LGBTQIA+ Students
Goucher College is committed to creating and maintaining a campus community that actively addresses oppression while affirming, supporting, and empowering individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, including their intersectional identities, experiences, and truths.
If you wish to use a chosen name instead of your legal name on unofficial documentation or change your name and/or gender on official documentation, please refer to the Name Change Policy (PDF).
Programs & Events
Current Programs & Events
For a complete listing of our current events, please visit the CREI Programs & Events page or follow CREI on Facebook.
If you have an idea for an event or program, we’d love to hear it! Please email crei@goucher.edu with your suggestions or if you would like more information pertaining to a program
or event!
Meet & Greets
LGBTQIA+ Orientation Meet and Greets
Take some time to get to know fellow LGBTQIA+ students on campus.
Programming & Initiatives
Gender Affirming Closet
The Gender Affirming Closet is a continually growing collection of donations created
to give students free access to gender expression and gender-affirming items in a
safe, welcoming environment. Access to clothing that affirms one’s gender identity
& expression can be huge barrier for transgender, non-binary, agender, and gender
non-conforming people. We understand that many of these needed items are expensive,
difficult or even dangerous to access, and can be essential part of living ones truth.
The Gender Affirming Closet provides items for free and in accessible and brave space.
Goucher Pride Month
Details To be Announced!
National Awareness Days
Transgender Awareness Week
Transgender Awareness Week, typically observed the second week of November, is a one-week
celebration leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th. Transgender Awareness Week seeks to help raise the visibility of
transgender and gender non-conforming people, and address the issues the community
faces.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Held on November 20th, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), which occurs annually
on November 20, is a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of
transphobia and to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender
community.
Asexual Awareness Week
Held during the week of October 21-25th, Asexual Awareness Week is an international
campaign that seeks to educate about asexual, aromantic, demisexual, and grey-asexual
experiences and celebrate and affirm their identities.
Bisexual Visibility Day
Held on September 23rd, Bisexual Visibility Day is a call for the bisexual community,
their friends and supporters to recognize and celebrate bisexual history, bisexual community and culture, and all the bisexual people in their lives.
Lavender Ceremony
The Lavender Ceremony is an annual celebration conducted on numerous campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual students and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the College. This ceremony is open to all students.
National Scholarships & Financial Aid for LGBTQIA+ Students (not sponsored by Goucher)
Internships & Volunteer Opportunities
These are a sampling of the many organizations around the country that work with and for LGBTQIA+ students, and that have internship or volunteer opportunities. If you are looking for a summer opportunity, check these out!
The Pride Center of Maryland offers over 30 programs and services that reflect their dedication to ensuring Maryland’s sexual and gender minority community have equal access to care, services, and a space where they can be their authentic selves. Each year, they serve thousands of Maryland residents in order to fulfill our commitment of uniting, empowering, and advocating on behalf of sexual and gender minorities of Baltimore and Central Maryland.
FreeState Justice is a legal advocacy organization that seeks to improve the lives of low-income lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (“LGBTQ”) Marylanders. Each year FreeState Justice receives great support from its Law, Communications and Development, and Non-Profit Management Interns.
The DC Center for the LGBT Community seeks interns year-round. Interns provide support for different programs and areas of interest at The DC Center, like Health and Wellness, Advocacy, Center Arts and Development. Interns also gain valuable office experience providing administrative support in the day-to-day tasks at our organization.
SMYALSMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth in the Washington, DC, metropolitan region. From community outreach to event planning to program assistance, each volunteer opportunity will enhance our services and, ultimately, help LGBTQIA+ youth reach their potential.
Victory Fund provides campaign, fundraising and communications support to LGBTQIA+ candidates to increase the number of openly LGBTQIA+ elected officials –because representation is power. Victory Fund’s paid internship program provides an opportunity to gain experience in LGBTQIA+ political activism, communications or fundraising, and strengthen job-related skills.
OUT for Sustainability mobilizes the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community for environmental and social action, in pursuit of a fabulous planet. Explore OUT4S as a project volunteer! Get to know the organization by supporting anything from a communications campaign to your local Earth Gay service project.
Institutional Support
Prospective Student FAQ
Are sexual orientation and gender identity included in the non-discrimination policy?
Goucher College is an equal opportunity institution that prohibits unlawful discrimination against and harassment of employees, students, and applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, sex, marital status, age, disability or genetic information.
Is there a campus office for LGBTQIA+ student services?
The Center for Race, Equity and Identity (CREI) engages all students in social justice through educational and co-curricular opportunities through social justice, intersectionality. CREI strive to improve the institutional advancement of all students, specifically students of color (Black, Latinx, Asian, Native/ Indigenous and multiracial); LGBTQIA+ students; and students with disabilities.
If you would like to know more, feel free to contact: crei@goucher.edu.
Are there activities and events on campus for LGBTQIA+ students?
The Center for Race, Equity, and Identity (CREI) coordinates and co-facilitates programs, initiatives, workshops, and discussions surrounding LGBTQIA+ topics for all students. See the full list of events.
Is there a procedure for reporting LGBTQ+-related bias incidents and hate crimes?
How does the school respond to such incidents? Goucher College is firmly committed to providing an environment in which all community members feel safe and comfortable, as they learn, live, and work. For more information, see the Policy Against Discrimination and Harrassment.
Are LGBTQIA+ sensitive counseling services available?
Counseling Services staff are supportive and affirming of gender and sexual diversities.
Support & Crisis
You are always welcome to come by the Center for Race, Equity, and Identity. We are open 10:00am-6:00pm, Monday through Friday, in ATH 422. Come to relax, study, nap on one of our couches, cook food, or talk to one of our intern or staff members.
Working within CREI, the professional staff provide support, encouragement, resources, and programs that foster the academic, social, and personal growth of all students. In supporting that vision, the professional staff develops and advocates for inclusive policy and practices, facilitates educational and awareness workshops for staff and faculty, provides outreach programs and events, and offers centralized support and services to all students.
For more information, please contact: crei@goucher.edu.
Additional support and guidance can be found on the CREI Campus Resources page.