Schools
Towson University: TU Pride: Resources For LGBTQ+ Tigers And Allies
As part of its strategic plan, Towson University continues to commit to diversity, fostering a climate grounded in respect and inclusion ...
Kyle Hobstetter
June 29, 2021
Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
University provides programs, events for when students return to campus
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.
Find out what's happening in Towsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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 (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.
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.
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.
Housed within the Center for Student Diversity, the LGBTQ+ Student Development Program 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.
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.
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.
The Rainbow Lounge is a brave space for all Towson University students, located in the Center for Student
Diversity (CSD), 3rd 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 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 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.
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.
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.
This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.