Students who identify within the LGBTQ+ community or who use other labels or choose not to identify with a label to express their sexual or gender fluidity face many pressures that their heterosexual and cisgender peers do not on college campuses.  Many of the common issues present include, but are not restricted to,

• Coming out
• Internalized heterosexism and cisgenderism
• Confronting and managing discrimination and oppression
• Exploration / Questioning of sexual or gender identity
• Navigating relationships with family, friends, roommates
• Integrating self within larger LGBTQ community
• Creating and maintain healthy relationships
• Integrating one’s sexual/gender identity into an overall identity

We recognize that seeking support and assistance can be difficult at times, particularly as many students experience concerns about the supportive nature of those resources.  There are support resources available at UNC Charlotte and in the greater Charlotte community for our LGBTQ students and many are listed below. 

Counseling & Psychological Services is one aspect of this support system and aspires to create a safe, affirming, accepting and welcoming environment that embraces all aspects of human diversity, including sexual and gender identity.  We also strive for social justice through increasing awareness of the effects of oppression, prejudice, and discrimination.   Our staff counselors are Safe Zone trained and there are a number of counselors on staff who have specialized experience in working with the individuals in the Trans* community.

Of particular note is our center’s LGBTQ Discussion/Support group, True Selves, that meets on Tuesdays 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM at Counseling & Psychological Services.  Please call our center for more information if interested (704‑687‑0311). 

Campus Resources

• Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement (https://identity.uncc.edu)
• Spectrum Student Organization (http://ninerengage.uncc.edu/organization/spectrum)
• QY1 (Cohort program for first year LGBTQ+ and allied students) (https://identity.uncc.edu/education/queer-year-1)
• Pride (organization open to all focused on LGBTQ+ students of color) (https://ninerengage.uncc.edu/organization/pride)
• Trans at UNC Charlotte (www.trans.uncc.edu)
• Safe Zone (www.safezone.uncc.edu)
• Academic Classes Offered (see https://womensandgenderstudies.uncc.edu/course-listings-and-descriptions for class times and descriptions)

Community Resources

• www.visitgaycharlotte.com
• Carolina Transgender Society  (http://carolinatransgendersociety.com/)
• Charlotte Gender Alliance (http://charlottegenderalliance.info/)
• Time Out Youth (http://www.timeoutyouth.org/)
• Transcend Charlotte (www.transcendcharlotte.org)

National Organizations and Resources

• Human Rights Campaign (http://www.hrc.org/)
• National Center for Transgender Equality (http://transequality.org/)
• Campus Pride (http://www.campuspride.org/)
• Transgender Law & Policy Institute (http://www.transgenderlaw.org/)
• The Trevor Project (http://www.thetrevorproject.org/)
• GLBT National Help Center (http://www.glnh.org/index2.html)
• A Guide for People Who Question Their Sexual Orientation (http://www.yoursexualorientation.info/)

Scholarship Information

The Nila and Stokley Bailey PFLAG Scholarship  (http://mrc.uncc.edu/scholarship)