The LGBTQ Resource Center serves Georgetown's LGBTQ community, offering a range of programming and resources. The Center aims "to establish a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for LGBTQ community members and promote better understanding and integration with the entire campus community"1.
History
In 2001, LGBTQ working groups proposed the creation of a resource center for LGBTQ students and a full-time resource coordinator2. The university appointed a part-time resource coordinator in 2002 but did not take action on a resource center until 20073. That year, a student-led movement in response to hate crimes ultimately led President John DeGioia to commit to a resource center, with Sivagami "Shiva" Subbaraman named as the Center's inaugural director4. The LGBTQ Resource Center opened in 2008, becoming the first such center at a Catholic and Jesuit university in the US5. Subbaraman also led the Women's Center from 2019 until her 2020 retirement, at which point both centers joined the Office of Student Equity and Inclusion6. Riley Jelenick was named associate director of the Center is 2023.
Offerings
OUTober is the Center's annual October celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month7. OUTober consists of a wide range of programming; OUTober 2022 featured various social events, a town hall with Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and a Coming Out Day celebration8.
In 2011, former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue (CAS '62) and his wife Chan donated $1 million to establish the Tagliabue Initiative for LGBTQ Life9. The endowment was formally launched in fall 2012 and features various programs, including the Journeys retreat10. Journeys is an annual overnight retreat bringing 30 students to the Calcagnini Contemplative Center in Bluemont, Virginia11. The retreat provides an opportunity for students to engage in community-building and reflection12.
The Center also hosts Lavender Graduation each year, providing an opportunity "for LGBTQ and Ally undergraduate and graduate students to acknowledge their achievements, contributions, and unique experiences at Georgetown"13. The University of Michigan hosted the first Lavender Graduation in 1995; Georgetown hosted its first Lavender Graduation in 200914. President DeGioia has described the event, which features a Georgetown alum as the keynote speaker, as "the beginning of commencement season"15.
- 1LGBTQ Resource Center, About Us. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/about-us/.
- 2Redden, Molly. "What's a Hoya? Jack DeGioia." The Georgetown Voice. 29 October 2009.
- 3Redden, Molly. "What's a Hoya? Jack DeGioia." The Georgetown Voice. 29 October 2009.
- 4Parham, Connie. "LGBTQ Center Finds Leadership." The Hoya. 22 August 2008.
- 5LGBTQ Resource Center, About Us. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/about-us/.
- 6Jones, Baylee and Claire Stowe. "GUWC and LGBTQ Resource Centers To Join Office of Equity and Inclusion as Director Retires." The Hoya. 3 December 2020.
- 7LGBTQ Resource Center, OUTober. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/educationandoutreach/outober/.
- 8LGBTQ Resource Center, OUTober 2022. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/outober-2022/.
- 9LGBTQ Resource Center, Tagliabue Initiative. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/tagliabue-initiative/.
- 10LGBTQ Resource Center, Tagliabue Initiative. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/tagliabue-initiative/.
- 11LGBTQ Resource Center, Journeys Retreat. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/educationandoutreach/journeysretreat/.
- 12LGBTQ Resource Center, Journeys Retreat. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/educationandoutreach/journeysretreat/.
- 13LGBTQ Resource Center, Lavender Graduation. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/lavendergraduation/.
- 14LGBTQ Resource Center, Lavender Graduation. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/lavendergraduation/.
- 15LGBTQ Resource Center, Lavender Graduation. https://lgbtq.georgetown.edu/lavendergraduation/.
