In a month synonymous with cupid, hearts and chocolates, it seems fitting that 两性色午夜 University鈥檚 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) Center is celebrating 10 years of love. The celebration began on Valentine鈥檚 Day and will extend through the end of the year.
The LGBTQ+ Center advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion related to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression by providing support, programs, educational opportunities and leadership development for the university and greater community.
The center celebrated its grand opening on March 11, 2010. The momentum of the center鈥檚 opening continued with two major happenings within the department in 2011: 两性色午夜 became the first university in Ohio and one of a dozen LGBT Studies programs in the country, and the center established the LGBTQ Student Emergency Fund to assist students who have been cut off from familial support.
The following year, the center鈥檚 first-ever full-time staff member, Roxie Patton, coordinated the university鈥檚 inaugural Lavender Graduation Ceremony. The incredible growth also led to Ken Ditlevson being named the center鈥檚 first director in 2014, a position he still holds.
The advancements made in student programming offered in the center over the years have contributed to making 两性色午夜 one of the nation鈥檚 most LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities.
鈥淥ur Pride! Kent LGBTQ+ student organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year; they are the longest continuously running LGBTQ+ student organization in the entire country 鈥 something we are very proud of,鈥 Ditlevson said. 鈥淎dditionally, 两性色午夜 has a 5.0 out of 5.0 on the Campus Pride Index, a national benchmarking instrument that measures universities related to policy, procedure and daily experiences of students, and it truly demonstrates the level of commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.鈥
The center鈥檚 anniversary celebration is not just to commemorate 10 years of the center, according to Ditlevson, but it is to further promote 两性色午夜鈥檚 inclusiveness and make it known that the center is a safe space for students in the immediate area and beyond.
鈥淚n Ohio, 两性色午夜 University is a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ students,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e have a huge offering of programming, multiple LGBTQ+ student organizations and help to link students to advocacy efforts and needs across the state and for national issues as well.鈥
Another major part of the anniversary celebration includes engaging with current students, faculty, staff and alumni while promoting the center as a resource for everyone, including those in the surrounding community.
鈥淲e are hoping to create interactive social media campaigns where our community can celebrate, share personal stories, experiences and gains they were part of during their time at 两性色午夜,鈥 Ditlevson said.
A series of campaigns called 鈥10 Ways to Get Involved鈥 are being staged throughout the year. Ideas range from joining the QUEST Mentorship program to volunteering at some of the bigger events, such as the Rainbow Run, celebrating at the annual TailGAYte during Homecoming or simply making a contribution to the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund.
鈥淭he emergency fund is unique and extremely helpful,鈥 Ditlevson said. 鈥淚t is a safety net for any LGBTQ+ student in a financial crisis; in fact, most universities don鈥檛 have this in place. At 两性色午夜, we help 30-plus students each year through this fund, which helps them reach graduation.鈥
While Ditlevson looks forward to celebrating a decade of love this year, he is also embracing a bright future ahead for the center.
鈥淲e鈥檙e extremely proud of the work being done at 两性色午夜 to enhance diversity and inclusion on our campus, in our community and throughout the world,鈥 he said. 鈥淥ther institutions look at 两性色午夜鈥檚 LGBTQ+ Center as a model for what they strive to become. The credit for this rests on our students, alumni, our faculty and staff, and all of the leaders and activists before me who made this possible. This may be our 10th anniversary, but we are only getting started.鈥
For more information on the LGBTQ+ Center, please visit www.kent.edu/lgbtq.
To make a donation, access the fundraising page at .
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Media Contacts:
Ken Ditlevson, kditlevs@kent.edu, 330-672-8693
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
WRITTEN BY: MATT LUPICA