LGBT Resource Center

Mission Statement

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center, a department of the Center for Student Involvement, was created in order to sustain and strengthen an open, safe, just and inclusive campus community for people of all sexualities and gender identities by eliminating heterosexism, homophobia and gender identity oppression.

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Values:

We work to accomplish our mission within the framework of the following deeply held values:

We value people. We recognize that people, particularly students, are the most dynamic and unique resources available. We actively nurture and support both the intellect and the spirit of the total person.

We value diversity. We encourage all members of the campus community to participate in the LGBT Resource Center’s efforts to promote social justice and eliminate discrimination in all of its forms. We also strive to serve every member of the NU community, especially allies, and support their development.

We value community. We recognize the importance of providing a visible, comfortable and accessible Resource Center space for LGBTQ and allied members of the NU community to congregate and explore issues of identity. In this space is a well-organized, diverse collection of books, publications, and films pertaining to LGBTQ themes.

We value education. We provide high-quality and well-advertised educational, social and activist programming which reflects the diversity within the LGBTQ community. We believe that by graduation all students should possess a base of knowledge pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

We value service. We will strive to provide a superior level of support to the LGBTQ community at Northwestern. We will make every effort to accommodate the needs of the campus community with kindness, courtesy and respect.

We value accountability. We will endeavor to know and respond to the determined needs of the LGBTQA community. We will work to anticipate the future environment and adapt programs, services, and facilities in response to those needs.

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Actions

  • We support the academic mission of Northwestern University.
  • We challenge existing definitions of gender and sexuality.
  • We build coalitions on- and off-campus.
  • We develop and offer programs and co-curricular, educational, cultural, and social opportunities for students, faculty and staff on LGBTQ issues.
  • We educate the university community about LGBTQ people through programs and trainings such as Safe Space, Transgender Ally Training, and programs including National Coming Out Day and LGBT History Month.
  • We advocate for an environment which eliminates barriers, diminishes prejudice and bigotry and extends a supportive climate for al LGBTQA students, staff and faculty.
  • We collaborate with campus citizens and with other institutions and community agencies to facilitate student development.
  • We foster, within Evanston and Chicago and across surrounding communities, relationships through which LGBTQA students can thrive as they pursue future educations, career and life goals.
  • We welcome opportunities to think critically, receive information, share knowledge and sustain an educational environment in which each student has the support needed to shape unique identities.
  • We assist academic and administrative departments in implementing policies, programs and activities that increase the number of LGBTQ students who enroll in and graduate from Northwestern University.
  • We connect the needs of LGBTQ students, staff and faculty with on- and off-campus resources.
  • We disseminate information about LGBTQ people and assist the institution in providing opportunities for students to learn about this population.
  • We provide representation to campus committees to ensure that the needs of the LGBTQ community are included in decisions regarding campus policies.
  • We provide unique support services specific to LGBTQ students, including: advising, advocacy, counseling and referral, education and training, group and workshop facilitation, and leadership development.
  • We recognize and explore the ability, age, ethnicity, gender, health, language, national origin, race, religion and socioeconomic differences in the LGBTQ community.
  • We serve every member of the student body, staff and faculty.
  • We celebrate the history, traditions and culture of LGBTQ communities.

Meet the Staff

Kayleigh Madjar is currently a sophomore in the class of 2014, majoring in Chinese Studies and something else in the School of Communications. She is involved in both the LGBT and Taiwanese communities (although she is not technically a member of either), as well as the theater community at times. She eventually wishes to facilitate cultural and educational exchange between the United States and Taiwan. In her limited free time, she likes to watch too much TV and sing obnoxiously with her friends in public areas.


Zach is in the class of 2013. He is the self-titled Queen of All Things Gay at Northwestern. In addition to working at the LGBT Resource Center part time, Zach is the co-president of Rainbow Alliance and the co-president of Northwestern’s chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. He is also the president of Gender Protection Initiative. Zach is a journalism (broadcast) and gender studies double major. In his fairly limited free time, Zach likes hanging out with friends, watching movies, and telling people why New York is better.


Collin Rice is a member of Northwestern University’s class of 2015. Collin is a declared Theatre Major, looking to double-major in another field (possibly Mathematics). As a new member to Northwestern’s LGBT community, Collin hopes to expand upon his knowledge of current and past LGBT issues and programs while assisting the community at large. In his free time, Collin enjoys Doctor Who, knitting, reading, and spending time with friends.


Rohan Lewis, an ethnomusicology major with a dance minor, is currently studying as a third year at Northwestern University. With a duel-citizenship from both the United States and also Jamaica, Rohan enjoys opera, theatre, writing, world football, track & field, hockey, rugby, politics, philosophy and equality.



Albert Yan hails from East Brunswick, NJ and is pursuing a BM in Violin Performance, as well as a BA in Political Science. He is currently a Research Assistant for Jillana Enteen, professor in the Gender Studies department at NU, studying the intersection of technology, sex reassignment surgery, and transnational issues. Albert was the co-founder of his high school’s first Gay-Straight Alliance focuses on LBTQ topics in education, awareness, transnational issues, and film. He has also spent time in Vienna, Beijing, and Tel Aviv studying languages and a variety of social science topics.


Monte Nelson is a sophomore pursuing a major in Psychology and Sociology and considering a minor in Gender Studies. Monte is involved in other organizations around campus, especially the human rights group NUCHR and Northwestern’s Speech Team. When he is not working Monte is usually listening to music and reading, writing, or hanging out with friends.



Chris is a senior studying Journalism and History with a concentration on Great Britain. He has worked at the Resource Center for three years now and has enjoyed every minute of it. Born and raised in the Midwest, Chris came to NU with experience on how difficult it can be to be gay here. That is why, he is also currently on Rainbow Alliance’s executive board coordinating their mentoring program, Guidance and Peer Solutions.

Jacqueline Nunez is a member of Northwestern University’s class of 2015. She is a student at Medill and is hoping to minor in Political Science. She is involved in the LGBT community as well as various theatre projects on campus. She also works as a copy editor for The Daily Northwestern newspaper. She is a happy vegetarian and spends most of her (scarce) free time reading, blogging, and napping.

Zach Nicol is a member of Northwestern University’s class of 2015, pursuing a major in Theatre. Zach enjoys getting involved in the community in many different ways, including being a member of various student groups and producing shows. In his free time, Zach loves listening to music, watching movies, and seeing tons of theatre.

We welcome your thoughts, comments or suggestions: lgbtrc@u.northwestern.edu