3 Beginners Steps to Starting a Campus LGBT Group

For students looking to make their campuses more LGBT friendly, here are a few helpful starter tips.
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Millennials are changing the face of gay.

Seventy percent of people ages 18 to 29 described themselves as accepting of homosexuality, as opposed to 52 percent of people over 50, as shown in a recent PEW study. In turn, campuses are enacting more LGBT support groups for students.

"It's really rewarding to get a group of people together who feel the same about these issues," IU junior Gabie Mahlmann said. "And college is the perfect place to do it."

For students looking to make their school more LGBT friendly, there are multiple organizations they can bring to campus. Mahlmann, for instance, got involved by volunteering for last year's Bloomington Pride Film Festival.

Even a small discussion group can have an impact on the LGBT environment in schools.

"Giving people permission to talk -- it seems like such a simple thing," Doug Bauder, office coordinator at Indiana University's GLBT Student Support Services, said. "But out of that comes a sense of empowerment, and I think that's the most important thing. It's life-changing for people."

For students looking to make their campuses more LGBT friendly, here are a few helpful starter tips:

1. Reach Out to Start Up

When deciding to establish a campus LGBT group, there could be a lot of students who don't know. Shane Windmeyer, executive director and founder of Campus Pride, decided to spread the word. Campus Pride is the leading national organization for campus groups, and has provided more than 1,400 colleges across the country with LGBT inclusive programs.

"Some campuses don't have the resources they need, but all it takes is some guidance to create these services for the LGBT community," Windmeyer said.

Students can get involved with the Campus Pride Student Leader Network at www.campuspride.org

2. Network with Other Students

"Social networking helps people create things almost instantly," Bauder said.

College students can use this tactic when starting a new campus group. Students often find like-minded peers through university Facebook pages and involvement fairs. Find a group of fellow students who are interested in helping you with your project, or check your school's club listings for pre-established groups with which you can work.

3. Find an Established Group (or create your own)

There are a variety of national LGBT groups that help establish campus chapters, but more and more college students are taking matters in to their own hands. "I believe there are still pockets of activism on college campuses," Bauder said. "It's a really exciting time to get involved."

Besides working on campus, student-run support and discussion groups can contribute tremendously to local communities. Successful groups have produced annual, community events like the Bloomington Pride Film Festival and Summerfest.

Creating a support group for your campus can do wonders -- whether you're a campus advocate or an LGBT ally -- and it's easier than you think.

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