Vision
The LGBTRC provides support, education, and advocacy from an intersectional perspective regarding sexual orientation/attraction and gender identity for the UC Irvine Campus Community.
Mission
The UCI Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center provides a wide range of education and advocacy services supporting intersectional identity development. We foster community, wellness, an open and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, transgender, queer, asexual, ally, and questioning students, faculty, staff, and the larger campus community. We strive to develop an atmosphere of acceptance and wellbeing in which the campus community can support the academic mission of the university.
History
The LGBTRC opened Spring Quarter 1995
(Link here to read about the first iteration of Queer activism and the early resource center started in 1975! at UCI)
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center was the result of recommendations made over an eight year period by the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Lesbians and Gay Men and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Union. On March 11, 1994 former Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Horace Mitchell, met with the LGB community and announced that a Resource Center would be established at UCI. He also announced the funding for a full time position to staff the Center. During Winter quarter of 1995, Pat Walsh was selected as the Director of the LGBT Resource Center and 106 Gateway Commons was designated as the Resource Center’s home. The LGBT Resource Center officially opened Spring quarter of 1995.
After 12 years in the Gateway Commons location, the LGBT Resource Center moved into the newly opened Student Center during the Fall of 2007. The current location in G301 Student Center South on the third floor of the G building provides more visibility on campus while continuing to be a safe space for UCI’s LGBT community.
The Resource Center is housed under the Office of Student Life & Leadership, along with the Cross-Cultural Center, Veteran Services, International Center, Dean of Students, and other student life and leadership programs.
Community Members…
- Will define, describe and explore their own identities (Empowerment, Identity)
- Will develop and encourage healthy personal habits, self-care methods, and community support that will help them find balance with the multiple identities they may hold (Wellness, Social Justice, Identity)
- Are able to explain how the intersections of their multiple identities connect them with other people and social issues (Community, Social Justice, Empowerment)
- Develop a greater understanding of their personal identities; as well as appreciate the similarities and differences of other community members (Social Justice, Community, Identity)
- Will have the opportunity to educate the larger campus community by visibly collaborating with and/or sharing personal narratives with outside departments, offices and centers
- Will gain a working knowledge of the diversity of the ways Queer people identify in regards to the intersections of their identities (ie. Race, class, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, etc) (Social Justice, Identity, Community)
- Will receive the support and resources they need in regards to their LGBTQ identity development and coming out process with the assistance of staff (Identity, Community, Advocacy, Wellness)
- Are able to navigate on and off campus resources with the assistance of center staff (Advocacy)
- Develop empathy, and a concern for the social good of others, therefore, contributing to a community of care (Community, Empowerment)
- Will have an opportunity to build a community/queer family therefore, enhancing feelings of engagement and belonging (Community)
- Will be able to find their own unique voice in order to develop a sense of agency & self-efficacy skills (Empowerment, Leadership)
- Are able to develop tangible life and academic skills that will further future goals (Leadership)
- Will find development opportunities to serve as LGBTQ student leaders and ambassadors in and out of the LGBTRC, serving the campus community and beyond (leadership)
- Are able to explain and recognize important social and political issues in their own community as well as different cultural beliefs and behaviors in the larger world (Social Justice Education)
- Are able to receive the support that they need in order to prioritize and persist through their educational/career and personal life with staff that advocate on their behalf and truly care about their future (Wellness)
These learning outcomes are adapted from the work of the UCLA, UCR, UCSD campus LGBT resource centers.
Community Agreements
- We want our community and space to feel safe & welcoming. To this end, our community agreements are rules we all agree to by entering the center, to ensure everyone’s diverse needs for comfort are met.
- Use “I” Statements – speak for yourself!
- One Diva, One Mic – don’t interrupt or speak over others.
- Listen Actively
- Move Up, Move Back – be aware yourself in conversation. Allow others (and yourself) to contribute.
- Don’t Yuck My Yum – respect differences of opinion.
- Use Positive & Affirming Language
- Respect Gender Pronouns – always refer to others using the pronouns correct for them. If they have not told you what is correct, try defaulting to the singular “they” (ex. “They haven’t told me yet – what are their pronouns?”)
- What’s Heard Here Stays Here, but What’s Learned Here Leaves Here – respect the confidentiality of individuals.
- Remember Your Privilege – be mindful of unearned benefits you may have due to race, gender, physical/mental ability etc.
- Actively Ask for Consent – hugs included!
- Practice Self Care
- Correct with Kindness – be patient & kind!
- Quit Taking it Personally – accept criticism graciously and considerately.
- Daring Greatly- We must have courageous conversations with Empathy.
Core Values
DIVERSITY | SOCIAL JUSTICE | EDUCATION
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT | HOLISTIC WELLNESS
ADVOCACY | VISIBILITY | LEADERSHIP