25 Years at the Gender and Sexuality Center!
The GSC has been buzzing with new students, classroom engagement visits, new projects in the works with support from interns, Lavender Graduation preparations, and the acknowledgement of our 25th anniversary! Yes, we’re celebrating 25 years as the UIC Gender and Sexuality Center.
History of the GSC
1993: Students petition for an office for LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff.
1994: The Office of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Concerns (OGLBC) opens at UIC with part-time staff.
1995: Fully functional OGLBC with full-time staff. Dave Barnett appointed full-time Director.
1998: The Office name evolves to include the T for Transgender.
2000: Jacob Mueller is appointed Interim Director.
2001: Patrick Finessy is appointed Director.
2002: Safe Zone program launches at UIC.
2006: The Advocate magazine names UIC one of the Queer-friendliest campuses in the country.
2007: UIC celebrates the first Lavender Graduation in Chicago. The Office’s name changes to Gender and Sexuality Center.
2008: Liz Thomson is appointed Interim Director.
2009: Gender neutral bathrooms opens in BSB.
2011: Megan Carney is appointed Director.
2013: Campus Pride and the Huffington Post name UIC one of the Top 25 LGBTQ-Friendliest Campuses in the country.
2014: Trans* inclusive health care becomes available to UIC students.
2017: S. Simmons is appointed Interim Director.
2018: Moisés Villada is appointed Interim Director.
2019: Jordan “JT” Turner is appointed Director of the Center.
2020: Programming and support go Virtual. Campus Climate Study.