Important information for UVM Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Advocate Affiliates New to Campus

---

1) Advocacy and Support 2) Community 3) On-campus Resources 4) Off-campus Resources 5) LGBT Curriculum 6) LGBTQA On-campus Activities and Events Print Version

1) Advocacy and Support

Non-discrimination Policy
Both sexual orientation and gender identity/expression are included in UVM's non-discrimination policy. Also the city of Burlington and the State of Vermont prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Domestic partner benefits-such as health insurance-are available to UVM staff and faculty who are either married or have a Civil Union including same-sex partners.

LGBT-related Bias Incidents
At the same time, Burlington was nominated in 2001 as one of the Gay-Friendliest small cities by PlanetOut.com. UVM has a bias protocol to deal with incidents of bias within the University and larger Burlington Community. Details can be found online at: www.uvm.edu/~aaeo.

University Response to Bias Incidents
UVM takes all incidents of anti-LGBT bias and harassment seriously. Students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to report bias incidents to Police Services or any office in the Diversity and Equity Unit, the ALANA Student Center, LGBTQA Services, the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity, and the Women's Center.

President's Commission on LGBT Equity
The mission of the President's Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Equity is to make recommendations to the President, acting as a catalyst and advocate in ensuring equity for members of the LGBTQA community, and addressing sexual orientation and gender identity issues throughout the University. Ensuring a safe, positive, fully engaging university experience for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and staff enriches the campus community.

Diversity and Equity Unit
The Diversity and Equity Unit reports to the Chief Diversity Office and is comprised of six units: Abenaki Outreach Program, Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity Office (AAEO), ALANA Student Center, Center for Cultural Pluralism, LGBTQA Center, and The Women's Center. Its mission is to engage the University community if a collaboration to create an environment of social justice, inclusion, and equity, and, in so doing, help facilitate the actualization oft he vision of the University as a divers premier public research university

Supportive Faculty & Staff
The University of Vermont has a visible, strong and vibrant LGBTQA community including an active LGBTQ ally presence . Many faculty
and staff publicly display rainbow cards that say, Affirming, or Ally: Safe Space, Safe Person. LGBTQA Services distributes
Affirming cards at trainings and workshops.

Back to Top

Free To Be
UVM's LGBTQA student alliance, entirely student run and recognized by the Student Government Association (SGA). Free To Be's mission is "to actively work on creating a safe space for people of all sexualities, gender icentities, and individualities within ourselves and the GLBTA and UVM communities. The club welcomes everyone who is interested and has many members who are allies. It is active throughout the year, with events drawing anywhere from 40 to 300 people. Contact: free2b@uvm.edu.

Hearts Not Parts
Hearts Not Parts is a Bisexual/Pansexual/Ally. Meetings are relaxed, ranging from informal discussions to fun games. Contact: christine.dolan@uvm.edu.

LGBTQA Drop-in Center
The LGBTQA Drop-in center provides a cozyretreat for studying, games and groupactivities. The center houses the LGBTQA lending library. Contact: lgbqt@uvm.edu.

QPOC (Queer People of Color) is a support group for students, faculty, and staff at the University of Vermont who identify as queer people of color. QPOC was developed with the guidance of both the LGBTQA Center and the ALANA Student Center, recognizing that it is crucial to address the intersections of identities that this group inherently possesses. This group serves as a way to openly engage in dialogues around what it means to be both queer and a person of color. The intersection of race and sexual identity is openly addressed through dialogues, film screenings, and informal conversations. QPOC ultimately serves as an outlet for queer people of color to come together several times a semester and develop a strong community at UVM Contact: qpoc@uvm.edu.

The Women's Center
The Women's Center supports all facets of women's lives -- the social, professional, spiritual, physical, intellectual & emotional. We empower women and their allies to become active leades and global clitizens in their communities. The Center advocates, educates and provides direct service and resources in support of gender equity and safety. Contact: women@uvm.edu.

The Unity Lounge
The Unity Lounge, located on the Third floor of the Davis Center, is committed to building inclusive environments that embrace the diverse and intersecting identities of our community members at UVM.

Back to Top

Center for Cultural Pluralism
The Center for Cultural Pluralism (CCP) is dedicated to helping UVM achieve its core mission to provide quality multicultural education in order to equip faculty, staff and students with the competencies necessary to function in a diverse world. The Center focuses on the intersections of issues of culture and social justice. CCP is aware of LGBTQA issues and works actively to address them.

Counseling Centers
The Counseling Centers are committed to providing LGBTQ-sensitive counseling and actively work to educate themselves in LGBT-related topics. Services are free and confidential. LGBTQA Services can offer additional resources and guidance.

Gender Neutral Restrooms
There are over 40 gender neutral restrooms on campus, not including those in resident halls.

Housing
Residential Life provides several housing options for LGBTQA students who are looking for safer space and/or LGBT community in the Res Halls.
If you are a transgender or transsexual student who has specific access needs to live in a residence hall, please contact Stacey Miller, the Director of Residential Life, at stacey.miller@uvm.edu or 656-3434. Residential Life has identified several trans-friendly housing options that include single-user, gender neutral restroom and shower facilities.

For LGBTQA students who have specific concerns, contact Residential Life Director Stacey Miller at 656-3434 or stacey.miller@uvm.edu. If you're a transsexual, transgender, or gender-variant student looking for trans-accessible housing on-campus, read more here.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Advocate (LGBTQA) Center
As the LGBTQA Center our purpose is to join with others at UVM to: inspire personal growth and empowerment; nurture community; educate for social justice; and advocate for liberation—the freedom to live openly in an affirming community—for all people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning, and everyone who aspires to be their advocates.

We envision an inclusive learning community that nurtures LGBTQA individuals and listens to LGBTQA voices.  We see a university experience that liberates people who are LGBTQA to become their authentic selves, valued as partners in the pursuit of academic excellence, global stewardship, and equity.

We host numerous events and manages several listservs. The lending library and drop-in center are located on the first floor. Located at 461 Main St. in the Allen House, the LGBTQA Center features the David Bohnsett CyberCenter, complete with eight internet-ready computers and free printing. Contact: LGBTQA Center@UVM, (802) 656-8637, or e-mail lgbtqa@uvm.edu.

Back to Top

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington
Burlington's LGBTQA open and affirming UU congregation. 862-5630.

Maitri Health Care for Women
A group of female health care providers (four doctors and a certified nurse midwife). 185 Tilley Drive, South Burlington. 862-7338

Outright Vermont
Vermont's queer youth organization, located in Burlington. 865-9677.

PRIDE Vermont
The folks who organize Burlington's annual LGBT Pride celebration in July. pridevermont@pridevermont.org.

R.U.1.2.? Queer Community Center
Burlington's LGBTQ community center. 860-7812. 34 Elmwood Avenue, Burlington.

SafeSpace
Provides support for LGBTQQ survivors of violence, located in Burlington. 863-0003.

Samara Foundation
A charitable non-profit organization.860-6236

The Hicks Foundation
Supports HPV education, testing and vaccination.

Vermont CARES
HIV prevention, education, services, and support. 863-2437. 361 Pearl Street, Burlington.

Vermont Women's Choice
Women's comprehensive health care facility. 23 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington. 863-9001

Back to Top

Sexuality and Gender Identity Studies (SAGIS)
Sagis is a full-fledged minor housed in the Women's and Gender Studies Program. SAGIS offers an opportunity for structured study of sexuality and gender identity in cultural contexts and creates an intellectual framework to help students build connections among courses on LGBT issues in various disciplines.

Back to Top