LGBTQ+
communities at bgsu
By Shyla Henry and Kaylani Othman
Spring | 2019
For some, college is all about exploring who you are and finding ways to connect with others. For the LGBTQ+ community on the BGSU campus, the opportunities continue to grow. In addition to the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, located on the fourth floor of the Bowen Thompson Student Union, the community has established various groups to explore interests and develop friendships. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike join these groups to connect through shared interests among welcoming peers. While some groups are new and some continuously developing, all strive to build an accepting community on BGSU’s campus.
Queer/Trans Student Union
Jo Wilson | QTSU President
Purpose of Group –
To have a community and a space for queer folks to exist without worrying about being judged. Allies of the community can also enjoy the program. The group also wants to combat prejudices within the queer community and educate outside of the classroom.
Number of Members –
20-25
Date Founded –
This group was founded in the late 1980s, then in the late 1990s when the group’s name switched to Vision. QTSU became the official name in October 2017.
President –
Jo Wilson, senior double major in psychology and women’s, gender and sexuality studies
How to contact the group –
The group can be contacted through Jo Wilson at jonahw@bgsu.edu
Favorite part about organization –
Queer prom during the second semester. “It allows for inclusion, as well as a safe space for BG students and its community members.” Jo Wilson | QTSU President
How to join this organization –
OrgSync
When/Where do you meet?
Every Tuesday from 9-10 p.m. in BTSU Room 427
Why should people join this organization?
To learn more about the queer identities and to build community as a whole.
Activities done in the group (what meetings look like) –
“Meetings vary. Black Queer History month was in February so activities revolved around that. The group does research group work and fun nights like watching the show called ‘Queer Eye.’”
Why did you join organization?
“I joined QTSU because I wanted a queer org to go to. I was first in an acapella group, but then wanted something more toward what I identify with. I joined this organization because I thought ‘I’m queer and here’s the queer org.’” Wilson identifies as nonbinary.
What are some future goals for the organization?
“To bridge the gap between those who just show up and those who do not like it. Another goal is to see what would make it safer in this space as well as how to fight against racism.”
What important things should we know about your organization?
“Not all individuals are queer, that they are more than this and try to focus on racial identity and self care.”
HUE
Ky Wilson | HUE President
Name of Group –
HUE (Honoring, Urging, and Empowering Queer/Trans People of Color)
Purpose of Group –
The purpose of HUE is for queer students of color who do not feel safe. The group is a space for queer individuals of color who are not comfortable talking about their identities. “It is important to have these spaces so we don’t have to pick our identities.”
Date Reintroduced –
Nov. 26, 2018.
Number of Members –
8-10
President –
Ky Wilson, sophomore ethnic studies major
How to contact the group –
HUE can be contacted through Twitter, Instagram, the Resource Center in BTSU Room 427 and email.
Favorite part about organization –
Their favorite part of this organization is creating spaces and giving people of color a voice. “We do not always the space for our voices to be heard. Seeing people appreciate and support the organization is also my favorite.” Ky Wilson | President of HUE
How to join this organization –
Come to meetings
When/Where do you meet –
Bi-weekly on Thursday at 5 p.m. in BTSU Room 427
Activities done in the group –
“This is more of a support group right now. We are trying to see what this group needs on campus. At the Valentine’s Day meeting the group talked dating as a person of color and personal experiences with dating white people.”
Why did you join organization?
“I joined so people can have a voice and feel safe on this campus, as well as build a community where QTPOC (queer and trans people of color) feel safe and they are able to have a voice and do not necessarily have to be in the white queer community.”
Why should people join this organization?
To educate themselves. This group is open to allies of color, and it allows people who do not know their identity to explore themselves and the space they are in.
What are some future goals for the organization?
The goals of HUE are to be bigger and bolder. “People have to be educated, but I know that’s not how everyone thinks, and I know everyone is different with their activist approach.”
What important things should we know about your organization?
“People should know that identity is intersectional. People should know we are combating racism in the queer community. It is also important for people to not rely on QTPOC regarding issues; it is not always our job to fix people’s ignorance. It is important to support queer/trans people of color and uplifting our voices.”
“It is important to support queer/trans people of color and uplifting our voices.”
— Ky Wilson
HUE President
Queer Literature Club
Olivia Behm | QLC President
Purpose of Group –
Provide (primarily) young adult literature that focuses on LGBTQ+ characters where members can see themselves represented.
Date Founded –
August 30, 2018
Number of Members –
15
President –
Olivia Behm, junior adolescent to young adult integrated language arts education major
Getting the books –
The books can be checked-out from the LGBTQ+ Resource Center in BTSU 427. Books are assigned at the end of each month and they are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Favorite part about organization –
“I think my favorite thing about the organization is the community of it. We are related by our shared interested, like our love of literature, our identities and sometimes our majors. Anyone and everyone is welcome. Many people in the LGBTQ+ community don’t have the privilege of having the family that we were born into, so we make our own. I’m proud of the camaraderie of this group.” Olivia Behm | QLC President
When/Where do you meet?
The second and fourth Thursdays of the month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in BTSU Room 427.
What the meetings look like:
At the first meeting of the month, the group discusses the first half of the book that is assigned at the end of the last month. At the second meeting, the group discusses the book as a whole. The reading in QLC is completely optional, so there is no obligation to finish every book. Students are still welcome to come hang out and participate in the discussion how they want.
Why did you create this organization?
“I’ve always loved literature, but when I was younger I rarely saw someone like me in the books I read. I distinctly remember feeling like I was broken, so when I found a community of people like me and books written by that community, I was overjoyed. I wanted to make a space where we read specifically LGBTQ+ lit because everyone deserves to see themselves represented and reflected in what they read.”
How to join this organization –
Interested people just check out the books and read by themselves or come to the meetings.
Why should people join this organization?
If someone enjoys reading and identifies with the community or is an ally of the community, this could be a good fit. The books read are typically young adult literature but can vary in genre.
What are some future goals for the organization?
The group wants to get out into the community and start off-campus chapters to get the local LGBTQ+ youth involved. “It’s always healthy to see yourself represented in what you read and it’s even more important to see when you’re growing up.” Olivia Behm | QLC President
What important things should people know about your organization?
QLC began as a sub-organization of the Queer Trans Student Union and was recently approved as an official organization on campus. The group is still working out the details regarding managing an organization.
Why is this organization important?
“The more support we get for these stories the more they will spread. This should be the case for literature from marginalized communities and the intersections of these communities. It’s there, we need to recognize it.” Olivia Behm | QLC President
