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from any training, just from living their own day-to-day lives. They would know better
than anyone who went through any sort of training on how to handle these issues. Yeah,
so I think as many people of different races and genders and abilities and nationalities
and . . . different experiences and backgrounds as possible [should] be equipped with
dealing with any issues that may arise from students.
This student emphasized the importance of having staff reflect the diversity of the
students within the LLC, although many also expressed that they would be open to
having allies on staff. Overall, it is essential that much of the staff shared the identities
of the students.
Additionally, three areas of training were highlighted across the focus groups:
mental health and counseling, inclusive language and practices, and sexual health and
education.
For training, I think there needs to be more informal things that affect the LGBT community,
like sex education for queer people. Because it's very different. More well-rounded
training on issues that can look different for other people to unpack their own biases and
be more accepting of other things. Basic scripts, like . . . [other centers], they have their
basic scripts to be more inclusive.
On mental health, one student commented, " The LGBT community suffers significantly
higher rates of mental illness, interpersonal violence, and sexual assault. I think
that's all important. I think it's incredibly important. " In identifying these focal areas
for training, students expressed that these were ongoing needs they saw in the support
and programming they currently had on campus.
Resources and Programming
When thinking about what programming opportunities could look like for an LGBTQ+
LLC, students offered a wide range of suggestions. The theme that arose most often
was a need for programming and events that focused on community building.
I think aside from doing special stuff during Pride month and stuff like that, I don't think
you necessarily have to make it a huge focus for everything to be LGBT-centric. You
could just have like, " Hey, Avengers: Endgame is coming out. Let's all go watch that! "
That could be like a normal program or something. It doesn't have to be [that] the gays
are going to watch Endgame, but we are. I mean I think just having normal college
student programs that don't have to be LGBT-centric 'cause that's a way that you can
isolate yourself. Especially if you're like me and you don't want to be recognized only
as a gay college student. You want to be a college student first, that sort of thing.
This student emphasized how community building plays an important role in LLCs
and that they did not want to be recognized only by their LGBTQ+ identity, so incorporating
activities that are not identity-focused is important. Also, students were interested
in having a linked LLC course that focused on LGBTQ+ history and societal issues
Volume 49, No. 1 * 2022 93

Journal of College & University Student Housing Vol 49, No. 1

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Journal of College & University Student Housing Vol 49, No. 1