USU LGBT+, Ally Programming To Be Highlighted by Campus Pride

Utah State University's LGBT+ and Ally programming will be highlighted as among the best in the nation by Campus Pride in a listing to be published on LGBT+ Center Awareness Day, Oct. 19.

"By being acknowledged by Campus Pride, it shows how much Utah State University has changed to be more inclusive of its students, staff, and faculty," said Erika-Danielle Lindström, USU's LGBT+ and Ally coordinator. "There is still much more work to be done and it has been inspiring to see the collective work of numerous individuals on this campus to be committed to DEI endeavors."

USU student Petra Culpepper recommended the Inclusion Center for a place on the Campus Pride list, calling it "the safest place on campus."

“I am incredibly thankful for the knowledge that there are peers who are understanding and loving, and especially for the staff who are fighting for equality," Culpepper said. "I’m so proud to hear of the progress that USU has made for the betterment of their student community.”

Doctoral student Niyonta Chowdhury said places of safeness can be "all the more meaningful" for people with intersecting, minoritized identities, especially in predominately White and religiously conservative areas like Utah.

“The Inclusion Center and the Queer Student Alliance has, for the past four years, provided this place and space of comfort, of belonging and of being loved regardless of my identities and because of my ideologies,” Chowdhury said.

In addition to the LGBT+ Center Awareness Day recognition, in recent years Campus Pride audited tools and resources for LGBT+ students, staff and faculty at and increased USU's score in its index to a 4 out of 5.

"I want this to be something that starts the momentum for something more," Lindström said of the Campus Pride Index improvement.

The score's improvement to 4 is a reflection of USU's established efforts as well as its commitment to inclusion, Lindström said, noting the university's addition of Jane Irungu as its first VP for diversity, equity & inclusion last year.

Improvements and new programs notwithstanding, Lindström said, such structural changes can be made more quickly than more comprehensive cultural changes.

"Although our Campus Pride score is up because we're removing some of these systematic barriers," Lindström said, "we still have to keep challenging the culture and the climate so that we can continue to keep doing better."

Some of USU's LGBT+ initiatives include:

Gender Transition Guide

USU's Gender Transition Guide gathers information and resources to aid in what can be a complex process.

The guide includes information on how to update a student's name and pronouns, tips for coming out and transitioning at work, templates for notifying professors of updated names and pronouns, and more.

Many of USU's policies allow students to update their names in student records and on their diplomas even before updating their legal documents, a process which can take years to complete.

LGBT+ Allies on Campus Voluntary Training

The Inclusion Center regularly conducts voluntary 2-hour LGBT+ Allies on Campus Trainings, familiarizing people with information on campus resources, common issues LGBT+ communities face, and more. Each participant can sign a pledge and receive an Ally on Campus sticker.

Trans Allies on Campus Voluntary Training

This 2-hour voluntary training focuses more specifically on gender identity and the several identities under the trans umbrella. Participants will learn more about common terminology, transphobia and other issues trans individuals face, and will receive a free trans ally sticker and handbook.

For more information on the ally trainings, visit the the Inclusion Center's website.

Study & Social Lounge

Room 313B in the Taggart Student Center offers a space for LGBT+ students and allies to socialize and study, with a kitchenette and fridge, microwave, computers, free printing and more.

The lounge is open to allies as well as LGBT+ students in keeping with the Inclusion Center's mission, Lindström said.

"You do not have to identify within a specific affinity," Lindström said. "We are here to serve all students, and so this can be something where students want to learn more about a different culture or experience. They can find that here. We offer leadership development.

All-Gender Restroom Map

The online campus map now has an option to show every all-gender restroom, information that can be helpful for nonbinary and trans people, for families with young children, and more.

The Inclusion Center maintains a list of LGBT+ friendly health care providers. For more information, visit the Inclusion Center's website.

Lavender Graduation

The center hosts a Lavender Graduation ceremony to recognize LGBT+ and ally students and their contributions to the campus. Attendance at the ceremony is free, and LGBT+ students and allies will receive a free lavender sash that has been authorized to wear with graduation regalia at commencement. Contact Lindström at Erika.lindstrom@usu.edu for more info.