Functions of the Center

►       To create a safe and nurturing environment with referrals and information to social and psychological support services.  The office is designated as a “safe space” for students to enter to address their concerns around coming out, experiences of homophobia, heterosexism, and transphobia in addition to other forms of discrimination.  Issues include race, gender, religion, and/or culture, difficulties within families and/or in relationships because of sexual identity, concerns about career choices and interests, and the connection of sexual identity to the broader context of inequality and oppression.

►       To Encourage visibility, education, and outreach

a.       Resources offered on LGBTQ specific issues, particularly ones that would help the broader community to understand the underlying systemic issues of homophobia, heterosexism, and transphobia. Exploration is encouraged as to the systemic issues connection to racism, sexism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and biases.  In addition we work to create strategies that support LGBTQ individuals and to build a more respectful and welcoming environment to everyone.

b.        Campus and Community Outreach is initiated to make LGBTQ issues and resources more visible to LGBTQ-identified students, staff, and faculty.  Resources include academic, professional, and community resources in the area that address the multiple needs and concerns of LGBTQ.

c.       Arts and Culture programming that would feature the contributions and work of LGBTQ-identified artists and cultural workers, and that would make visible the wide breadth of expressions, identities, and experiences of LGBTQ people across cultures, races, ages, genders, classes, and nations.

►         To act as a referral service for students to other resources and services within the University that will be sensitive to the needs and concerns and questions of a diverse group of LGBTQ students at DePaul.