GSRC has permanent location at UNMC campus

Beginning July 1, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) will have a permanent presence on the UNMC Omaha campus in the Joseph D. & Millie E. Williams Science Hall.

The GSRC offers services to UNMC students of all genders and sexualities through education, resources, advocacy and activism.

The center is not new to UNMC. Following its opening in 2016 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Milo Bail Student Center, the center extended its services to UNMC students in July 2018. The office provides specific programs and services for women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer spectrum, trans spectrum, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, non-straight and gender non-conforming (LGBTQIA2S+) peoples, and survivors of interpersonal violence.

Jessi Hitchins, PhD, director of the center, said the expansion and permanent on-campus presence will increase existing supports for underrepresented student populations and increase awareness of the issues these populations face in the health professions.

“Having a physical presence on UNMC’s Omaha campus allows the GSRC to provide institutional support for UNMC students of all genders and sexualities, as well as students who have experienced interpersonal violence,” Dr. Hitchins said. “We will be able to engage with the next generation of health care workers and direct them to resources in diversity and inclusion that will help them better serve their patients.”

The center provides collaborative support, access, advocacy, resources and training on gender and sexuality-based needs which include, but are not limited to, interpersonal and relationship violence, LGBTQIA2S+ inclusivity and activism, feminist organizing, men and masculinities, healthy relationships, bystander intervention, being an active ally, sexual and reproductive justice, reforming policies and pay equity.

“Additionally, the GSRC stands in solidarity with anti-racist scholars, activists and activism toward equity and inclusion for all,” Dr. Hitchins said.

In collaboration with Queer and Trans Student Services, the center offers three social support groups. One of these groups, Melanated Queerations, specifically supports LGBTQIA2S+ people of color and was founded by two Black queer UNO students.

UNMC students played a critical role toward launching the GSRC by providing resources through the Student Access and Success Fee to make the expansion of programs and services possible.

To learn more about GSRC programs and services, call 402-554-2384.