LGBTQA Resource Center Background and History

The LGBTQA Resource Center was established on National Coming Out Day, October 11, 2011 to create an inclusive environment where Gallaudet University students of all sexual orientations and gender identities & expressions feel welcome, supported, valued and engaged. The Center is staffed by a full-time Coordinator with support from student paraprofessionals in the Office of Diversity and Equity for Students. Center services include:

  • Advising for individual students and groups
  • Advocacy leadership & promotion of LGBTQA-inclusive campus policies
  • Bias reporting, support, and referrals
  • Consultation on curriculum transformation in keeping with LGBTQA higher education best practices.  
  • Educational trainings and workshops on gender and sexuality
  • Information-dissemination on campus and electronically
  • LGBTQA Resource Library housed in the Office of Diversity and Equity for Students
  • Monthly newsletter with events, scholarships, & opportunities of interest
  • Student lounge, housed in the Office of Diversity and Equity for Students, a safe space
  • Project collaboration with groups and entities on and off campus
  • Rainbow Bison Directory of out LGBTQA staff and allies
  • Research support with Gallaudet University research pertaining to gender and sexuality
  • Transgender student, staff, & faculty resources
  • Transgender Task Force guidance and support

LGBTQA Resource Center programs and activities include:

  • Allies Network training
  • Coming Out Day programming
  • "LGBTQA 101" and "Trans 101" competency-building trainings
  • Lavender Graduation
  • Pride Month
  • Pride Presenters Series
  • Social mixers
  • Student, faculty, and staff gatherings
  • Student Groups
  • Trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming student support group
  • Transgender Awareness Week programming
  • QTPOC student support meet-up

The LGBTQA Resource Center is a member of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals and works closely with Rainbow Society, Gallaudet's LGBTQA student club.