LGBTQIA+ Student Support: How St. John’s University Leads the Way

Student at a Spectrum LGBTQ+ Club tabling event at St. John’s University, celebrating inclusivity and community
By Toni Critelli

As an LGBTQIA+ student, choosing a college or university that truly supports and celebrates you can transform your experience. St. John’s University is committed to creating a campus where you feel safe, valued, and empowered. Here, you find a community that genuinely embraces diversity with a strong dedication to fostering personal growth and academic success.

In this blog, you explore the resources and initiatives at St. John’s that make it a leader in LGBTQIA+ support. Plus, you hear directly from students and faculty involved in making campus life inclusive and supportive.

Campus Policies that Protect LGBTQIA+ Rights

St. John’s prioritizes inclusivity in its mission, with policies that protect you from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 

Rachel Pereira, Ed.D., Esq., Vice President of Equity and Inclusion

“Our policies cultivate a culture of acceptance and respect, ensuring every student feels valued and heard,” said Rachel Pereira, Ed.D., Esq., Vice President of Equity and Inclusion. 

“By actively promoting diversity and establishing clear protections, the University creates a safe space where individuals can express their identities freely, without fear of discrimination. This supportive environment fosters student engagement, enhances well-being, and contributes to the academic success of all.”

LGBTQIA+ Student Club and Organizations

A Spotlight on Spectrum

Being part of a supportive community is essential, and at St. John’s, Spectrum is the primary LGBTQIA+ student organization that’s here for you. 

"Students gathered around a pride flag as part of Spectrum, the leading LGBTQIA+ student organization at St. John's University, fostering a supportive and inclusive campus community."

“Spectrum offers a no-judgment zone where students can express themselves, learn about LGBTQIA+ history, and seek support,” said Mariela Duarte and Matthew Ahamad, Copresidents.  “It is not just a space to hang out, but a safe place where students, regardless of gender or sexuality, can come together as a group.”

Stay Connected with Spectrum. 

Spectrum’s events, like “Coming Out Day” and the trans support group “Welcome Circle,” create spaces for socializing, mental health support, and celebrating LGBTQIA+ identities. Regular gatherings like “Hey, How You Doin’?” offer a relaxed environment for mental health check-ins and socializing with peers, providing a much-needed space for connection and well-being.

Follow Spectrum on Instagram for event updates, resources, and ways to stay connected.

Inclusive Resources 

The LGBTQ+ Center: Your Dedicated Space on Campus 

At St. John’s, the LGBTQ+ Center provides a safe, welcoming space to relax, study, and meet others in the community. The center organizes the annual Lavender Graduation, celebrates LGBTQIA+ achievements, and provides an inclusive Resource Center Lending Library filled with books, films, and materials on LGBTQIA+ history and culture.

St. John's Student LGBTQ+ Center

“The center is a safe place for everyone,” said Leslie Alhakim ’24C, a Graduate Assistant in the LGBTQ+ Center. “It’s amazing to have a spot where people can find community and feel accepted.” 

Ms. Alhakim emphasizes that beyond resources, the people make the center feel like home. “Our center’s best resource is the wonderful people who make it a home, including faculty like Candice D. Roberts, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Division of Mass Communication, and resource center staff members like Deana Leonce.”

LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Services 

Mental health resources that specifically address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ students are a priority at St. John’s. The University’s Counseling and Psychological Services offers inclusive and affirming counseling. Licensed professionals receive training to address the mental health needs of all students, ensuring that everyone has access to the emotional support and guidance necessary to thrive. 

Inclusive Programs and Curriculum

St. John’s commitment to inclusivity in the classroom is best exemplified by its faculty members. Professors across departments actively foster a learning environment that celebrates and explores gender and sexuality, empowering students to challenge norms and build a more inclusive world. 

Connecting with Advocates for Equal Rights

Susan Schmidt Horning, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of History, emphasizes the importance of showcasing LGBTQIA+ history in the classroom by hosting speakers like Dr. Lady J, a nonbinary trans woman, and musicologist, and Adele Bertei, an artist from New York City’s 1970s downtown scene. 

Susan Schmidt Horning, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of History

“These speakers demonstrated to students that LGBTQIA+ individuals have a rich history, facing homophobia with grace, humor, and eloquence,” Dr. Horning said, highlighting how firsthand stories of resilience inspire students to see themselves in this legacy. “Students were enthralled and empowered by their stories.” 

Empowering Students as Future Leaders

Associate Professor and Assistant Chair in the Department of Art and Design and Coordinator of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor, Amy Gansell, Ph.D., believes the program empowers students to become changemakers. 

Associate Professor and Assistant Chair in the Department of Art and Design and Coordinator of the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor, Amy Gansell, Ph.D.

"We view our students as future-makers, genuinely believing in their ability to build a barrier- and judgment-free world,” said Dr. Gansell. 

Through Safe Zone Training and initiatives like “Queer Vibes Only,” she and her colleagues continuously work to make classrooms inclusive, not only by fostering open discussions but by modeling LGBTQIA+ equity in every aspect of their teaching. Hosting speakers like Linda Stein, a queer, feminist artist, and activist, “gave students a chance to connect with LGBTQIA+ figures from older generations. Her stories from the 1950s to the 1970s were both eye-opening and relatable, filling the audience with empathy and inspiration,” Dr. Gansell added.

Exploring Identity with LGBTQIA+ Voices in the Classroom 

Associate Professor of French Steve Puig, Ph.D., notes that the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor and allied faculty provide an open space for students to explore their identities within an academic framework. 

Associate Professor of French Steve Puig, Ph.D.

“Higher education has historically been a positive space for identity development, where independence allows students to engage deeply with themselves,” explained Dr. Puig. “The curriculum offers a platform to explore the contributions of LGBTQ+ communities to arts and sciences, allowing students to see themselves reflected in history and culture.”

Understanding LGBTQIA+ Perspectives through Literature

Amy King, Ph.D., Professor, Department of English, introduces students to gender and sexuality topics through texts in her social justice core class, Women and Literature. Last spring, students examined Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and Greta Gerwig’s modern adaptation, alongside Sojourner Truth’s speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” and Janet Mock’s speech at the Women’s March, “I am my Sister’s Keeper.”  

Amy King, Ph.D., Professor, Department of English

“We interrogated how ‘woman’ has been both an exclusionary category and one subject to exclusion,” explained Dr. King. Engaging with Susan Stryker’s documentary, Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria, which delves into 1960s America’s trans experiences, “gave students a deeper understanding of LGBTQ+ history, encouraging them to consider the lived experiences and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals across generations.”

Gender-Inclusive Housing

Feeling secure in your living environment is crucial, and St. John’s offers gender-inclusive housing (GIH) to help make that possible. GIH allows students to room with peers regardless of gender identity, promoting a diverse and understanding dorm community. 

“St. John’s offers students a dynamic living experience that complements their learning in the classroom, library, and on service trips,” said Jason T. Bartlett, Ph.D., Director of Residence Life. “Our Gender-Inclusive Housing program, established in 2019, has grown steadily, with options available in all residence halls and room types. We aim to welcome students who identify as nonbinary and those who seek a diverse, accepting community. Our Residence Life team also supports students in transition, helping them find safe and accepting housing and roommates during this important stage of their life journey.”

"A string of pride flags displayed across the St. John's university campus, symbolizing support and inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrating diversity among students and staff."

Why St. John’s University Is a Great Choice for LGBTQIA+ Students

When choosing a university, LGBTQIA+ students shouldn’t have to settle for less. At St. John’s University, inclusivity, representation, and support are at the heart of the student experience. With inclusive policies, gender-affirming housing, active LGBTQIA+ student organizations, resource centers, and counseling services, St. John’s ensures every student can find a place to belong and excel.

Young female professional

Toni Critelli

Digital Content Creator

Toni Critelli is a full-time staff writer for Johnnie's Blog. Through engaging content, she captures the essence of the institution, its students, faculty, and alums.

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