Sexuality & Gender Diversity Student Development Program

Towson University's (TU) Sexual and Gender Diversity (SGD) Student Development program exists because of diverse and dedicated student, staff, and faculty advocates. This advoacy dates back to 1978 with the founding of the Gay People Alliance (GPA), the first student organization dedicated to gay rights and education. 

A decade later, following incidents of anti-gay sentiment on campus, faculty and staff joined forces to create The Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Issues. This task force became the current LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Association, which strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all Towson community members.

The establishment of the Gay and Lesbian Studies minor program in 1997 marks an important historical moment in TU's history. TU holds the honor of being the first university in Maryland to recognize LGBTQ studies as a legitimate academic field. The LGBTQ Studies minor continues to thrive today, offering students an interdisciiplinary understanding of diverse sexual identities.  

In 2007, TU further committed itself to supporting LGBTQIA+ students by appointing its first Director of LGBT Student Development. This initiative evolved into the present day Sexual and Gender Diversity Student Development Program. The program's title expanded to reconignize the identities and experiences of transgender, nonbinary, gender expansive and nonconforming students at Towson. In collaboration with campus and community partners, SGD strives to create an inclusive and educated campus community where all LGBTQIA+ students are welcome, supported, valued and engaged. We are proud to have earned a perfect, 5-star rating from Campus Pride.  

Programs and Activities

Chosen Family Fridays

Informal monthly programming in the Rainbow Lounge designed to cultivate community and spread queer joy. Activities include ga(y)me days, crafting, study sessions and movie nights. And snacks -- always snacks!   

Queer Wellness Week

A week of activities that prioritize the hollistic wellness of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Activities may include trauma-informed movement, emotional wellbeing workshops and sexual health education. The week culiminates in National Coming Out/Inviting-In Day celebrated annually in October. 

Women in Leadership Conference

Each year, we partner with various departments and academic colleges to host the Women In Leadership Conference to focus on increasing the leadership capacity of women students and preparing them for success in the workplace. Conference presenters are alumnae, faculty, staff and local business owners. 

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) programming occurs annualy in November to celebrate the transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender non-binary (TGNCNB) community and to honor TGNCNB people who lost their lives in acts of violence.

Lavender Graduation

Lavender Celebration is a cultural commencement ceremony held to honor LGBTQIA+ students of all races and ethnicities and to acknowledge their academic achievements and contributions to the university. This ceremony is typically held in May and celebrates all graduates for that calendar year.   

Resources

Accessibility

TU will provide reasonable accommodation(s) upon request to otherwise qualified employees and students as required by law to ensure equal access to university employment, educational opportunities, programs, services and activities in the most integrated setting, to the extent such accommodation(s) do not impose an undue hardship on the university, constitute a fundamental alteration to a program or compromise academic integrity.

Relevant TU Policies:

• 06-01.00 – Policy Prohibiting Discrimination
• 06-18.00 – Animals on Campus Policy
• 06-21.00 – Policy for Providing Reasonable Accommodations to Individuals with Disabilities

Rainbow Lounge

The Rainbow Lounge, located in room 343 on the 3rd floor of the University Union in the Center for Student Diversity, is a space for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. It is a wecolming, affirming space to study, nap or build community with other LGBTQIA+ folks. The Rainbow Lounge is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday during the Fall and Spring semesters.  

Queer Peers

The Queer Peer Mentor Program supports LGBTQIA+ students through their unique and individual identity development journey safely, privately and positively. For more information, follow Queer Peer

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center  provides transgender/non-binary affirming counseling to students who would like confidential support. They offer short term counseling and are able to provide referrals to trans/non-binary-friendly therapists in the local area (including those on a sliding scale). Call 410-704-2512 to schedule a same day first appointment.

If you have insurance through TU, you must go to the Counseling Center first and be referred by them to an off-campus therapist in order for the insurance to apply to the off-campus therapist. For more information about TU Student Health Insurance.

Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents

TU is dedicated to creating a diverse space where all feel welcomed and to strengthening our efforts to fight hate and bigotry. We continue to develop our response and prevention efforts to best meet the needs of our diverse community. All reports and incidents of hate or bias are taken seriously with a focus on providing support to affected parties. We ask that all members of our community embrace the challenge of speaking up and seeking help in the face of hate and bias.

Relevant TU Policies:

• 06-01.00 – Policy Prohibiting Discrimination
• 06-01.10 – Policy on Threats and Violence
• 06-01.20 – Policy and Procedures for the Reporting of Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents
• 06-04.11 – Policy on Time, Place and Manner for Expressive Activities
• Code of Student Accountability

Name, Pronoun, Gender Identity and Sex Marker Change

Resources are available to TU students, faculty and staff regarding Gender Identity and Pronouns as well as how to select and update their Chosen and Preferred Name, Pronoun and Gender Identity.

Contact the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity by calling 410-704-0203 or by emailing  OIIENameChange AT_TOWSON for more information.

Relevant TU Policies:

• 06-01.00 – Policy Prohibiting Discrimination
• 06-01.30 – Policy on Chosen and Preferred Names

Transgender, Nonbinary, Gender Expansive and Nonconforming on Campus Guide

In collaboration with campus and community partners, the CSD strives to create an inclusive and educated campus community where transgender, nonbinary, gender expansive and nonconforming students are welcome, supported, valued and engaged.

All-Gender Restrooms

Explore the various sections of campus to find an all-gender bathroom near you. This list is always being updated as new buildings come online and as old buildings are retrofitted with new all-gender bathrooms. NOTE: Some bathrooms have limited access as a result of being located in offices or residence halls.

Please refer to the  Interactive Campus Map  to find building locations and directions for each of the specified physical accommodations and accessible spaces. 

Gender Inclusive Housing Options

Gender Inclusive Housing is an inclusive, voluntary housing option where students can be assigned to live in the same room with any other student regardless of sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

Contact  Housing and Residence Life (HRL)  by calling 410-704-2516 for more information.

Sex Discrimination and Title IX

We are part of a campus-wide team of professionals and departments respond to and support survivors of sexual assault. We endeavor to foster a climate free from sexual misconduct through training, education, prevention programs and through policies and procedures that encourage prompt reporting, prohibit retaliation, and promote timely, fair and impartial investigation and resolution of sexual misconduct cases in a manner that eliminates the sexual misconduct, prevents its recurrence and addresses its effects.

Relevant TU Policies:

• 06-01.00 – Policy Prohibiting Discrimination
• 06-01.60 – Policy on Sex Discrimination, Sex-Based Harassment, and Retaliation
• Code of Student Accountability

Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents

TU is dedicated to creating a diverse space where all feel welcomed and to strengthening our efforts to fight hate and bigotry. We continue to develop our response and prevention efforts to best meet the needs of our diverse community. All reports and incidents of hate or bias are taken seriously with a focus on providing support to affected parties. We ask that all members of our community embrace the challenge of speaking up and seeking help in the face of hate and bias.

Menstrual Health Product Distribution

The Center for Stuent Diversity provides menstrual health products (sanitary wipes, liners, pads, tampons) for all menstruators at no cost to the individual. Stop by our office to utilize this resource.

Off-Campus Resources

A range of off-campus resources and services are also available to you!  

Get Involved

Student Organizations

Winner of the SGA's Platinum Award for student involvement, 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 continued to deliver the enrichment that allows students to grow and develop in the college environment. Through programming and action, QSU has galvanized into a potent and diverse organization run by and for students. QSU is proud to watch LGBTQIA+ and allied students become strong, well-rounded, and empowered persons. To stay updated with new events, feel free to join their Discord!

In the Life (ITL) creates community for Black and queer students of color at TU, though they actively welcome anyone who has an interest in providing a brave space for members to challenge stigmas and advocate for themselves and their peers. ITL encourages diversity, accounts for intersectional experiences, prioritizes education and promotes fun! Meetings revolve around issues impacting queer people of color and offer students the opporutinty to engage in conversation that is intellectually stimulating and community-building. All LGBTQIA+ students and allies are welcome.

GenderBlur is a student organization focused on supporting and advocating for trans, nonbinary, agender, gender non-conforming and intersex students and their allies. GenderBlur welcomes all of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The LGBTQ+ Alumni Alliance is one of several affinity groups in the Office of Alumni Relations and seeks to help (re)connect LGBTQ+ graduates to each other and the Tiger community. For graduating seniors and alumni interested in joining the alliance and helping it grow, please email Edmund Savage (’20) esavage AT_TOWSON and the Alumni Alliance AlumniAlliance AT_TOWSON