The University of New Mexico hosts a grand opening celebration of its new LGBTQ Resource Center on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 1919 Las Lomas Blvd (across from the new McKinnon Center for Management building).
The event will coincide with activities for National Coming Out Day, also on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the UNM SUB Plaza. The event is part of a national celebration of individuals who have come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) or as an ally.
The new and more accessible space is made possible through a state capital allocation by UNM Alumnus and New Mexico Senator Jacob Candelaria. The new Resource Center is ADA compliant and features a training room, a study room, a kitchenette and a universal restroom.
“We are immensely excited and proud about this major milestone in the development of the LGBTQ Resource Center at the University of New Mexico,” said Lawrence Roybal, interim vice president for Equity and Inclusion and interim director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “We look forward to a new era of advancing a variety of important initiatives alongside our LGBTQ family and our loyal allies.”
Featured speakers at the grand opening include Interim President Chaouki Abdallah, Interim Provost Craig White, Executive Director of Equality N.M. Adrian Carver, along with current and former students.
Established in 2010 as part of a student initiative through the UNM Division for Equity and Inclusion, the LGBTQ Resource Center strives to provide a safe environment for people of all gender identities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, sexualities and other identities. The LGBTQ Resource Center strives to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all members of the UNM and surrounding community.
UNM established the Division for Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in 2007 to strengthen the organizational capacity in order to serve UNM’s diverse student body. DEI provides leadership for addressing institution-wide equity and inclusion and lends its support to student, staff and faculty efforts that build on the university’s diversity initiatives.
For additional information, contact Lorena Blanco-Silva, diversity programs director, Division for Equity and Inclusion at lblanco@unm.edu or (505) 277-1238.