Photo courtesy of Blake Bonkowski

Oakland University’s Gender and Sexuality Center hosts Pride Month each March to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community feels welcomed on campus and celebrated.

This year, OU’s Pride Month began on March 11. The center has already put on an array of events to celebrate. Following a 90s theme, the GSC had its annual B-B-Queer and Drag Show on March 19. 

“Coming up is Pride Prom, which is designed for those of us who didn’t have good experiences at our high school proms,” Lyle Chalker, a peer mentor at the GSC, said. “There’s Lavender Graduation [which requires registration], and there’s going to be a book club event.” 

Chalker serves not only as a peer mentor but also works at the GSC’s front desk as an intern. They are majoring in social work during their time at OU. 

When one enters the GSC, they are met by boundless posters and graphics letting them know that they belong and informing them of services they can receive via the GSC. 

During Pride Month and beyond, the GSC focuses on the retention and comfort of LGBTQ+ students. Honoring that goal comes with objectivity and honesty. 

“Although retention is the goal, ultimately the goal is for students to get their needs met,” Chalker said. “There are times when we have to let them know if OU is not the right setting for them.” 

When OU is the right setting for students, which it is more often than not, the GSC checks in with students on the other facets of college life. 

“Some of the things we do is check in on their needs on food, how they’re doing with their activities of daily living, and especially with how they’re doing in their classes,” Chalker said. “ A lot of the struggle is with classes and grades. We try to come up with solutions for this.”

The GSC has made copious improvements to deliver on providing these services to students. The center has recently made the move to 104J North Foundation Hall, having previously been housed in the Oakland Center.

The GSC serves as a “hangout” spot for students and feedback has shaped how that space looks as well. Previously using overhead fluorescent lights, the GSC made the switch to lamps because, according to Chalker, a lot of people had trouble dealing with the fluorescent lights. 

The GSC has also improved its lending library. While Kresge Library provides the OU community with a wide range of materials, the GSC has a collection tailored to LGBTQ+ topics and concerns. 

“Our lending library has expanded dramatically,” Chalker said. “We have a huge lending library and it’s organized by disabilities, lesbian stories, trans, different categories and different sections.” 

Still, further improvements and expansion, largely done in the name of inclusivity, remain a topic of focus for the GSC. 

“[We strive on] continuing to make it more accessible, continuing to make a more inclusive space, and continuing to hold more social and educational events for and with our students,” Chalker said. 

Students can learn more about the GSC’s Pride Month on its Linktree.