The LGBTQIA Center serves the unique needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual students by providing a supportive space, resource library, social events and educational programming. We are committed to increasing awareness and understanding of how homophobia and heterosexism interlink with sexism, racism and classism to perpetuate oppression. The Center also serves as a resource for the entire College community to learn about issues related to gender and sexuality.
Location
We are located in Burdick House on the ground floor facing the College Center at Crozier-Williams ("Cro"), and next to Larrabee Green. Look for the rainbow flags in our windows!
Study, socialize, relax
The Center is welcoming and comfortable. Students spread their work out on the tables to study, play board games, watch television, and play video games. A range of student groups holds meetings at the Center, and social and educational programs take place regularly in our space. There are comfortable couches, refreshments, board games, and more!
Resource library
The LGBTQIA Center serves as a resource for the entire College community to learn about issues related to gender and sexuality. The Center has an extensive collection of publications dealing with a wide range of aspects of LGBTQIA life and community. Newspapers, magazines and videos are for use in the Center and our many library books are available for staff, faculty, and students to check out.
History of the center
The Resource Center was founded in February 2007 by a group of dedicated students under the leadership of Dr. Jen Manion, Assistant Professor of History, and with great support from College President Leo Higdon; the Dean of the College Community, Armando Bengochea; and the then-Dean of Multicultural Affairs, Tracee Reiser. Many students have served as educators and activists on campus over the years regarding issues of homophobia and heterosexism. Those who dedicated many hours of their lives to ensuring the establishment of the Resource Center in the spring of 2007 include Rachel Chase '05, Grant Hogan '07, Gael Johns '10, Aimee Martin '07, Candyce Young-Fields '07, Alice Watson '07 and Rachel Zelinsky '10.
For more information about the LGBTQIA Center's History, we encourage you to check out the Queer Conn Report and/or our new student-created online resource"Gender and Sexuality: Establishing Space at Connecticut College."