The Director of LGBTQ+ Western, L.K. Langley sits in their new office in the Multicultural Center. Joe Addison // AS Review
By Charlene Davatos
Many Western students take four years to find their favorite spot on campus, but students had the chance to learn that secret and more on Oct. 1, at Queerientation.
Western’s first annual Queerientation invited first-year, transfer and graduate students to learn about the resources available at Western for LGBTQ+ students.
LGBTQ+ director L.K. Langley organized the event.
“I wanted to provide a really concrete and welcoming way to start orienting LGBTQ+ students to the university community,” Langley said.
Langley invited advisors from academic and student health resources to speak at a panel. Departments and offices present included academic advising, the student health center, the counseling center, the study abroad office, the Student Advocacy and Identity Resource Center [SAIRC] and the women, gender, and sexuality studies program.
“I wanted to include departments that have a specific focus on supporting student health and wellness, including services that might be of interest specifically to LGBTQ+ students,” Langley said. “As well as faculty and academic advising to speak to tips and strategies for students’ academic success.”
Langley also invited student speakers, Lani Defiesta, Yesugen Battsengel and Nichole Vargas to speak about their experiences as LGBTQ+ students at Western.
Langley provided the questions for the panelists, which included what the purposes of each office is, what services are offered at free or low cost to students and what to do to feel more involved in the university community.
Meagan Bryson, an academic advisor, encouraged students to visit the Academic Advising Center in Old Main 380.
“We realize that course planning is overwhelming and confusing. There’s a lot of choices,” Bryson said. She said that there were a lot of advising resources available to students, including multicultural support.
Tracy Dahlstedt-Rienstra, a health educator from Prevention and Wellness Services, set up a table with free condoms, dental dams, lubricants, stress balls and pens for students. She encouraged students to come to events in their dorms such as Cookies and Condoms, to learn more about sexual health in college.
Alberto Rodriguez-Escobodo informed students about the different resources provided by the SAIRC, including events such as the food security fair and educational panels.
Students also had the opportunity to hear about free counseling resources, opportunities for study abroad and free clinic services offered on campus.
Vargas, the Queer Resource Center Community Engagement Coordinator, said that they were excited to see what sort of impact and collaboration the first-year and transfer students will have in the Western community.
“It’s nice to have someone explain to you what to actually do at college,” Vargas said.
Battsengel, the AS VP for Diversity, told students to create their own community at Western.
“Utilize your resources,” Battsengel said at panel. “Find friends to talk to, and make sure they’re in a good place to talk to you.”
Students who attended had the opportunity to mingle with panelists after the event and ask questions of their own.
“There were so many questions about accessing these resources and where to find them, it was a lot of information in one place,” Terence Hardy, an attendee, said.
Hardy said he had initially applied to Western for its inclusive environment, and that coming to Queerientation proved that the expectation was a reality.
“This is not a place where you’re going to feel left behind because the people here are arms wide open wherever you need it,” Hardy said.
Langley said that they are excited to throw the event again next year and are looking for student input on more events and opportunities for LGBTQ+ students. They said their office, in Multicultural Center 754 is open for students.
More information on LGBTQ+ Western can be found on their website.