Queer students (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)
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 Studies works to establish sexuality as a crucial category of analysis in the humanities and social sciences. It draws on disciplines such as 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 located in the Gender and Women’s Studies Department (womensstudies.berkeley.edu; 608 Barrows Hall; 510/643-2513).
Domestic partner privileges
Check Students with partners on page 56.
Housing
The Unity House: Exploring Diverse Genders and Sexualities Theme Program (UNITY) provides residents and other community members interested in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender 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 (housing.berkeley.edu/theme/unity.html; 2610 Channing Way; 510/642-3213).
The Wilde House is a coed co-op with accommodation for 38 students. It incorporates the issues and events of the gay, lesbian, and transgender student community. Run by residents, the house provides alternative, less expensive living in a fun and supportive atmosphere (usca.org/coops/osc.php; 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).
UCGALA Alumni Leadership Scholarship awards several $1500 scholarships based on undergraduate academic and leadership achievement, with preference to students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or active in gay issues. Applications are available in September (alumni.berkeley.edu/scholarships; Cal Alumni Association, Alumni House; 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, pages 85-89). The Cal LGBTIQ and allies community wants you to get involved. Getting involved means new friends, new experiences, and greater knowledge. The Cal LGBTIQ community flourishes on the interest 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, as well as other LGBTIQ-related 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; 510/643-UGAY).
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; 510/848-7812).
Support services
The California Alumni Association (CAA) Student-Alumni Mentorship Program is an online service for Berkeley students where they may choose a Cal grad as a mentor. Alumni can be chosen based on career experience, cultural background, area of study, sexual orientation, and association with specific campus groups (alumni.berkeley.edu/samp).
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 GLBTQ students (uhs.berkeley.edu/Students/medical/gaystudents.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 (LGBTIQ) 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. Some ongoing educational workshops include the Cal Ally Program and Queery; Cal LGBT Speakers Bureau; and co-sponsored events during the year such as Transgender & Intersex Awareness Days, National Coming Out Day, and The Lavender Graduation Celebration. Paid and academic 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).
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).