As a nontraditional cis white gay postbac student at Portland State University (PSU) from 2012 to 2020 (I was taking my time), I witnessed the homophobic horror that is PSU's Queer Resource Center (QRC).
For example, the QRC managed to compose a 368-word biography from 2002 to the present without once using the words "gay" or "lesbian."
Here is how the QRC describes itself:
"2021-Present: The Queer Resource Center exists as the queer and trans student hub, and resource/referral center, and home of Portland State queer and trans event traditions with four full time professional staff members, four specialized student coordinators, two ELSA interns, and three skilled members of our desk team."
But wait, there's more:
"Our Purpose. The Queer Resource Center supports queer and trans students at Portland State University to achieve their educational goals through advocacy, community, and celebration. The Queer Resource Center prioritizes a racial justice framework to improve campus climate through education, policy change, and campus-wide organizing."
The picture would not be complete without this gem:
"Our Space. The Queer Resource Center is located in Smith Memorial Student Union, Suite 458. Students come to our lounge space to socialize, study, ask for information, and relax. We provide resources, including safer sex, trans care, and menstrual supplies. We offer coffee, tea, and snacks, as well as access to our fridge, microwave, and mini food pantry. Come in and borrow from our free library, grab pronoun and identity pins, use our computers, and print - all for free! We encourage mask-wearing as a form of community care and offer masks at our front desk."
Kudos for being true to your gay self!
As a nontraditional cis white gay postbac student at Portland State University (PSU) from 2012 to 2020 (I was taking my time), I witnessed the homophobic horror that is PSU's Queer Resource Center (QRC).
For example, the QRC managed to compose a 368-word biography from 2002 to the present without once using the words "gay" or "lesbian."
Here is how the QRC describes itself:
"2021-Present: The Queer Resource Center exists as the queer and trans student hub, and resource/referral center, and home of Portland State queer and trans event traditions with four full time professional staff members, four specialized student coordinators, two ELSA interns, and three skilled members of our desk team."
But wait, there's more:
"Our Purpose. The Queer Resource Center supports queer and trans students at Portland State University to achieve their educational goals through advocacy, community, and celebration. The Queer Resource Center prioritizes a racial justice framework to improve campus climate through education, policy change, and campus-wide organizing."
The picture would not be complete without this gem:
"Our Space. The Queer Resource Center is located in Smith Memorial Student Union, Suite 458. Students come to our lounge space to socialize, study, ask for information, and relax. We provide resources, including safer sex, trans care, and menstrual supplies. We offer coffee, tea, and snacks, as well as access to our fridge, microwave, and mini food pantry. Come in and borrow from our free library, grab pronoun and identity pins, use our computers, and print - all for free! We encourage mask-wearing as a form of community care and offer masks at our front desk."
https://www.pdx.edu/queer-resource-center/
Given the current political climate, it is surprising that PSU hasn't cleaned house by giving the QRC the boot because of its racial justice slant.
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