UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Student Health And Counseling Services

Topic - Sexual Orientation & Gender Issues

Coming out is a lifelong process of understanding, accepting, and acknowledging your identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) or a similar identity. Coming out includes both exploring your identity and sharing that identity with others. The first person you have to come out to is yourself.

Coming out happens in different ways and occurs at different ages for different people. College, in particular, is often the time in which students begin to explore their identities and come out to peers, friends, and family members.

We greatly value creating a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment on campus.  Counseling Services is here to hold a safe space for you to explore your identity and grow.   We look forward to supporting you in your journey.
 

* Some Parts Borrowerd From UW-Milwaukee's Resource Page

Progress Pride Flag

What You Can Do to Be an Ally:

  • Be open minded.
  • Be a good listener.
  • Be inclusive and invite your LGBTQIA friends to hang out with family and friends.
  • Don’t assume all your friends and co-workers are straight. Someone close to you could be looking for support in their coming out process. Not making assumptions will give them the space they need.
  • Confront your own prejudices and bias, even if it’s uncomfortable to do so.
  • Defend your LGBTQIA friends against discrimination.

From:  https://www.glaad.org/resources/ally/2 and UW-Oshksoh

 

Websites and Resources for Support:

UWRF Center for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

GLSEN - Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

PRIDE Institute Webinars - A resource for professionals who work with the LGBTQ+ community

Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Gender Pronouns

The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386 

Trans Lifeline US (877) 565-8860 

 

Page updated Summer 2021 by Kaleah Bautch, MS, LPC - Personal Counselor in Student Health and Counseling at University of Wisconsin – River Falls

Contact Us

Student Health and Counseling Services
Student Health Services: 715-425-3293
student.health.services@uwrf.edu
Counseling Services: 715-425-3884
counseling.services@uwrf.edu
M-F: 8 am - 4:30 pm
254 Rodli Hall