LBGT Center: New Space, New Programs
October 27, 2021
AD
Central Connecticut State University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Center just moved to its new home in Barrows Hall and is already planning new programs.
The LGBT Center is located on the first floor of the residence hall, and visitors can buzz in through the front door. According to the center’s website, the space will have “many new features at the Center for the 2021-2022 academic year.”
The Center has provided a welcoming, safe space for all members of the CCSU family, including those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, queer, intersex, or allies.
In addition to the new space, the LBGT Center is facilitating new programs for students, faculty, and staff. These programs are the LBGT Moveable Senior Center/WISE (Working together: Intergenerational Student/Senior Exchange.) The program will facilitate three workshop conversations between younger and older adults on Oct. 21, Oct. 28, and Nov. 8 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Zoom. Students can register for the event online; more information is available in the News section on Central Pipeline.
CCSU professor Carrie Andreoletti initially designed the WISE program. The program works in partnership with the LBGT Center and local senior centers to help foster connection and conversation among young and old allies. Over a dozen testimonials already sing the “Live Well” workshops praises.
One anonymous LBGT Moveable Senior Center participant said, “The welcome and outreach from the MSC to LGBT people has been wonderful. I have learned many new things, made new friends, and have a greater understanding of what the area senior centers offer in services and support.” (CT Healthy Living MSC Testimonial).
The Listen Without Prejudice support group continues to be run virtually alongside the MSC workshops every Wednesday at 3 p.m. The support group is one of the center’s regular run on-campus talks. It is run by Victoria Ginter, a counselor from the Student Wellness Center, and is considered a confidential space. Students who identify with the LGBTQ+ community can discuss their challenges, develop coping mechanisms, and learn about their sexuality and gender identity. The Listen Without Prejudice group summary says, “The group offers ways to stay positive and help you realize that other students are on this journey with you.”
The LBGT Center provides support groups, gender-neutral services, training, workshops, and scholarships. In addition, the Center has a list of resources for students both on-campus, off-campus, and on the national level. These resources include community pride center information, human rights commissions, advocacy coalitions, LBGT education funds, counseling services, and over half a dozen hotlines.
The LBGT Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. While visitors can meet in the public meeting space on the first floor of Barrows Hall, center workers can also meet with students confidentially. In addition, the Center encourages students to visit and make new friends within the community.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 911 or the 24-hour Trevor Project Hotline (LBGT Resources and Suicide Prevention) at 866-488-7386. Please visit the LBGT Center’s home page on the CCSU website for more hotline numbers.
