ELENI KOPSAFTIS

Calling all LGBTQ+ firstyears! If you're wondering what resources and services are available to you campus, this guide is for you.

Here at the University of Guelph, you have several various options to connect with other members of the community and connect over shared experiences, pop culture, academics, and more. So without further ado, here is a list we've curated especially for the first-years in the LGBTQ+ community.

For all of the resources listed below, email outline@uoguelph.ca if you have any specific accessibility requirements.

Connections Newsletter is a great resource if you want to receive emails about all of the queer community opportunities and events on campus. To sign up, visit www.uoguelph. ca/studentexperience/lgbtq2ia and enter your email address under the ‘Subscribe to our Newsletter’ section.

As students navigate university life and their identity, the

Advisor offers support to all queer students. Whether it’s personal matters, gender and sexuality, homophobia and transphobia, mental health concerns, or academics, your advisor has access to all of the support you might need.

U of G’s current Sexual and Gender Diversity Advisor is Kyle Weitz. Their introductory blurb on their university webpage reads, “as someone who came out during university, I know how important community and supports can be. Reach out if you'd like to know more about resources and supports at the school or in the community, are looking for someone to listen or just want to chat!” You can contact them at kweitz@uoguelph.ca.

OUTline is a resource and support service hosted by U of G where you can ask questions and look for information on sexual orientation and gender identity. Through the online chat feature, you can confidentially chat with trained volunteers about queer-related topics such as coming out, exploring labels, and finding resources. If you’re using Google Chrome in an incognito window, you may need to enable cookies for the chat box to appear.

The service is available all week long from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the fall and winter semester. Because volunteers are mostly students, OUTline does not operate during reading breaks, final exam periods, or during the summer semester. You can find OUTline at www.uoguelph.ca/studentexperience/outline.

For a chance to connect with others and share your lived experiences as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, attend a session of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Weekly Discussion. Registration is required and open to both undergraduate and graduate students, and discussions alternate weekly between virtual and in-person formats. Plus, you can choose not to share your name or disclose any information about yourself.

Topics change every week but are always relevant to 2SLGBTQIA topics, and discussions start on Sept. 8 and end on Dec. 8. Discussions take place between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., and no session takes place during reading week. For more information, search for ‘2SLGBTQIA+ Weekly Discussion’ on www.gryphlife. uoguelph.ca.

CampOUT is a confidential social discussion space where students can connect with each other about sexual orientation, gender identity, and coming out. Attendees have the freedom to frame the discussion around themes that suit them, and they can participate at their own level of comfort. The lead facilitator is generally a student employee from the Sexual and Gender Diversity Office and also has lived experiences about coming out.

This fall, CampOUT takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.on Oct. 11 and Nov. 22. The online meeting space is private, and attendees are not required to provide any personal information. For trans undergraduates and graduates, the Trans Chat sessions are the perfect opportunity to connect and discuss lived experiences of the trans community. Discussions are facilitated by the OUTline program facilitator, and topics can range from anything from gender identity to pop culture. Although the event is open, registration is required and can be done by searching for ‘Trans Chat Fall 2022’ on www.gryphlife.uoguelph.ca. No personally-identifying information is required.

This fall semester’s Trans Chats take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m on Sept. 13 and Nov. 8.

Queer students of colour have a resource similar to Trans Chat called the QTBRS Student Social. Discussions about queer topics focus on nonwhite experiences, and attendees can socialize and even participate in weekly activities. As always, the space is confidential and no personal information is needed to sign up.

Discussion dates are from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 27 and Oct. 25. Search for ‘QTBRS Students' Social Fall 2022’ on www.gryphlife.uoguelph.ca to find registration details.

If you're a queer international student, don't worry, U of G has opportunities just for you. The

Students' Mix and Mingle is a chance for queer folks from all over the globe to meet and talk about their unique experiences with sexuality and gender. Although you and the other participants might come from different places, you may just relate to each other’s similar experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community, or you might get to learn something new.

For confidential registration, search for ‘2SLGBTQIA+ International Students' Mix and Mingle Fall 2022’ on www.gryphlife.uoguelph.ca. Discussions are from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 20 and Nov. 29.