LGBT Resource Center

LGBT CAN

Our Mission

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Ally Campus Advisory Network (formerly known as the LGBT Support Network) is an interoffice/department committee. Since its creation in early 2000, the CAN work is based on the following charge:

  • Identify and document the developmental and unique needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community members at Northwestern University.
  • Identify and document both the University and community resources currently available to meet the needs of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students, staff and faculty.
  • Identify areas of high need for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community members that are not being met by either the University or community resources.
  • Recommend specific short-term and long-term strategies to address areas of high need for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students, staff and faculty.

Affirmation of Support

The LGBTQA Campus Advisory Network affirms academic freedom and supports research regarding sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. 

At the same time, we recognize that our mission is to offer emotional, psychological and social support to LGBTQ members of the Northwestern community, respecting their self-identification across a continuum of sexuality and gender.

We recognize that these beliefs may not always be congruent and we encourage open dialogue and discourse, with the LGBTQA CAN’s goal to support members of the LGBTQ community.
30 November 2005

Get Involved

There are several ways for you to take a more active role in the lives of the LGBTQ members of our campus community. You need not identify as LGBTQ – everyone is welcome.

If you would like join the Campus Advisory Network, the administrative committee that coordinates all activities, contact the CAN chair, Doris Dirks, whose information is listed below. There are a wide variety of ways you can help that don’t involve having to come to weekly meetings or getting bogged down with paperwork.

Doris Dirks – Center for Student Involvement, LGBT Resource Center Coordinator & Coordinator of Student Organizations for Social Justice
Norris University Center, 3rd Floor
 d-dirks@ northwestern.edu 847-491-2350

While we will welcome any interested individuals, we are particularly in need of faculty members to either be on the Network or serve as an advisor/consultant for how we can better involve faculty in our programs and initiatives.

The LGBTQA Campus Advisory Network also has a listserv. Subscriptions must be approved, but if you are interested in joining, email listserv@listserv.it.northwestern.edu, with no subject, and write “SUBSCRIBE LGBTSN [First Name] [Last Name]“.