LGBTQ+ Students

Students who identify within the LGBTQ+ community or who use other labels or choose not to identify with a label to express their sexual or gender fluidity face many pressures that their heterosexual and cisgender peers do not on college campuses. Many of the common issues present include, but are not restricted to,

• Coming out
• Internalized heterosexism and cisgenderism
• Confronting and managing discrimination and oppression and navigating discriminative laws and/or sociopolitical factors impacting sexual/gender 
• Exploration / Questioning of sexual or gender identity
• Navigating relationships with family, friends, roommates
• Integrating self within larger LGBTQ community
• integrating one’s sexual/gender identity with other identities including race, ethnicity, SES, religion, etc
• Creating and maintain healthy relationships
• Integrating one’s sexual/gender identity into an overall identity

We recognize that seeking support and assistance can be difficult at times, particularly as many students experience concerns about the supportive nature of those resources. There are support resources available at UNC Charlotte and in the greater Charlotte community for our LGBTQ students and many are listed below. 

Counseling & Psychological Services is one aspect of this support system and aspires to create a safe, affirming, and welcoming environment that embraces all aspects of human diversity, including sexual and gender identity. We also strive for social justice through increasing awareness of the effects of oppression, prejudice, and discrimination. A number of our staff counselors are Safe Zone and SAGE trained and there are a number of counselors on staff who have specialized experience in working with the individuals who identify as trans or with other gender expansive identities.

CAPS annually hosts OUTSpoken, a signature program that brings diverse thought, education, and community leaders who identify as LGBTQ+ to campus to discuss topics germane to LGBTQ+ communities.  While centering the needs and perspectives of LGBTQ+ communities, this series also endeavors to engage in intersectional conversations, examining intersections of race, class, religion, and other identities.  For a list of past speakers, click here.

Of particular note is our center’s LGBTQ+ Discussion/Support group, True Selves, that meets on Tuesdays 2:00 PM – 3:15 PM at Counseling & Psychological Services.  Participants must speak with a counselor before attending. If you are interested in participating in this group, please call our center for more information (704‑687‑0311).