On Tuesday, Aug. 20, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center at NC State welcomed new and returning students by hosting an open house. The open house followed the GLBT Symposium, the center’s first event of the new semester, on Aug. 18. Here, students were able to get acquainted with others who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as allies, faculty and staff.
The new director of the GLBT center, Jonathan McCorey, was at the open house getting to know the students attending. McCorey said he has been the director for the GLBT Center since May 15, 2019, and said he is excited to meet students and be a part of the NC State community.
“One thing that I have noticed about the school is the pride amongst students, staff and faculty in the school, so that has been very contagious,” McCorey said.
Additionally, McCorey said he was impressed by NC State’s attitude surrounding the GLBT Center.
“People are coming in to learn about using pronouns correctly, and I think those things are very progressive, so I am excited to join a team of people who want to make a difference for people,” McCorey said.
According to Andy DeRoin, assistant director for the GLBT Center, today’s open house, like many events put on by the center, was meant to assist students in building community. Students were served food and given swag bags and information about the student organizations.
“Open house is one of our main community builders,” DeRoin said. “After symposium, open house tends to draw in the most people, and it’s really just an opportunity for returning students to see each other again, meet new students, new students to meet each other again.”
The GLBT Center offers a variety of events for students, available on their website. According to DeRoin, the next big event being facilitated by the GLBT Center is an initiative to transport students to the pride festival in Durham on Sept. 28, which is later than most pride celebrations that normally occur in June.
“That tends to be one of the most developmental things that we do,” DeRoin said. “It’s like a rite of passage for people to go to pride, so we are really looking forward to that.”
Another staple event is the GLBT Holiday Potluck, which takes place right before students leave for Thanksgiving break. DeRoin said this event is significant for many students because it provides an additional sense of family and community before the holidays, which is particularly meaningful for students who may not be returning to welcoming family members.
“Our GLBT faculty and staff network actually sign up to bring some dishes and provide the food for the students and kind of a GLBT family-style event,” DeRoin said.
Both McCorey and DeRoin urge students who are interested in the GLBT Center to come and check it out. The center serves as a safe place for students who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as a space for allies to learn more.
