LGBTQIA+ Resources

Coming out is a journey, not a destination, that is different for everyone. The combination of your identities and experiences is unique to you and your process. You are not alone!

There are many resources at Washington University that exist in order to create space for you to navigate your identities, question openly, and be your authentic self, including peer mentorship, a free LGBTQIA* retreat, student groups, and regular programming and events. In addition, there are many online resources and books that can be helpful to you.

Undergraduate Student LGBTQIA+ Resources

Pride Alliance

Pride Alliance is a multi-focus LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, genderqueer, bi, transgender,
queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, aromantic) organization open to all Washington University students regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression. As an educational and advocacy network for the LGBTQIA+ community on campus, Pride Alliance collaborates with other groups at WashU and in the broader St. Louis community to create inclusive, intersectional and safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ students. We organize diverse social, activist and educational events such as Suite Sundays, Bi Visibility Week, Trans Awareness Week, Gender-Inclusive Clothing Swap, Pride Picnic, Gayla, Drag Show, Open Mic Night and monthly General Body Meetings to provide a supportive and stimulating environment for students to meet new people, form friendships, and gain confidence in their identities.

WashU Pride Alliance on Facebook
WashU Pride Alliance on Instagram
WashU Pride Alliance on Twitter
WashU Pride Alliance email

WashU Athlete Ally

Our goal is to foster an athletic community @ WashU that prioritizes inclusion and respect for all athletes, fans, coaches, and staff regardless of identity.

WashU Athlete Ally on Instagram
WashU Athlete Ally email

oSTEM@WashU

oSTEM@WashU is the Washington University chapter of oSTEM. oSTEM, or Out in STEM, is a national organization that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, and ally students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With over 100 current chapters nationwide and growing, oSTEM is the largest national organization of its kind. We support our members through activism, professional, and social events, and an annual national conference.

oSTEM@WashU on Facebook
oSTEM@WashU on Instagram
oSTEM@WashU email

Open
Open provides a safe, supportive space for those at all stages of coming out and meets every two weeks during the school year.

WashU Open email

Safe Zones
Safe Zones is a peer facilitation group that educates and fosters discussion around LGBTQIA* issues in order to promote the development of a more open and inclusive university community. We have trained a variety of groups and communities on campus, including freshman floors, RAs, Greek Life organizations, sports teams, Pre-Orientation programs, and several others.

WashU Safe Zones email

Transcending Gender
Transcending Gender (TG) is a student-run group that offers a safe space for individuals who wish to discuss and find support for their gender identity or expression. TG is open to individuals who identify as trans*, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, or who are questioning their gender identity. TG also seeks to aid other student groups in the efforts to educate the campus about trans* experiences and issues.

WashU Transcending Gender email

WashU Ace & Aro
WashU Ace & Aro is a student group focused on discussing asexual, aromantic and related topics, creating a sense of community for students who identify as asexual, aromantic and related identities, and raising awareness of what asexuality is. We are an open group to undergraduate students who identify as asexual, aromantic or a related identity, allies and people who are interested about these topics regardless of identity.

WashU Ace & Aro email

Graduate Student LGBTQIA+ Resources

OUTgrads
About OUTgrads is the university-wide LGBTQ+ group dedicated to developing community among WUSTL graduate and professional students, faculty, and staff of all genders and sexual orientations, to promoting awareness of the issues that affect our communities, and to facilitating community involvement by our membership. We are especially concerned with promoting interdepartmental dialogue, providing support for graduate and professional students both socially and in their professional development, and encouraging advocacy on our campus and in the St. Louis area.

WashU OUTgrads on Facebook
WashU OUTgrads email

WashU Athlete Ally
Our goal is to foster an athletic community @ WashU that prioritizes inclusion and respect for all athletes, fans, coaches, and staff regardless of identity.

WashU Athlete Ally on Instagram
WashU Athlete Ally email

Brown School Sexuality and Gender Alliance
SAGA is the Brown School of Social Work and Public Health group focused on issues of sexuality and gender. Its mission is to foster a sense of community through social and educational programming, while applying a critical and intersectional lens to issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community.

Brown School Sexuality and Gender Alliance on Facebook
Brown School Sexuality and Gender Alliance email

Olin Business School BranchOut
We are the graduate LGBTQ student group at Washington University in Saint Louis’ Olin Business School, providing support and resources for our members.

Olin Business School BranchOut on Instagram

oSTEM@WashU
oSTEM@WashU is the Washington University chapter of oSTEM. oSTEM, or Out in STEM, is a national organization that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
questioning, intersex, asexual, and ally students interested in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics. With over 100 current chapters nationwide and growing, oSTEM is the largest national organization of its kind. We support our members through activism, professional, and social events, and an annual national conference.

oSTEM@WashU on Facebook
oSTEM@WashU on Instagram
oSTEM@WashU email

OUTLaw
OUTLaw is an educational, political, and social alliance of law students interested in working with Washington University and the surrounding community towards fostering and maintaining an environment that is supportive, positive, and safe for LGBTQ+ individuals. In striving for a greater understanding of sexuality and gender issues at the law school and within the affiliated communities, OUTLAW aims at addressing the legal issues associated with sexual and gender diversity and provides resources and support for social activism.

WashU OUTLaw on Facebook
WashU OUTLaw on Twitter

OUTmed
OUTmed is an organization for LGBTQIA-identified faculty, residents, fellows and staff at Washington University School of Medicine. OUTmed is supported by the Department of Medicine, and is open to members of the entire School of Medicine, regardless of departmental affiliation.
LGBTQ+ Med
LGBTQ+ Med is the Washington University School of Medicine student-run interest group dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) identity
and health.

WashU LGBTQ + Med email

LGBTQIA+ Programs Resources

Destination Q Retreat
Destination Q is a free two-day, overnight retreat for undergraduate students engaged in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and ally (LGBTQIA*) communities at Washington University to explore leadership and identity development. Not only do students build connections and meet others who hold similar identities, they learn more about the different experiences within their community. Through community and small groups, social justice and leadership dialogue, story-sharing, and reflection, students learn about themselves, growing in self-awareness as leaders, community members, and stewards. Participants apply using the application form and are then placed into small groups during their experience in order to build closer relationships and connect with a peer mentor who leads their group.

Lavender Leaders
Lavender Leaders is a new leadership experience offered by Campus Life and geared towards LGBTQIA+ students looking to build mentorship and career development for life after WashU. Mentees will be paired with mentors that identify as either a WashU faculty, staff, or graduate students and attend professional development sessions that support their growth as Queer leaders of the future. More details to come! For any questions about Lavender Leaders, please contact Travis Tucker.

Lavender Recognition Ceremony
The Lavender Recognition ceremony honors the achievements and contributions of graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer students and their allies. Originating in 1995 at the University of Michigan and created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, the first Lavender Graduation ceremony provided a benchmark for future innovations on these remarkable celebrations. Lavender Graduation, sometimes colloquially referred to as “LavGrad,” honors LGBTQIA students by bringing together members of their communities to celebrate the accomplishments of graduates, with particular honor and recognition for the ways in which sexuality and gender have influenced their paths toward graduation.

James M. Holobaugh Honors Ceremony
The annual Holobaugh Honors Ceremony recognizes Washington University students, staff and faculty, and St. Louis community members who live and lead authentically and perform direct advocacy and service to LGBTQIA* communities. Holobaugh Honors celebrates many forms of LGBTQIA* leadership, including artistic expression, trailblazing activism, academic exploration, dedication to education, demonstrated commitment to intersectionality, relationship- and bridge-building, and emerging leadership. Any member or organization of the Washington University community and/or St. Louis community, past or current, is eligible to receive the award. Holobaugh Honors is comprised of seven awards that celebrate different types of contributions to LGBTQIA* leadership.

Helpful Reading

Books

  • “Is it a Choice?”
  • Charles Blow’s new memoir, Fire in my Bones
  • Daisy Hernandez, Cup of Water Under my Bed
  • Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Aren’t the Only Fruit
  • Imogene Binnie, Nevada
  • Andrew Tobias, Best Little Boy in the World

Online Resources