The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center officially reopened their doors to the NIU community to celebrate their new home.
The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) held their official open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to celebrate their new office space in Room 132 of the Peters Campus Life Building.
The GSRC is an NIU organization that supports individuals who identify with womanhood and/or femininity as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer identities and is committed to helping and providing resources to students who are part of these communities.
Molly B. Holmes, director of the GSRC, was happy to finally hold their open house and welcome students into the office.
“We’re just excited for people to take advantage of the space if they haven’t been here yet,” Holmes said. “And for those students who have experienced us before, to get reacquainted with what we do and what possibilities we can bring together.”
The GSRC moved into the office after construction for the space concluded in February, with their doors opening to the public right after spring break.
Several spaces in the office have been transformed to serve various purposes such as office space and rooms for the GSRC library, which will also serve as a lactation and calm space in the future, a lounge video area and kitchen.
The office also holds various decorations and pieces of art from NIU students and alums such as Nani Nichae and Heather Green.
Kianna Graves, a graduate research assistant for Women and Gender programs at the GSRC, invites members of the community into a safe space with their peers.
“We have educational resources, health resources and we’re always here just to chat and our space is always available for you to hang out with other students,” Graves said. “The GSRC is important because it provides a space for students to relax and unwind and be themselves.”
The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visitors can schedule meetings through their email at gsrc@niu.edu.
Upcoming events include NIU’s 29th Annual Pride Awards at 11:15 a.m. on April 18 and NIU’s 16th Annual Lavender Graduation Celebration at 2 p.m. on May 8.
