By Anastasia Landeros
The Student Health Center will host the LGBTQ+ & Questioning Student Discussion Group once a month in F5-211 from noon to 1 p.m.
The group, started by Student Health Center Coordinator Cecilia Cruz in spring 2017, aims to connect LGBTQ+ and questioning students with each other.
“Although I am the facilitator, my goal is to encourage students to talk to each other rather than to me,” said Cruz. She said that she started the group because when she arrived on campus in December 2006, there were no LGBTQ+ community gathering events.
“I wanted to create a space where LGBTQ+ students could come together regularly to create community, feel supported and talk about anything they want to talk about,” said Cruz.
Although time is limited during the hour-long discussion, Cruz said she lets student know about on-and-off campus resources as much as possible.
“I believe that knowing that resources and support exist, and having a safe space to talk with peers, is important to our students’ well-being and sense of belonging, which ultimately contributes to their academic success and overall success in life,” Cruz said.
The LGBTQ+ & Questioning student discussion group will meet for the first time this semester on Sept. 26. The group will also meet Oct. 30 and Nov. 28. Food will be provided to participants and no RSVP is required.
“It can be a great feeling to look around a table or room and know that everyone, or most of the people there, are LGBTQ+ and can relate to what you’re going through in a personal way,” said Cruz.
For more information on the LGBTQ+ & Questioning Student Discussion Group, contact Cruz at Cruzc3@elac.edu.