LGBTQIA+ Initiatives
Welcome to LGBTQIA+ Initiatives! The spaces and programs we create and sustain are developed to validate and affirm all orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, lack thereof, or combination of any of those social identities. If you have any questions regarding Q Functions, our QUEST mentorship program, or have any general questions regarding LGBTQIA+ Initiatives, please reach out to belonging@luc.edu. All messages will be considered confidential.
History
In 2006, the Center for Student Inclusion and Belonging (then Office of Student Diversity) held the first LGBTQ Awareness Week which was co-sponsored with other departments but was not repeated in following years. In an attempt to further our dedication to the LGBTQIA+ community, Safe Space Trainings were launched Fall 2011. Over the years, more programming was developed, and partnerships have been cultivated with student organizations such as Rainbow Connection. Fall 2012 saw the launch & rebranding of Q-Initiatives with the start of programming, such as, Q-Café, Q-Studies, Q-Films, & QTBIPOC. Fall 2017 was the beginning of TGNC programming, followed by the launch of the QUEST mentorship program in Fall of 2020.
Mission
Q-Initiatives (LGBTQIA+ Initiatives) are spaces and programs that center the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ students. These spaces are meant for discussing, singing, laughing, grieving, celebrating, and speaking out. Whether you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex or queer in any way, we invite you to share, listen, and build community with your peers and fellow community members.
Events
All of our events are open to all Loyola students! Follow us on Instagram, join our group on LUCommunity, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with our upcoming events.
Q-Functions
Q-Functions are our programming events that we host throughout the year. Programming is created by our undergraduate Q-Leaders and is an open space for Loyola students. Our events have ranged from conversations about boundaries with the Wellness Center to Drag Bingo, so make sure to keep an eye out for what we have coming up!
Q-Retreat
Q-Retreat is a weekend LGBTQIA+ Initiatives event that provides a brave space filled with meaningful dialogue, community building, workshops, forums, and educational engagement sessions among Loyola peers. This year we’ll be piloting a CSIB-wide retreat, bringing together all of our initiatives over one fun-filled weekend.
Q Committee Events
Q Committee Events are events that are centered on the lived experiences of QTBIPOC and TGNC Students. Open to All Ramblers.
Q-Grads
Q-Grads is an initiative aimed at connecting graduate, professional, and adult students to the LGBTQIA+ resources provided by CSIB and Loyola.
Safe Space Trainings
Safe Space Trainings are introductory workshops that aim to assist individuals who wish to support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community of Loyola University Chicago.
CSIB Network
CSIB Network is a way for former, current and future CSIB affiliated students, staff, faculty, and alumni to connect and create coalitions of support. The group includes discussion boards and networking opportunities such as speed mentoring. We hope that we can strengthen our already intersectional and help seeking community through this group!
Mentorship
QUEST (Queer Undergraduates of Empowerment, Support, and Triumph) is a year-long mentorship program for first-year and transfer students that centers the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Students will be matched with a faculty or staff member and one undergraduate student mentor. Through this mentorship program, we hope to create a larger sense of community and identity development. We invite those that may have shared experiences and personal expertise that align with supporting this community to join this opportunity.
QUEST Mentees will have the opportunity to:
- Be matched with a peer mentor and staff or faculty mentor throughout their first year at Loyola. All mentors are connected to Q-Initiatives and/or are staff and faculty with significant institutional knowledge and understanding of resources in support of the LGBTQ+ student experience.
- Engage in 1:1 monthly meetings with their mentors to build community, identify supports and resources, and engage in identity development.
- Participate in monthly engagements with the LGBTQIA+ Initiatives community centering identity development, social justice based dialogues, resources and supports, as well as topics of interest related to the student experience.
- Attend the annual overnight CSIB Retreat.
The QUEST Mentorship program and all other CSIB programming and initiatives are open to all Ramblers regardless of religion, race, color, sex, gender, or sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
Welcome to LGBTQIA+ Initiatives! The spaces and programs we create and sustain are developed to validate and affirm all orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, lack thereof, or combination of any of those social identities. If you have any questions regarding Q Functions, our QUEST mentorship program, or have any general questions regarding LGBTQIA+ Initiatives, please reach out to belonging@luc.edu. All messages will be considered confidential.
History
In 2006, the Center for Student Inclusion and Belonging (then Office of Student Diversity) held the first LGBTQ Awareness Week which was co-sponsored with other departments but was not repeated in following years. In an attempt to further our dedication to the LGBTQIA+ community, Safe Space Trainings were launched Fall 2011. Over the years, more programming was developed, and partnerships have been cultivated with student organizations such as Rainbow Connection. Fall 2012 saw the launch & rebranding of Q-Initiatives with the start of programming, such as, Q-Café, Q-Studies, Q-Films, & QTBIPOC. Fall 2017 was the beginning of TGNC programming, followed by the launch of the QUEST mentorship program in Fall of 2020.
Mission
Q-Initiatives (LGBTQIA+ Initiatives) are spaces and programs that center the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ students. These spaces are meant for discussing, singing, laughing, grieving, celebrating, and speaking out. Whether you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex or queer in any way, we invite you to share, listen, and build community with your peers and fellow community members.
Events
All of our events are open to all Loyola students! Follow us on Instagram, join our group on LUCommunity, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with our upcoming events.
Mentorship
QUEST (Queer Undergraduates of Empowerment, Support, and Triumph) is a year-long mentorship program for first-year and transfer students that centers the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. Students will be matched with a faculty or staff member and one undergraduate student mentor. Through this mentorship program, we hope to create a larger sense of community and identity development. We invite those that may have shared experiences and personal expertise that align with supporting this community to join this opportunity.
QUEST Mentees will have the opportunity to:
- Be matched with a peer mentor and staff or faculty mentor throughout their first year at Loyola. All mentors are connected to Q-Initiatives and/or are staff and faculty with significant institutional knowledge and understanding of resources in support of the LGBTQ+ student experience.
- Engage in 1:1 monthly meetings with their mentors to build community, identify supports and resources, and engage in identity development.
- Participate in monthly engagements with the LGBTQIA+ Initiatives community centering identity development, social justice based dialogues, resources and supports, as well as topics of interest related to the student experience.
- Attend the annual overnight CSIB Retreat.
The QUEST Mentorship program and all other CSIB programming and initiatives are open to all Ramblers regardless of religion, race, color, sex, gender, or sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.