list. The listserv, which acts as an informal record, shows that 60 new people have joined this year.

Rainbow Alliance leaders said they think the group has succeeded so far in attracting new members and drawing people to events, but Roberson said working to include people will be an ongoing project.

“It’s definitely a long-term goal,” she said. “It will take more than the first month of school to let people know (Rainbow Alliance is) for everyone.”