Chantille Kendall considers herself a regular Penn State student.

But the bubbly sophomore economics major, sporting a bright smile and tilted baseball cap, said she has trouble finding people that share her experiences.

"For one, I'm African-American, I'm female and I'm recently unveiling I'm homosexual," Kendall said. "The African-American community -- they're not too fond of homosexuality."

Because of this culture clash, Kendall decided to join a group of students on campus called Undertones.

Fernando Disla (sophomore-archaeological science), who co-founded the group, said it is a safe haven for minority students who identify themselves as lesbian, gay or transgendered.

"There's a need on this campus for that kind of support system," said Disla, who is also the coalition-builder for Allies, a group that supports the LGBT community. "This campus is not that diverse. By having a group like this, they can see more people like themselves. They can say, 'This is who I am' and be OK with it."

Mark Bagley, Undergraduate Student Government's multicultural affairs director and Black Caucus political action chair, said the group has not yet received official status. That is why both USG and Black Caucus have been lending their support, he said. "Basically, Undertones is an organization that's been happening and not happening for a year and half now," Bagley said. "So we were just trying to make sure we were doing what we could to support this organization."

Disla said many of the people who tried to get the club started have graduated, making it difficult to maintain membership. However, the group now has grown from a few members to having about 25 people on its listserv.

"We have to keep trying until it's successful," Bagley said. "Traditionally, this is a group that's been underrepresented and really needs the support of the entire Penn State community."

Disla said he hopes it will become an official club within the next two months, after completing the necessary paperwork.

Although the group's membership waned at the end of last year, they held their first meeting of this school year on Monday, with about 10 people in attendance.

"I was very happy with the amount of people that came," Disla said. "We were just introducing ourselves and getting an idea of what issues we wanted to focus on."

Kendall said members brought up issues that included coming out to parents, how to deal with being different in a traditional culture, same-sex and interracial dating, discrimination in the workplace, housing, marriage and adoption.

"There's going to be a lot of freedom to express how you feel," she said. "By the time everyone graduates, they'll walk away with a lot of personal growth, even for those that are allies."

Dana Warren (senior-food science) said the members had a great time getting to know each other.

"People told their stories, like how they came out to their family and friends," she said.

Vivian Smith (graduate-media studies), who co-founded the group, said she hopes Undertones will become involved in many things.

"I would like for us to be active on campus and work with other groups on campus, as well as social events and doing some discussion things," she said. "I would like Undertones to be really well-rounded."

Smith also added that although the group concentrates on LGBT issues for minority students, it is open to anyone. Meeting are held from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays in 110 HUB.