Queer Students (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, And Intersex)
If you are a gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, intersex, or questioning student, college may be your first opportunity to come out of the closet. Cal and the surrounding community have many resources for you.
Academic
The Minor Program in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Studies works to establish sexuality as a crucial category of analysis in the humanities and social sciences. It draws on disciplines like anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, literature, and cultural studies to document the extent to which sexuality is a complex cultural and historical phenomenon. LGBT Studies is not only by, about, and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people, but includes all humanity in its outlook. The LGBT minor is in the Gender and Women’s Studies Department (womensstudies.berkeley.edu; 608 Barrows Hall; 510/642-8513).
Domestic partner privileges
Check Students with partners.
Housing
The Unity House: Exploring Diverse Genders and Sexualities Theme Program (UNITY) provides residents and other community members interested in LGBT Studies opportunities for academic and personal growth. For housing applications and more information, check online or contact the Office of Student Development, Unity House Program (themeprograms.berkeley.edu/unity.html; 2610 Channing Way; 510/642-3213).
The Wilde House is a coed co-op with accommodations for 38 students. It incorporates the issues and events of the LGBT student community. Run by residents, the house provides alternative, less expensive living in a fun and supportive atmosphere (bsc.coop/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29&Itemid=72; housing@usca.org; 510/848-1936).
Scholarships
Several scholarships are available to the Berkeley LGBT community. Visit Scholarship Connection online and be sure to click the Search by Underrepresented Group link and hit the LGBT button (scholarships.berkeley.edu).
Cal Alumni Pride Leadership Scholarship awards four $1,500 scholarships to continuing undergraduate students based on academic achievement and leadership criteria. Offered by the LGBT alumni club at UC Berkeley, Cal Alumni Pride, the scholarships recognize students who have demonstrated leadership and community involvement, and who are LGBT or supportive of LGBT issues. All undergrads, regardless of gender identity or orientation, are encouraged to apply if they meet the eligibility requirements. Applications are due in September (calalumnipride.org; Cal Alumni Pride, PO Box 193531, San Francisco, CA 94119; scholarship@calalumnipride.org; 510/642-1720).
Student groups
The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer student organizations available at Cal is quite dynamic (check Student Organizations). The Cal LGBTIQ, and allies of, community wants you to get involved! Getting involved means new friends, new experiences, and greater knowledge. The Cal LGBTIQ community flourishes on the interests and contributions that students bring when they get involved in activities, socials, and volunteering. There are many ways to help out that vary according to level of student commitment. Visit cll.berkeley.edu for the most updated list, or stop by the Queer Alliance & Resource Center (305 Eshleman Hall) or the Gender Equity Resource Center (202 Cesar Chavez) to find out about informal LGBTIQ groups.
The Queer Alliance & Resource Center (QARC) is a student organization that provides Cal students with a friendly space where they can find more information about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-related services and activities on campus and in the surrounding community. QARC organizes activities on campus including a weekly meeting, Queer Awareness Days, dances, socials, National Day of Silence, and National Coming Out Day. QARC is a friendly, relaxed place to hang out, eat lunch, or study. They have LGBTIQ-related magazines and other resources. QARC’s website provides information about LGBT events, housing, classes, student groups, and other resources both on campus and in the Bay Area (queer.berkeley.edu; 305 Eshleman Hall).
Queer Grads provides a community for queer graduate students and their peers without a particular disciplinary focus. The three main foci are: informational referrals and aid in navigating University services for LGBTIQ graduate students; providing an arena for activism and substantive intellectual discussion; and providing opportunities for LGBTIQ social networking. To subscribe, send a message to: majordomo@lists.berkeley.edu with the words “subscribe queergrads” in the body of the email.
Religious groups
Bisexual, lesbian, and gay Catholics meet every first and third Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm at Newman Hall (calnewman.org; 2700 Dwight Way; LGBT_Newman@yahoo.com; 510/663-6302).
Support services
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) can help students who are dealing with sexual identity concerns, coming out, interpersonal relationships, and the effects of homophobia and prejudice. Working with a counselor in a confidential, interactive, and nonjudgmental atmosphere can aid self-understanding and assist with coping with these concerns. CPS offers individual and couples counseling for LGBT students (uhs.berkeley.edu/Students/medical/gaystudents.shtml; uhs.berkeley.edu/Students/medical/transgender.shtml; Tang Center; 2222 Bancroft Way; 510/642-9494).
Publications include:
University Health Services: A Guide for Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Students
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Programs and Services, a program within the Gender Equity Resource Center, provides the campus community with information, support services, and educational forums for and about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer people. They work closely with campus departments and student groups to provide a safe and welcoming campus environment for persons of all genders and sexual orientations. They assist members of the Cal community with information and resources regarding gender transition. Ongoing educational workshops include the Cal Ally Program and co-sponsored events during the year such as Transgender and Intersex Awareness Days, Queer Awareness Days, National Coming Out Day, and The Lavender Graduation Celebration. Internships are available. Transgender and gender-queer students, faculty, and staff may contact GenEq regarding T-Cal listserve (geneq.berkeley.edu; Gender Equity Resource Center, 202 Cesar Chavez Student Center; lgbt@berkeley.edu; 510/643-0788).
Cal Alumni Pride (CAP)is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) alumni club of the University of California, Berkeley. CAP supports and promotes the interests of UC Berkeley and its alumni, with an emphasis on issues and interests specific to the LGBT community. Membership is open to Cal alumni and friends. Please visit CAP online at calalumnipride.org or join CAP on facebook and linkedin (Cal Alumni Pride, PO Box 193531, San Francisco, CA 94119; 510/642-1720).
The California Alumni Association (CAA) Cal Mentorship Program grants UC Berkeley students access to an online database where students may select one or more Cal alumni member as a mentor. Search criteria include: career experience, cultural identity, area of study, campus group affiliation, and more (alumni.berkeley.edu/mentor).
The Pacific Center for Human Growth in Berkeley provides low-cost, drop-in groups and ongoing peer counseling, and is the East Bay’s information hub for community resources, publications (like The Lavender Pages), and social events (pacificcenter.org; 2712 Telegraph Avenue; 510/548-8283).
Free Bay Area publications:
The San Francisco Bay Times, a biweekly newspaper that covers queer issues (copies available at the Gender Equity Resource Center, 202 Cesar Chavez Student Center).
The Lavender Pages, a phonebook-style publication with resources, businesses, and essays (copies available at the Pacific Center, 2712 Telegraph Ave).