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Gender and Sexuality Services and Support
Find support related to gender and sexuality through personal support and education. Our student services offer safer spaces for students (and their allies) who identify with these groups, including:
The Rainbow Centre in Waterloo is a safer space on campus available to students who are 2SLGBTQQIA+ identified, queer-friendly or allies. We provide awareness training, programming, research, education, advocacy and support through group events, speaker series, open forums, and a resource library. Our hope is to transform the community starting with ourselves.
We offer a space to house resources, hold meetings, and, most importantly, provide the opportunity to engage in discourse in an open and positive environment.
*Please note: all programming is currently online.
Our Programs
- Queer Awareness Week
- Campus Pride Parade
- Trans Awareness Week
- Trans Vigil
The Rainbow Centre operates on a foundation of the basic policies of respect, privacy, confidentiality and no assumptions. These policies apply to every event, discussion or gathering hosted by the Rainbow Centre.
Ways to Get Involved
Get involved by attending one of our meetings or email us at rainbowcentre@wlu.ca
Queer Sphere is a student service that promotes awareness, acceptance, and social, political, and economic rights for 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. As a service, they provide opportunities for 2SLGBTQQIA+ students and allies to access safer spaces, meet community members, and engage in education and advocacy. Together they work to address interpersonal and structural inequities that harm 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and create a more positive campus climate around gender and sexual diversity.
Queer Sphere holds regular programming, such as student leader meetings, community discussions, special guest speakers, poster campaigns, movie nights and more!
Queer Sphere is guided by values of anti-oppression, intersectionality, and choice, and supports a diversity of 2SLGBTQQIA+ identities and experiences.
Our Programs
Queer Sphere is integral in delivering the broader Laurier Brantford campus 2SLGBTQQIA+ programming and provides opportunities such as Queer Orientation during Laurier O week, the Transgender day of Remembrance vigil, and Laurier Pride festivities.
Ways to Get Involved
If you identify with our service, you should become a member. To become a member, you must committ to attending a pre-determined number of events and/or meetings throughout the year. Membership allows you to get involved in leadership roles and you can list Queer Sphere involvement on your experience record.
Get involved by attending one of our meetings or email us at queersphere@wlu.ca.
The Laurier Rainbow Centre and Queer Sphere operate with a foundation of the following guiding values. These values apply to every event, discussion or gathering hosted by these services.
Respect: Each and every person is entitled to respect. This means respecting their comments, ideas, and opinions that they share with the group. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with what someone said; it simply means you must allow them to share their opinion, and if you wish to disagree, please do so politely, without attacking or insulting the other person. It should be noted that any oppressive or derogatory remarks will be considered disrespectful and you may be asked to leave.
Privacy: Any comments, opinions, feelings (etc.) shared at an event, discussion, or other gathering are to be kept within the group. This is a safer space where each individual is valued; as such their privacy should also be respected.
Confidentiality: The Rainbow Centre and Queer Sphere are safer environments, where all individuals are welcome regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Everyone has a different experience with coming out, and as such their presence at a events, discussions, or other gatherings should be left to their own disclosure.
No Assumptions: No assumptions are to be made regarding the sexual orientation of gender identity of anyone who attends an event, discussion, or gathering. Like other campus organizations, a diverse group of individuals access these services for various reasons.
For students seeking 2S and Indigiqueer specific support, your Indigenous Student Support Coordinator is just a drop in, phone call or email away!
Gender Inclusivity
Our gender inclusivity initiatives work to ensure you have an inclusive student experience at Laurier.
A Thriving Community where all members of the university can reach their potential is a key component of Laurier’s 2019-2024 strategic plan. Part of this strategy is to develop and maintain an inclusive environment where everyone can experience a powerful sense of belonging.
Laurier strives to be a place in which all individuals can express their authentic selves and recognizes that respect and support for trans and gender diverse people are central to their success and wellbeing.
Being identified by the correct name contributes to an individual's autonomy, dignity and safety. If you're seeking to change their documented or legal name at Laurier, see our name change process.
Changing your name can be both a costly and labour-intensive process. If you need support navigating internal and external name change processes, connect with us at diversity@wlu.ca.
Resources
Did you know that the Student Wellness Centre offers gender-affirming health care options? Book an appointment to learn more about referrals for surgery, access to gender confirming hormone therapy and other inclusive healthcare.
Everyone has a right to use the washroom in accordance with their gender identity and/or gender expression. Learn more about how the Inclusive Washroom Initiative works to address barriers to washroom access on campus.
Are you a current Laurier student seeking non-medical gender-affirming technology?
The program offers one free binder or chest form for eligible participants, as well as asynchronous education on the types of available non-medical gender-affirming technologies and how to use them safely and effectively to suit your individual needs.
We all deserve equitable access to the menstrual care products we need to be present and comfortable in life. Just like toilet paper and soap, menstrual products should be free in all public washrooms.
In acknowledgement of this, as of winter 2022, Laurier students and staff have access to free menstrual care products in some washrooms in Waterloo, Brantford campuses and Kitchener. Learn about the LSPIRG-led campaign and washroom locations.
Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support
If you have been impacted by sexual violence, it’s never your fault. We believe you.
If you're not sure what to do or where to turn, a good place to start is with Laurier’s Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Supports.
You can talk with the sexual violence support and advocacy staff about what happened to you. They are here to listen and, when you’re ready, we can give you information about what your options are, how you can find more support, and what next steps you might consider taking. They support students who have experienced gendered and sexual violence on or off campus, or before you came to Laurier.
You are not alone. Reach out.