The University’s new Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center had its grand opening yesterday in the Talley Student Center Lobby. Approximately 150 people came to celebrate the Center’s opening.
The Center is located in 1202C Talley Student Center and will employ one full-time staff member, director Justine Hollingshead, as well as a couple of graduate students who will work part-time in the office.
According to Hollingshead, the center will provide “programming, a place for students to come and feel welcome,” and different types of outreach and classes such as GLBT 101.
The Student Senate approved the GLBT Center last semester and the idea for it had been in talks a year prior, according to Student Body President Bobby Mills.
Hollingshead planned for about 40 people to show up to yesterday’s event, but said she was pleasantly surprised at the amount of supporters that showed up.
“I’m ecstatic about the turnout tonight,” Hollingshead said. “It’s not just faculty, staff and students of the [GLBT] community, but [friends and allies of the community].”
Matthew Schmunk, a senior in chemistry, attended the event and said he appreciates the N.C. State community’s support of the GLBT Center.
“I’m really amazed and proud that people care,” Schmunk said. “We had a good show of people and it’s good to see the different student groups that showed up.”
Though the Center’s opening came with opposition from some members of the University community, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Tom Stafford said NCSU has needed a GLBT center for a long time.
The Center now represents a step toward educating the community and providing information to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.
“I definitely think the Center is a good step,” Schmunk said. “It was the previous generation’s job to promote tolerance and now it’s our generation’s job to promote acceptance [of GLBT people],” Schmunk said.
Schmunk said he intends to use the Center’s resources in the future, as well as spread the word about it.
“I’ve actually made a lot of friends that work at the GLBT center,” Schmunk said. “I also plan to refer a friend who may be in the closet to the Center.”
Hollingshead stressed that the Center is not only for GLBT people, but is also for anyone who seeks information and a further understanding of the community.
“I encourage people to utilize the Center and let us know how to assist [them],” Hollingshead said.
