Administered by the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (OVPDEI), the LGBTQ+ Culture Center provides a comprehensive suite of resources and services designed to support LGBTQ+ students and to foster unity and inclusiveness for IU’s LGBTQ+ community and individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues.
On Oct. 17, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the center will celebrate its official grand re-opening. The revamped facility includes a new student cafe and lounge; enhanced library space; a new Counseling and HIV Testing room; an updated conference room with new furniture, functionality and capacity; and a room for the Gender Affirming Closet.
“For many IU Bloomington students, the LGBTQ+ Culture Center is the first place they’ve ever felt at home. When they’re here, we want them to feel welcomed, supported and connected,” says Bruce Smail, director of the center. “We have gone from a one-office space to an entire building for our LGBTQ+ students.”
Renovations to the LGBTQ+ Culture Center were made possible through the Re-Envisioning Project, as well as a combination of support from individual alums and friends of IU, matching funds, grants and institutional support.
Indiana University has a long and proud history of supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students, faculty, staff and alumni with programs, practices and policies on each of its campuses. This commitment has been instrumental in Indiana University Bloomington consistently being named year after year as one of the top higher education institutions for LGBTQ+ students by Campus Pride, the leading national organization dedicated to building future LGBTQ and ally leaders and creating safer communities at colleges and universities.
“Every student should experience a welcoming and inclusive campus environment at Indiana University,” says Rashad Nelms, interim vice president for the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “The LGBTQ+ Culture Center provides that welcoming space for LGBTQ+ students, giving them and allies the resources, intersectional programming, mentorships and opportunities to live their authentic lives.”