To foster a culture of inclusion, the Office of Student Outreach and Support Services supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students and their allies by providing individual support and connecting them with campus support services.
LGBTQ Programming & Events
Are you interested in leadership opportunities?
Whenever possible, the Office of Student Outreach and Support Services is proud to offer leadership opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students in varying capacities depending on the need and program. Currently, we have several opportunities available! Be sure to reach out to Caroline Davis or Angelique Bradford if you're interested in any of the following programs.
LGBTQ undergraduate students who would like to be peer mentors for other LGBTQ undergraduate students should fill out this form for consideration.
Spectrum Weekend Retreat
Spectrum is a confidential, free weekend away for LGBTQ students. In this welcoming environment, participants will be encouraged to engage in conversation and reflection about their personal identities and to discern who they are and who they are called to be at Boston College and beyond.
The weekend also builds community among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students, staff, and faculty at Boston College. Every year, participants say that the retreat was transformational, with many claiming it was their best experience at BC thus far.
Space is limited, so we encourage you to register ASAP, as we reserve on a first come, first served basis with preference toward those who have never attended Spectrum.
Save the Date!
Spectrum 2020 | February 7–9
Registration opens November 1, 2019.
Spectrum Weekend has left an indelible mark on the lives of many LGTBQ+ students here at BC. Watch this video of anonymous testimonials from past participants to see what so many had to say about their experiences on this confidential and free weekend away.
How much does the retreat cost?
The weekend is free!
When is the retreat?
Spectrum 2020 will be sometime in February 2020! Check back for more details this fall!
When does registration open?
Registration for Spectrum 2020 will open fall 2019! An email annoncement will be sent to the campus community announcing the opening of registration.
Who is encouraged to attend?
Any Boston College undergraduate student who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and those who may be questioning. *This weekend is not intended for allies.*
If I have attended Spectrum before, can I participate again?
Priority registration is given to those individuals who have never participated in the past. However, individuals who have previously attended Spectrum may register and attend if space permits.
What should I expect from this weekend?
You will be invited to engage in reflection and conversation about your personal identity and to explore who you are at Boston College and beyond. The weekend will also build community amongst LGBTQ+ students as well as provide faculty/staff who may be resources for students.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
Questions and comments may be directed to:
Caroline Davis, Assistant Dean of Students, at caroline.davis.2@bc.edu or 617-552-3470.
Angelique Bradford, Graduate Assistant for LGBTQ+ Outreach & Support, at bradfoaa@bc.edu or 617-552-3470.
Lastly, you can email the Spectrum Weekend Leadership Team at spectrum@bc.edu.
After participating in the Spectrum Weekend, students will be able to...
- Demonstrate a greater understanding about their own personal identities by engaging in conversation and reflection in a safe and tranquil space.
- Display a deeper understanding of the significant relationships in their lives, such as family, friends, partners, etc.
- Articulate with greater clarity and specificity the role of faith or spirituality in their lives as a GLBTQ student.
- Identify supportive resources and role models in the Boston College community, including faculty and staff.
- Name new peers with whom they share common experiences, thus building a greater sense of community amongst GLBTQ students.
Save the Date!
Spectrum 2020 | February 7–9
Applications open November 1.
Lavender Graduation
Lavender Graduation is a celebration that recognizes LGBTQ students of all backgrounds and acknowledges their contributions to the University. Graduating seniors from all different LGTBQ & Ally groups on campus are recognized by The Office of Student Outreach and Support Services and the Rainbow Alliance for their leadership, successes, and overall commitment and contributions to the LGTBQ community. Through such recognition, LGBTQ students may leave Boston College with a positive final experience, filling them with pride both in themselves, and in their college experiences.
Check back in April 2020 for more information!
LGBTQ Resource Guide and Training
The Office of Student Outreach and Support Services (SOSS) is proud to offer training to anyone listed in our Boston College LGBTQ Resource Guide to ensure competence and confidence when working with our LGBTQ students! Moreover, we're happy to offer our training to any department or office that would like us to work with their faculty and/or staff. Our sessions can be tailored to your needs in terms of length and content, and will cover many topics affecting LGBTQ identity construction so that you can be the best possible resource for LGBTQ students at BC. Contact Angelique Bradford or Caroline Davis for more information.
LGBTQ&A Sessions
Our LGBTQ&A sessions were born out of our Spectrum Retreat when our students wanted to extend conversation around a range of topics specific to LGBTQ identity construction. Accordingly, we now offer six sessions a year on various topics that are relevant for our LGBTQ students. In a casual space over refreshments, we'll engage in meaningful discussion with friends, peers, and knowledgable guest speakers and panelists around issues facing our LGBTQ students today. For more information, contact Angelique Bradford.
LGBTW Film Series
The Office of Student Outreach and Support Services is proud to sponsor the screening of some LGBTQ-themed films and engage in meaningful discussion afterwards over refreshments. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to join us as we watch everything from historical LGBTQ documentaries to powerful LGBTQ dramas and hilarious comedies and discuss how the issues presented relate to LGBTQ identity construction at Boston College and beyond.
Community Dinners
Once a month, the Office of Student Outreach and Support Services is thrilled to host "Community Dinner Night." Breaking bread together provides the perfect casual and welcoming forum for members of the LGBTQ student body to come together and share their student experiences, all while building a more robust LGBTQ community on campus.
Open Houses
Come one, come all to our LGBTQ Open House! A couple times a semester, Office of Student Outreach and Support Services is happy to host an Open House for LGBTQ students as a chance for them to engage with BC peers, staff, and faculty. Regardless of the role you play on campus, come join us for coffee, tea, and snacks and get to know our amazing LGBTQ students.
Prism and Horizon Drop In Discussions
The Office of Student Outreach and Support Services offers private, reflective, and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ students to meet and engage in meaningful discussion around identity development in support groups facilitated by graduate students. Horizon (gay, bi trans, queer, genderqueer, and/or other male-identified students) and Prism (lesbian, bi, trans queer, genderqueer, and/or other female-identified students) meet weekly for an hour and are open to anyone who wants a confidential and comfortable space to interact with peers exploring similar issues around what it means to identify as LGBTQ at BC and in the world. Gender-nonbinary, agender, bigender, gender-fluid, and genderqueer students are welcome in the group of their choice. No appointments, formal arrangements, or commitments necessary--drop by whenever the support group is meeting and we'll be there waiting to welcome you with open arms, hearts, and minds!
Pride Peers
A program that pairs LGBTQ+ students with LGBTQ Peers and/or LGBTQ student Mentors, creating spaces to bond and reflect on sexual and gender identity. Additionally, Pride Peer Presenters educate the BC community through their Hall Talks program. Contact us for more information about joining Pride Peers - a program dedicated to supporting queer students and connecting them to their queer peers here at BC.
Clubs and Organizations
PrintAllies of Boston College
Allies of Boston College
Allies of Boston College is a group of GLBTQ and straight students working to foster a more inclusive community for everyone.
Contact Rachel Huang, Co-President or Colin Marsh, Co-President.
Website: Allies
Gaudete
Gaudete
Gaudete is a Theology and Ministry group that recognizes the dignity of each person and seeks to enrich the STM community with openness, acceptance, and fellowship by providing a space to dialogue and witness.
Contact: Molly Minnerath, Co-Chair
GLBTQ Leadership Council (GLC)
GLBTQ Leadership Council (GLC)
GLBTQ Leadership Council (GLC) is a governing body of UGBC focused on GLBTQ and Allied Issues.
Contact: Hugh McMahon, Director, Caitlin Gardner, Assistant Director
Website: GLC
Graduate Pride Alliance
Graduate Pride Alliance
Graduate Pride Alliance (GPA) is an organization sponsored by the Graduate Student Association (GSA), for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender graduate students and allies.
Contact: bcgradpride@gmail.com; Margaret Summerfield
Website: GPA
Horizon
Horizon
Horizon is a group where gay, bisexual, questioning, trans*, queer, genderqueer, and/or other male-identified students can discuss and seek support in a safe space.
Contact Angelique Bradford for more information.
Lambda Law Association
Lambda Law Association
Lambda Law Students Association is an activist and social group that is dedicated to increasing awareness and support for the GLBTQ community at BC Law School.
Contact: Savanna Arral, Co-Chair, Simon Jerome, Co-Chair
Website: Lambda Law
LGBT@BC
LGBT@BC
LGBT@BC is an affinity group of faculty and staff that are helping to create a welcoming environment for all LGBTQ employees and students.
Website: LGBT@BC
Prism
Prism
Prism is a group where gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning, trans*, queer, genderqueer, and/or other female-identified students can discuss and seek support in a safe space.
Contact: Caroline Davis
Pride Peers
Pride Peers
Pride Peers is a mentoring program that pairs LGBTQ+ undergrads with upper-class LGBTQ+ peers and creates spaces to bond and reflect on sexual and gender identity. Additionally, Pride Peer Presenters provide education to the community.
If you are interested in having a mentor fill out this online form.
If you would like to be a mentor fill out this online form.
For more information contact: BCQueerPeers@gmail.com; Caroline Davis
Spectrum
Spectrum
Spectrum is a student group in the Graduate School of Social Work to inform the larger social work community about diversity, homophobia, heterosexism, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Contact: Angelique Bradford