LGBTQIA+ Resources
The Center for Diversity and Inclusion provides a number of resources and networks for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual and/or ally (LGBTQIA+) students.
Through direct support services, community spaces, student groups and course curricula, Davidson is committed to creating a community that welcomes and fosters mutual respect among all campus members.
Lavender Lounge
The LGBTQIA+ Lounge, affectionately known on campus as the Lavender Lounge, is located in Belk Residence Hall. The lounge is open to LGBTQIA+ students and their allies. The Lavender Lounge contains about 300 books, films, documentaries, TV shows and educational materials from advocacy organizations.
LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Guide
The LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Guide is a student-driven project implemented through Davidson College’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion. It is our collective hope that students can use this guide to easily access resources and support without stigma and minimal barriers so that queer and trans students can THRIVE on campus.
Gender Inclusive Restrooms
At Davidson College, we strive to promote inclusive spaces for our community members and visitors. To assist in this inclusivity, we offer a Gender Inclusive Restroom listing. Each of the restrooms on this list identifies unisex and single-stall restroom facilities. For questions or more information, please email cdi@davidson.edu.
Gender Inclusive Housing
The Residence Life Office (RLO) and the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) work together to provide Gender Inclusive Housing, a means to acknowledge and respect the various gender identities of our residents. The Residence Life Office makes it a priority for every student to feel welcome and safe in their living environment. Some students feel more comfortable in a living environment where students mutually agree to live in a housing area regardless of their gender identity. Gender Inclusive Housing offers a gender-integrated community to meet those needs. As such, students of different gender identities may share a room.
The Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) will reside in the rooms on the ground floor of Sentelle Residence Hall is available to sophomore, junior and senior students participating in the on-campus housing lottery. All students interested in this housing option must apply during the spring semester via an application provided by the Residence Life Office. The selection of the residents for the community will be a joint decision between the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and the Residence Life Office. Incoming students (first-year and transfer students) should contact the Residence Life Office for gender inclusive housing options at rlo@davidson.edu.
Curriculum
Gender and Sexuality Studies interdisciplinary major trains students to examine gender relations and the construction of gender and sexual difference from a globally-informed perspective and to consider how gender and sexuality intersect with the social categories of race, class, ethnicity, disability, and age to produce our complex social identities.
The Charles N. Williamson Endowment, created by Dr. Charles Nelson Williamson '64, promotes the learning and understanding of LGBTQ issues through curricular and co-curricular projects and programs. The Williamson Endowment is administered jointly through the Offices of the Dean of Students and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Career Development & Education Abroad
Betty and B. Frank Matthews II ’49 Center for Career Development (Matthews Center) has compiled a list of resources on Handshake about LGBTQA rights in the workplace, gay-friendly job search organizations and websites, industry and geographic resources, and tips for assessing the inclusivity of employers.
Office of Education Abroad has compiled information and resources for LGBTQA students to consider when participating in a study abroad program.
Alumni
Davidson LGBTQ+ Alumni Network (DLAN) serves as a source of support, advocacy, visibility, and programming for LGBTQA alumni. DLAN is an informal affinity network created to facilitate connections between LGBTQA alumni and the college.
This group is not operated by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Please contact Alumni & Families for more information.
Faculty and Staff Group
The college's LGBTQA Caucus advocates for and supports lesbian-, gay-, bisexual-, transgender-, queer- and asexual-identified persons at the college by attending to the issues, ideas, social history, and cultural practices that are critical for sustaining a diverse and inclusive community. This group of LGBTQA-identified and allied staff and faculty connects the campus community together to educate on LGBTQA issues, supports the college's non-discrimination policy, collaborates with other social justice groups, and disseminates information about relevant news, events and achievements. The group is meets monthly and meetings are posted on the Campus Calendar under student and employee events.
This group is not operated by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Please contact Human Resources for more information.
Student Organizations
A variety of student-led groups on campus advocate and serve as a resource for gender and sexuality issues on campus. If you are interested in participating in any of these groups, contact the group(s) by email or through the Student Activities Office located in the Alvarez College Union. You also are welcome to form new organizations with adviser and Student Activities approval.