Nicole Elsasser with files from Duncan Day-Myron

The University of Guelph strives to create a community for every student entering university and this is no less true for those seeking out a strong queer community on campus. There are multiple services and groups in place, each offering different support to those who identify as queer as well as creating a community in which to meet people.

The first service that the university offers is OUTline. OUTline is an anonymous phone line that is staffed by volunteers trained to assist callers with issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.

“The phone line itself operates similar to the distress center or Women in Crisis where people can phone in and chat with us about any concerns or any sort of feelings they’re having surrounding those issues,” said OUTline coordinator Daniel Poulin. “We also support their friends, so allies, who may be struggling with some issues relating to their friends or colleagues.”

Poulin explained that OUTline also does workshops and training for anyone who’s interested as well as taking part in various special awareness weeks like Queer Identities Week, Trans Remembrance Day and the National Day Against Homophobia. As well as offering services to students, OUTline also creates opportunities for people interested in volunteering at the centre and waiting at the phone lines.

Along with OUTline, there are other campus groups that assist students with various aspects of the coming out process and other issues relating to sexual orientation. One of these services is a section of counseling services called CampOut that offers discussion groups for people to discuss their sexuality with others in the same position in a safe space.

Another very prominent force in the campus queer community is Guelph Queer Equality (GQE) and they focus more on the advocacy and awareness side of the community as well as running social events. Another campus group that plays a major role in this community is Guelph Resources Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity who also run workshops and events as well as having an extensive collection of feminist literature and pamphlets.

“It’s really important that people know that these resources exist and that people realize that it’s okay to access them if they need them,” said Poulin.

For information about these resources go to the resources section of http://www.uoguelph.ca/~outline/index.shtml.

Your anonymous comment may be printed in The Ontarion's print publication.