Women's and LGBTQIA+ Student Services

Women’s and LGBTQIA+ Student Services fosters a safer and more inclusive campus by providing support, resources, leadership development, and education related to diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

As the Women’s and LGBTQIA+ Coordinator, I will work to transform our campus into one that promotes gender equity and anti-violence through an intersectional feminist lens which addresses oppressions including, but not limited to, racism, sexism, classism, heterosexist, ageism, and ableism. I work to reduce the pervasiveness and effects of sexual violence, relationship abuse, and stalking. I am committed to providing confidential, warm, empathetic advocacy to victims/survivors and LGBTQIA+ students affiliated with Metro State University, who have experienced sexual violence, relationship abuse, stalking, and discrimination; we also provide educational and programming to these topics. I am committed to serving individuals from all races, ethnicities, faiths, religions, national origins, sexes, ages, marital status, veteran statuses, sexual orientation, gender identities, and gender expressions.

We engage with students by providing:

• Confidential Advocacy

• Self-Care

• Activism

• Peer Support

• Anti-Violence Education

• Social Events

Empowerment
We affirm and actively support people of all genders and sexual orientations. We strive to ensure inclusive policies and accessible resources in order to create a campus environment that fosters the success of women and LGBTQIA+ students. We are also committed to providing excellent co-curricular programming that empowers students to be leaders in their communities and beyond.

Social Justice
We recognize the importance of exploring and challenging systems of power and privilege. For this reason, we are dedicated to engaging in anti-oppression
work and positive acts of solidarity. The center promotes awareness, understanding, education, and advocacy with the goal of working toward gender equity and eliminating all forms of discrimination.

Intersectionality
We are committed to understanding and responding to the ways in which gender intersects with other identities such as race, class, nationality, and religion (among many others) and how these intersections contribute to unique experiences of oppression and privilege.

Engagement
We believe that we have a responsibility to make a positive difference in our local communities. As such, the center strives to be a community space and resource. Additionally, because of the vital role that co-curricular activities play in the development and professionalization of students, the center provides opportunities for students to meaningfully engage with fellow students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local communities. We encourage students to think critically about the ways they can create collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships both on and off campus.

Create a brave space

• Encourage identity exploration
• Support community building
• Empower student leadership
• Challenge all forms of discrimination
• Provide comfy couches and a place to be yourself

Engage in campus education

• Offer workshops and presentations in ally development and anti-sexual violence training
• Host events that address and reflect women’s and LGBTQIA+ experiences
• Spread awareness and increase visibility of women’s and LGBTQIA+ diverse identities

Provide resources and advocacy

• Maintain a library of women’s and LGBTQIA+ books and literature.
• Offer a variety of referrals for community agencies relating to women’s and LGBTQIA+ issues like domestic violence shelters, information on birth control and STIs, hormone therapy, and counseling.
• Provide confidential* advocacy and information about academic, legal, medical, and emotional resources for those who experience discrimination based on sex, gender identity/expression, or sexual orientation, as well as for survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking.
• Confidential resources are not required to report specific incidents and may not disclose any information without the permission of the student except in rare, extreme circumstances (including imminent risk of harm to self or others).