Queer Student Organizations, and their friends

The Bisexual Gay and Lesbian Alliance at Rutgers University (BiGLARU)

The oldest group of its kind and second oldest in the state, BiGLARU turned 35 in the fall of 2004. Originally, the group was called the Rutgers Homophile League, and was started by Lionel Cuffie, a black gay man who later died of AIDS. Over the years, the group took many turns, and with those turns came different names as well as different leaders. James Dale, who sued the boyscouts, was one such leader. Daniel Renzi, known to us now from the Real World Miami, was also a previous member of BiGLARU.

Today, BiGLARU exists as a social and political group aiming to create a safe space for any who wish to attend meetings. Usually, two programs are organized by the group per semester, one such including “Coming Out Day” in October. Visit their website for updated information on meetings times, program dates, and other activities: www.scils.rutgers.edu/~biglaru

Student Health Advocates Developing Educational Scenarios (SHADES THEATER)

An improvisational and educational theater group that performs and creates original scenes dealing with everything from sexual identity and homophobia to drug abuse and dating violence. Contact Francesca Maresca for more information: fmaresca@rci.rutgers.edu

LGBT Special Interest Section

Demarest Hall, part of special interest housing, is home to the LGBT section, and one of the most welcoming environments that Rutgers has to offer. Known to some as “the gay dorm”, Demarest has a knack for attracting the open minded. The LGBT special interest section is just one of many sections that the hall has to offer. Being a part of the special interest hall requires you to present a project relating to the section you are in. This project can be something as simple as showing a movie to something as grandiose as the creation of your own movie. Contact Kelly Hennessy for more information: khennessy@echo.rutgers.edu

Residence Hall Association (RHA)

RHA represents residents to the rest of the college – giving residents a voice and the opportunity to challenge and change existing structures. RHA is composed of residents who are elected to hall government positions in their respective residence halls. These students then become members of Rutgers College’s Residence Hall Association. RHA holds educational programs that embrace diversity and help students move past clichéd stereotypes and myths. The newest program RHA proudly presents is entitled “Straight But Not Narrow”. Previous speakers include Judy Shepard and Rosie Perez. For more information on RHA, contact Jody Schulman: jschulman@echo.rutgers.edu

LGBTQQ People of Color Alliance (LLEGO – pronounced “jeh-go”)

Was founded in 1997 and is in the process of regrouping and reorganizing. With a full membership, the organization examines social, economic, political, and educational issues based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity which affect the lives and well-being of LGBTQQ students of color. Additionally, LLEGO offers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students of all colors a forum to advocate for themselves and others through positive and provocative programming. Interested students should contact Ana Maria Rexach at arexach@eden.rutgers.edu for more information.

The Rutgers University Women’s Center

Is dedicated to providing a safe and queer friendly space for feminist organizing and conversation. It aims to support individual and collective voices by providing an atmosphere where students and organizations can come together to start projects or get in touch with each other. They provide circulating and non-circulating resources including legal/medical/political referrals, a zine library, subscriptions to progressive magazines, and even free condoms! The Women's Center is a student run space, and always welcomes new ideas and input about ways to use our resources. If you have ideas for a project, want to get involved in a feminist community, or believe in the essential need for space to foster activist and feminist conversations – please stop by and get involved with the Women’s Center Defense Coalition, the group that runs the RUWC. The Women’s Center is open Sunday-Thursday from 5pm-11pm.