LGBTQ+ Alliance provides students at WSU and within the community with a forum for the issues relating to sexual orientation and sexuality and provides a place to socialize and plan campus programs. Members of LGBTQ+ Alliance aim to encourage understanding and acceptance of members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Health Services is a confidential, on-campus resource that provides students with accessible, convenient, and affordable health care. Clinical staff includes nurse practitioners and physicians from the UMass Medical/UMass Memorial Health System working in affiliation with Worcester State University. Health Services provides a safe, caring environment for LGBTQ+ students. The staff is committed to addressing the health needs of LGBTQ+ students. Services include: support, medical care and community referral.

Examples of care include:

• Chest/breast exam
• Pelvic exam and pap test/cancer screening
• Testicular/genital exams
• Sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment
• Sexual health counseling
• Laboratory hormone checks
• Care coordination, including referrals for gender-affirming care

As a confidential resource, Health Services utilizes a separate system to collect student demographics. In this system, students have the option to note their chosen name and pronouns. The student’s legal name will be utilized on the medical record.

Students can access a list of community based LGBTQ+ Health Resources on the Health Services webpage.

The Counseling Center is a confidential, on-campus resource that assists students in coping with personal issues that interfere with their personal and academic development and sense of well-being. LGBTQ+ students may face stressors that differ from those of their peers. Counselors are available to treat a wide-variety of LGBTQ+ student concerns, including:

• Anxiety or depression
• Communicating identity or gender to others
• Establishing safety and support networks
• Healing from trauma which has resulted from expressed or assumed gender identity, gender expression, or sexuality
• Navigating sexual health and healthy relationships
• Referrals for additional treatment or services

Following intake paperwork and an initial evaluation, counselors will work with LGBTQ+ students to assess the level of services the student needs. This may include weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly appointments, as well as referrals to community resources.

As a confidential resource, the Counseling Center utilizes a separate data system to collect student demographics. In this system, students have the option to note their chosen name and pronouns. The Counseling Center will utilize a student’s chosen name except for when their legal name is required on legal documents.

The Counseling Center provides services to fully matriculated, undergraduate students and is located on the third floor of the Student Center. To make a counseling appointment, please call 508-929-8072, or you may email the Counseling Center at counseling_wsu@worcester.edu.

Starting in Fall 2019, students, faculty, and staff have the option of indicating a chosen name, personal pronouns, and gender identity. Please see the policy for more information.

Worcester State University encourages students, faculty, and staff to use the restroom they feel most comfortable using. Single-use restrooms are also available throughout campus.

Worcester State University offers gender-inclusive housing for students. Please see the Residence Life FAQs for more information.

The following faculty and staff have participated in Safe Space Training and are a resource for LGBTQ+ students seeking a safe space to talk.

The following courses incorporate LGBTQ+ content:

CM-350 Intercultural Communication:

Introductory communication theory and practice across cultural groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, nationality, politics, and economics.

HE-230 Human Sexuality and Sex Education:

Focus on the need for and understanding of sex education, along with the process of implementing sexuality education, with emphasis upon teacher preparation.

PH-254 Feminist Theory:

Examines the development of feminist ideas and movements from the 18th century to the present, in the US and, particularly in recent decades, globally. A close analysis of Second Wave, Postmodern, and Black Feminist ideas are studied as a basis for writings and social action that attends to issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality, using intersectional methodologies and critiques to address issues of reproduction and health, labor and economic power, violence, and state power.

UR-280 The Queer City:

This course is an introduction to the study of same-sex sexualities, their meanings and social organizations, across cultures and through time. The materials for the course are drawn from an array of disciplines, from biology to history, but center upon cultural and urban anthropology. Students will learn to think critically about the role of culture and society in the construction of genders and sexualities worldwide with an emphasis on urban contexts.

Worcester State University is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students that is free from all forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, gender-based discrimination, and stalking. Worcester State University prohibits discrimination against any individual based on sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation, and is committed to protecting people of all gender and sexual identities from harassment and discrimination as expressed in our university policies (Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan).

If you have experienced any form of sexual violence or discrimination based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, please contact the Director of Title IX, Jennifer Quinn to report the incident and receive any support and guidance that may be needed.

More resources can be found on the Title IX page.

The Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) is responsible for providing a comprehensive approach to addressing incidents of bias that challenge the university’s mission, core values, civility policies, Policy Against Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment and Retaliation, and efforts toward improving campus climate. BIRT is comprised of faculty, staff, and students who represent various divisions, departments, and disciplines and are committed to creating a safe and welcoming campus environment.

Bias Incidents

Any conduct, speech, or expression that is directed against or toward an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics of race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status. These acts are primarily motivated by prejudice or hatred that demeans and/or harasses others based upon their membership in a protected category.

All members of the WSU community who experience or witness a bias incident should immediately report the incident via the Bias Incident Reporting. All reports of bias incidents are directed to the EO Officer and/or their designee(s) and then taken to the BIRT.

PFLAG of Greater Worcester is a local chapter of the national organization PFLAG - Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

https://www.worcesterpflag.org/

Worcester Pride recognizes, promotes, educates and unifies the Central Massachusetts LGBTQ+ community, allies and supporters.

https://www.worcesterpride.org/

MassEquality is the leading statewide grassroots advocacy organization working to ensure that everyone across Massachusetts can thrive from cradle to grave without discrimination and oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

http://www.massequality.org/

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is dedicated to ending oppression and discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression.

https://www.masstpc.org/

We are Safe Homes, a program supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people, and their straight allies, between the ages of 14 and 23. The group is led by youth peer leaders, professional staff, and volunteers who offer support, resources, and opportunities for socialization in a safe and nurturing environment.

http://www.safehomesma.org/

LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader in Worcester, providing care to LGBTQ+ youth and adults, including providing gender affirming hormone therapy and trans health care.

https://www.kennedychc.org/

Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.

https://www.glad.org/

The National Center for Transgender Equality advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people. In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice.

https://transequality.org/

GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and all sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, and equality for LGBTQ/SGM health professionals in their work and learning environments.

https://www.glma.org/

Trans Lifeline

Crisis support for trans people: 877-565-8860

Trevor Project

Crisis support for LGBTQ+ people, ages 13 – 24: 866-488-7386

Trevor Space

Social networking site for LGBTQ+ and questioning people ages 13 – 24: https://www.trevorspace.org/