The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Support Network is a interoffice/department committee with ultimate oversight within the Division of Student Affairs. Since its creation in early 2000, the network's work is based on the following charge:

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

The LGBT Support 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 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 our central goal remaining to always support members of the LGBT community and embrace each person in being themselves.

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

If you would like join the Support Network, the administrative committee that coordinates all activities, contact the Network co-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 and get 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 AT northwestern.edu 847-491-2350

While we will welcome any interested people, 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 LGBT Support 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]".