Groundbreaking of URI LGBTQ Center

By Amanda Lanzarini

The University of Rhode Island (URI) became the first institution in the country to design and build a free standing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Center. The LGBTQ Center was built on Wednesday April 16th at 10:00am on 19 Upper College Road for 2.1 million dollars. Its 4,300 square feet is to be used to provide a safe center for all members of the community while providing an open environment to speak comfortably about sexuality. Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee, URI President David M. Dooley, Chief Diversity Officer Naomi R. Thompson, LGBTQ Center Director Annie Russell and several students participated in the groundbreaking of the center, which was once the site of a vacant building known as the Ruggles House. It is a part of President Dooley's commitment "to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity thats part of our community now and will be in the future." This new building will clearly show our firm support for all members of the community," said President Dooley. The center will have a multipurpose room with a capacity of about 50, a conference room for about 20 people, a group counseling room, and a student lounge. It will also have a veranda in front for its roof to feature plants and flowers. There will be offices for the director, three staff members and student staff members as well. In constructing this building, we design a future at this institution for every person to be valued (and) cared for regardless of gender or sexual identity," said Annie Russell, director of the URI LGBTQ Center. The LGBTQ Center will be able to measure community participation, interest and approval of all events and programs. There were 1,200 visits to the current center located in Adams Hall last year and as of March 2014, more than 6,000 people already have been served through programs and visits to the center this year. The center was established by the Universitys permanent director, full time coordinator, parttime coordinator, and graduate assistant positions. It had 27 new programs, services, and groups started in 2011-2012 and added more than 50 more in fall 2012 for a total of 75 initiatives within just two years. More than 1,000 students and faculty have participated in Safe Zone 101 workshops since the fall semester in 2012. Safe Zone is based in a consultation and interactive workshop model that provides expertise in guiding units, departments and organizations as you increase awareness of LGBTQ issues and concerns and implement holistic and inclusive policies and practices. It hopes to increase knowledge of policies and laws related to LGBTQ issues, knowledge of vocabulary, concepts, and terms related to sexual orientation and gender identity, confidence for making appropriate referrals as needed, awareness of the negative impact of homophobia and heterosexism on all people, and comfort in acting as an ally on behalf of LGBTQ people.

The University of Rhode Island has been a comrade of the LGBTQ community for years, having made advancements in many areas. In Fall 2010, The LGBT+ Alumni & Friends Chapter was formed and the first formal budget for URI's LGBTQ Center was established. This planning process in place has achieved more than 15 national institutions and one international institution use URIs LGBTQ programs/services. An "It Gets Better" video was made as more than 100 participants were involved and were able to raise $8,000 in two weeks to fund this project. The video aired with tremendous success and was featured on Rhode Island PBS. The 20th anniversary of the LGBTQ Center Symposium was also held this year and featured the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church of America, Gene Robinson. It was one of several wellattended programs held during the symposium. An event called 20,000 Voices: Exploring Big Questions about Community, Equity, and Diversity at URI was also held in order to engage all members of the community in building the inclusive environment. The current staff of the LGBTQ Center located in Adams Hall has developed and uses a strategic planning process to build and track the success of its programs and initiatives. This year alone, the center has hosted more than 100 programs and participation is growing. The URI programs and approaches have been adopted by more than 15 institutions nationwide and one internationally. Health Services will also be more LGBTQ inclusive for students, faculty, and staff and include gender transition coverage in the student health plan beginning Fall 2014. Additional information can be found at the LGBTQ Centers website (web.uri.edu/gender-sexuality) or by contacting Annie Russell at annierussell@mail.uri.edu or at 401.874.2203.