TU Pride: Resources for LGBTQ+ Tigers and allies

By Kyle Hobstetter on June 29, 2021

As part of its strategic plan, Towson University continues to commit to diversity, fostering a climate grounded in respect and inclusion, enriching the educational experience, supporting positive workplace environments, promoting excellence and cultivating the intellectual and personal growth of all community members.

As Pride Month comes to a close, it's clear that those commitments are part of the fabric of TU.

“Pride has its origins in LGBTQ+ activism, protest and rebellion,” says Brian Jara, Coordinator of Diversity Training & Initiatives for the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity. “We hope our campus can find ways to celebrate and honor Pride in June as well as throughout the year, and includes celebrating representation while also continuing to advocate for justice and belonging.”

The ideals of Pride Month live at Towson University thanks to programs and resources that give LGBTQ+ individuals a sense of family and inclusion. TU was awarded a four-star ranking by CampusPrideIndex.org for two straight years. As students return to campus in full force this fall, here are some resources that support the LGBTQ+ community at TU and beyond.

The Queer Student Union

The Queer Student Union (QSU) is a driving force on campus for awareness, activism, community, education and student support.

Since its creation in the ‘80s, QSU has encouraged students to grow and develop. Through programming and action, it has galvanized into a potent and diverse organization run by and for students. QSU is proud to watch LGBTQ+ and allied students become strong and empowered.

Learn more by following them on Twitter and Instagram.

In The Life

For more than 10 years, In The Life has uplifted LGBTQ+ students of color, and it thrives on the presence of intersectional identities through education, programming, activism and support.

The organization is run by students in the LGBTQ+ community and is open to anyone who identifies as a member of that community. These students create an inclusive environment, educate others and build connections.

Learn more through their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

GenderBLUR

GenderBLUR strives to foster an inclusive and safer community for transgender, nonbinary, intersex and gender questioning students on campus. The organization prioritizes spaces for discussion, socializing and community building.

Learn more through their Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

The LGBTQ+ Student Development Program

Housed within the Center for Student Diversity, the LGBTQ+ Student Development Program[BROKEN LINK] empowers members through leadership development and student organization involvement, professional/career development and internship opportunities, peer mentorship and educational outreach. Its programming explores topics like sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression that speak to dimensions of history, health and wellness, socio-political location and cultural celebration.

The program also serves the larger TU community through programming that fosters educational awareness of the LGBTQ+ community and exploration of issues affecting this population to empower all students to be more culturally competent and supportive of LGBTQ+ students and create a more inclusive campus climate.

PRIDE Mentor Program

The PRIDE Mentor Program is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and ally students who want to be connected. Its goal is to help students acclimate and experience the most success possible while a student at Towson University.

TU Allyship & Advocacy Training Series

The Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity has expanded its allyship and advocacy education and training into a curriculum that combines foundational content with specialized sessions on the diversity of communities at TU. Open to all members of campus, the series includes foundational concepts, tools and resources related to diversity, equity and inclusion, social justice and advocacy also with specialized modules that address specific communities including LGBTQ+, disabilities, undocumented, international, and more. Public sessions are offered throughout the year and can also be requested for specific groups, teams, or offices.

Rainbow Lounge and Resource Library

The Rainbow Lounge is a brave space for all Towson University students, located in the Center for Student Diversity (CSD), 3^rd floor in the University Union. As Towson University’s designated LGBTQ+ resource space, students find literature, recreational opportunities, a lounge and culturally specific social interactions about and for the LGBTQ+ community. The Rainbow Lounge provides a physical location to celebrate and honor the culture, history, lives and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ peoples.

The Towson University Counseling Center

The TU Counseling Center is well trained to positively serve transgender or gender-variant students who would like one-on-one, confidential support. The center offers short-term counseling (10-session max) and provides referrals to trans-friendly therapists in the Baltimore area (including those on a sliding fee scale) who are trained to assist clients during the transition process. 

Gender-Inclusive Housing Options

Gender-inclusive housing is a voluntary living option where students can be assigned to live in the same room with any other student, regardless of sex, birth gender, biological gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. Students must specifically request this housing option, and it is space limited. Contact the Department of Housing & Residence Life at (410) 704-2516 for more information.

Chosen & Preferred Names

Through a university policy to create a more diverse and inclusive campus, current TU students, staff and faculty can select a chosen/preferred name via a webform. Questions related to this initiative can be directed to oiienamechange@towson.edu. 

Gender Identity Resources

The Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity, Center for Student Diversity, and campus partners maintains current campus and community resources specifically focused on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation and supporting members of the community, their supervisors, colleagues and other advocates.