Faculty, Staff, and Academic Resources

As part of our mission, the center provides support not only to students but also to faculty, staff, and members of the community.  The support the center provides ranges from providing a safer space for faculty and staff to engage their own personal questions related to sexual and gender diversities to serving as a curricular and co-curricular academic resource.  Below are some of the resources available, for questions please email lgbt@ohio.edu

  • Pride Panels ~ panels of individuals who share their experiences as LGBTQ+ people (personal and interactive).  Available to come to classes and group meetings. 
  • SafeZone ~ training program that offers a starting point for understanding various aspects of LGBTQ+ communities and exploring how to be supportive of LGBTQ+ people on and off campus (program has expanded to include “201” trainings to focus on specific identities and intersections of identities).  SafeZones are available by request and can be adapted to fit/reflect course material.
  • Guest Lectures ~ Center staff are available to guest lecture and/or facilitate class discussions on a variety of topics/themes related to sexuality and gender. 
  • Course/Syllabus Assistance ~ for faculty interested in “queering” or adding LGBTQ+ experiences to their syllabi/course content, center staff are available to explore with faculty a variety of resources within and across academic disciplines including (but not limited to) books, authors, websites, films, and academic/professional organizations.
  • Pride Library
  • Pride Center Events ~ the center hosts a variety of programs throughout the academic year from lunchtime discussions to film screenings to rallies as a way of raising awareness about LGBTQ+ identities and engaging the wider campus community.   All events reflect the academic mission of the university by challenging students to engage new perspectives and serve as co-curricular experiences by providing students opportunities to connect class content to the world beyond the classroom (and bringing outside experiences into the classroom).   Visit our Events to see what events are coming up.  In addition, the center is always happy to explore co-sponsoring events and open to suggestions for events.  

Domestic Partner Benefits

Since June 2004 Ohio University has offered Domestic Partner Benefits to domestic partners and children of domestic partners, as a matter of equity and fairness; however there are additional fees/taxes that gay and lesbian couples will incur.  Those interested in becoming registered as Domestic Partners with the university should read over the policy and all Human Resources forms below.  If you have questions, you can contact Human Resources at 740.593.1636. Additionally, you can contact LGBT Center Director delfin bautista at 740.593.2515 or lgbt@ohio.edu if you need assistance with this process.
 
For additional information on the DPB Policy, how to enroll, and available options for same-sex couples,  visit http://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits/domestic_partner_details.cfm

Transgender health care services coverage for benefits-eligible employees

In keeping with Ohio University’s culture of inclusion and equity, the Benefits Advisory Council (BAC) has recommended the University direct its PPO health plan providers, including Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Express Scripts, to provide coverage for Transgender health care services, including gender reassignment surgery, effective July 1, 2016. To that end, Human Resources is working with Anthem and Express Scripts to ensure coverage of medically necessary and preventive care procedures regardless of gender identity, and to update appropriate plan documentation. More details will be shared as they are finalized.

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact the Benefits Office at benefits@ohio.edu or 740.593.1636.  You can also visit HR's benefits page.  

 

Academic Queeries

The LGBT Center is committed to not only providing a safe space for folks to gather within Baker Center and throughout the university, but to also creating safer spaces throughout the academic life of ALL Bobcats. Below are some of the LGBTastic academic opportunities offered throughout Ohio University.   In addition to the resources listed above for faculty, other academic queeries include:   

LGBTQ Studies Certificate launched in Fall 2014 offered through the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program. The LGBTQ Studies Certificate (CTWGSQ) is an interdisciplinary program of study through which students explore historical, sociocultural, and political issues central to sexuality studies through a variety of lenses, including queer theory. Students learn to think critically about sexuality as it intersects with gender, race, class, and other socially significant categories. Administered through the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, the certificate offers research and internship opportunities, and students may choose from a range of course offerings across different disciplines. It is open to all Ohio University undergraduates.

Queer Studies Conference is an annual conference organized through the LGBT Center. It provides the opportunity for individuals to share current research related to LGBTQ identities and queer studies. The conference began in April 2013 and has featured presenters from Ohio University and several universities in our surrounding areas; themes engaged have included literature, media communications, history, art activism, religion, and interdisciplinary approaches to expression of identity. The conference is free and open to all; presenters can be undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and individuals from other institutions.

  • 2013
  • 2014
  • 2015
  • 2018
  • 2019 ~ the center will be collaborating with the Appalachian Studies Certificate Program to offer a daylong symposium focusing on celebrating the diversity of Appalachia from race/ethnicity to sexuality and gender to other intersections.   Date is March 28 and it will be hosted in Alden Library.  Stay tune for more information. 

Diversity Studies Certificate Program:  An interdisciplinary certificate program that is available to any undergraduate student in the University to complement and enhance a student’s general education, academic major and/or career preparation. We live in a world that is becoming more and more complex at the same time it is becoming “smaller and smaller” as we have more access to others whose identities and cultures are different than our own personal background and identities. Given the unique historical circumstances of the United States, it is critical that well- rounded educated individuals understand the historical, political, sociological and legal contexts within the United States and their impact on our contemporary issues in diversity.

Learning Community on LGBTQ Identities and Justice: This learning community offers participants an interdisciplinary environment through which students explore the complexities of sexuality and gender as well as their intersections with race, class, geography, and other social identities. Discussions will focus on how sexuality and gender play out in the lives of college students, social justice advocacy within and beyond the university, and resources that are available locally, nationally, and internationally. This LC offers a safe space for the exploration of sexuality and gender, especially for students who are questioning aspects of their identity and/or want to more intentionally embody inclusive allyship.

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Program and Certificate:   WGSS provides an opportunity to explore gender and sexuality and their intersection with race, ethnicity, class, and other elements of diversity. The program is interdisciplinary, which makes for a rich variety of course offerings across many fields. Students may choose from more than 70 courses with more than 70 core and affiliated faculty from 17 departments.  WGSS offers a Bachelor of Arts degree, undergraduate and graduate certificates, and an undergraduate certificate in LGBTQ studies, in addition to a wide variety of individual courses, many of which focus on global feminisms and sexuality studies.

Appalachian Studies Certificate:  The Certificate in Appalachian Studies offers students in multiple disciplines a foundation in Appalachian issues. A greater understanding of the culture, challenges, and opportunities of Appalachia is especially important for those seeking careers in public administration, government, education, arts, or any of the health-related fields. The certificate especially benefits students who might stay in the region for their careers. Place-based study such as this certificate gives students transferable skills for examining the impact of community characteristics on a range of important issues including health outcomes, economic opportunities, and policy options.