The Lavender Lounge provides a vibrant and supportive community where individuals of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions thrive. We commit to providing comprehensive resources, fostering education, and promoting advocacy to create a safe and affirming space. Our mission is to champion equality, celebrate diversity, and empower individuals to live authentically, free from discrimination. Through collaboration, education, and unwavering support, we strive to create a campus where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can embrace their true selves with pride and confidence.
Inclusivity: Embracing diversity under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, our center values inclusivity as the cornerstone of its mission, fostering an environment where everyone feels welcome and respected.
Advocacy: Committed to promoting social change, our center actively engages in advocacy efforts to dismantle discrimination, fight for equal rights, and contribute to the creation of a more equitable society.
Education: Recognizing the power of knowledge, our center places a high value on education, striving to inform and raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues, fostering understanding, and dispelling myths and stereotypes.
Visibility: Building a strong sense of community is integral to our values, as we work to forge connections, celebrate shared experiences, and create a network of support that strengthens the LGBTQ+ community locally and beyond.
Lavender Lounge Resources:
- Rainbow Resilience: a peer support group led by the SU Counseling Center
- Leadership development in collaboration with peer educators
- Confidential conversations with peer educators
- Connection with our LGBTQ+ student organizations
- Q in Question, in collaboration with Sarah and DeLyn Celec
- A peer support group led by the Office of Spiritual Life
- Access to gender-inclusive housing, in partnership with the Office of Residence Life
- Support completing the Gender, Pronouns, and Campus Name form
- Connection to community resources for legal name and/or gender marker change requests
- Connection to resources offered by the Winchester, Virginia, LGBTQ+ Center
