History

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a long history of working to create an inclusive environment for all students, staff and faculty. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified (LGBTQ) individuals deserve equal respect and treatment within the Carolina community, and they contribute an essential element to the diversity of the campus, enriching the intellectual and social life of the entire University.

2000 - 2006

The office’s creation is a result of many years of active work on the part of students, staff, and faculty who saw the need for a more centralized and visible space to serve the needs of LGBTQ students and issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity. In the fall of 2000, Provost Robert Shelton appointed a committee to review the UNC-Chapel Hill climate in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. The report identified several recommendations based on the findings, one of which was the creation of an LGBTQ Center. The LGBTQ Center at Carolina began in the spring of 2003 as a part of the Office of the Dean of Students called the LGBTQ office.

In July 2006, Provost Shelton and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Peggy Jablonski, created two full-time positions (director and assistant director) to lead a newly, established and administratively separate LGBTQ Center. The Center was tasked with providing programs, services, and resources to create a welcoming environment for all members of the UNC-Chapel Hill community.

2007 - 2013

In summer 2007, the LGBTQ Center moved from Steele Building to Student Academic Services Building (SASB) South.

During spring of 2009, a group of students and volunteers conducted a research project to create a timeline of LGBTQA advocacy and activism at UNC-Chapel Hill. The group's PowerPoint presentation is posted as a related link on this page.

During the 2012-2013 academic year, the LGBTQ Center had its five-year administrative review. The report applauded the value and quality of programs and services offered by the Center. It also identified existing areas about which the review committee was concerned (e.g., reduced access to the LGBTQ Center, funding concerns, and capacity concerns). This was also the year that the Center was granted its third full-time position: an administrative support specialist.

2014 - 2019

In 2018, the LGBTQ Center and The Graduate School partnered to support the work of the Queer Grads program (now called Queer Graduate and Professional Students or QGAPS). This brought a joint graduate assistant position which is co-supervised by directors of the Graduate Student Center and the LGBTQ Center.

2019 - Present

In 2019, the LGBTQ Center began operating entirely from donor contributions and partner support. Between fall of 2019 and spring of 2021, we had 4,407 people participate in Safe Zone, LGBTQ 101, and other educational programs. We also provided community connections for 2,416 social program attendees.

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