Psychology sophomore Willow VanDusen, left, and pre-law and psychology freshman Molefi Branson converse Jan. 15, 2014 at the LBGT Resource Center open house in Student Services. The open house had games, snacks and information for its visitors.
With a new semester underway, the MSU Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender Resource Center held an open house on Wednesday to welcome students back to campus, check in on how they are doing and also welcome those students who have transferred and are new to campus.
Denzel McCampbell, program coordinator at the center, said the open house allowed people to reconnect and also provided an introduction about the resource center and the services they offer.
“A lot of times, especially with our first-year students that are coming out recently, we ask them (how their break went) and let them know there still is a community here,” Denzel said. “This is really a place for them to come hang out. … It’s important to get that connection with students.”
Khalil Speller found that the center provided a safe and open place for him last semester. The media and information sophomore is happy to return and see the people that continue to show support.
“Last semester I always came here because I like this environment,” Speller said. “It provided me with people that I could talk to about things that were happening in my life. They gave me a support system and a place where I can relax.”
Center Director Deanna Hurlbert said she and the center are ready for the new semester and plan on adding on some new events for the students and surrounding communities.
Various projects include partnerships with the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum for a video blog and forum to talk about sexuality and a new training program called Know Us Project, for LBGT people and allies to tell their stories openly around campus and expand their audience.
“Traditionally we have done SafeZone training, but this new training compliments that and replaces most of that training,” Hurlbert said. “Essentially, it is training people on how to tell their stories and share their perspectives either as an ally or folk who are LGBT. The idea is to find teachable moments.”
With the new semester, Hurlbert said she wants people to know that the center welcomes everyone from the community to come talk. She added that 85 percent of the students who come into the center are straight.
“The majority of students we serve are straight students,” Hurlbert said. “Most of what we do is educational programs to help prepare everyone on campus to live and work with people who might be different from themselves.”
After his experience with the center, Speller recommended anyone to come to the center.
“If I ever meet someone who needs a strong support system and is looking for information for things around campus, I always recommend the LBGT Resource Center,” Speller said.
To sign up for the first Know Us Project training session on Jan. 26, visit the LBGT Resource Center website.
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