In the presence of homophobia and hatred, LGBTQ+ students should have access to queer friendly resources and space whenever they need them.
With the most recent surge of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, namely the Don’t Say Gay Bill, which limits LGBTQ+ discussion in classrooms and mandates that teachers out queer kids to their families, it is now more important than ever that queer spaces and resources are made available to those who need it. Here is a list of some of the queer friendly spaces on Temple’s campus.
- Wellness Resource Center
At Temple’s Wellness Resource Center, all students are welcome and the staff works to help LGBTQ+ students get the healthcare they need. The Wellness Resource Center is located at 1755 N. 13th Street | Howard Gittis Student Center.
- Student Organizations
There are three main LGBTQ+ organizations on Temple’s campus: The Temple Queer Student Union (QSU), Temple’s Queer People of Color (QPOC), and Students for Trans Awareness and Rights (STAR). The QSU is dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ students at Temple find their community and holds meetings on the 8th floor of Mazur Hall on Thursday nights typically at 6:00 pm. The QPOC is a group of queer people of color and their allies that discuss race and culture, along with gender and sexuality. Check their Instagram below for meeting times and their location. STAR is a student-run organization for trans rights on campus and acts as a support and education group. You can find out more information about STAR meetings on their Instagram.
QSU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/temple_qsu/?hl=en
QPOC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/temple_qpoc/
STAR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeu.star/?hl=en
- IDEAL Team Office
The Institutional Diversity, Equity, Advocacy and Leadership (IDEAL) office is an inclusive space for students to engage in the community but also just to relax. You can go to the IDEAL center to learn about their latest campaign at 2026 N. Broad Street (directly across from the Johnson & Hardwick Residence Halls).
- Educational Opportunities
There are some many queer friendly educational opportunities available at Temple. Students are able to take classes in LGBTQ+ studies either to fill their elective credits or even as a minor. There’s also a new Queer Theory Reading group starting up at Temple that you can join by emailing Vanessa Loh at vanessa.loh@temple.edu.
- Community Resources
There are some community resources that provide LGBTQ+ healthcare and services not just on campus, but in the surrounding Philadelphia area. One of these resources is The Therapy Center of Philadelphia which works to provide affordable mental health services to the LGBTQ+ community and offers individual and group therapy, as well as other resources and services. You can get in touch with them through their website: http://www.therapycenterofphila.org/
6.) The Mazzoni Center
Another health resource, off Temple’s campus is the Mazzoni Center, a healthcare provider that targets the health needs of the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia. The Mazzoni Center advertises its free HIV and STI testing, gynecological exams, cancer screenings, gender affirming care, and other health services. The Mazzoni Center is located at 809 Locust Street.
You can find more information on their website: https://www.mazzonicenter.org/
There are many other resources that provide aid to the LGBTQ+ community on and around Temple’s campus. The full list for Temple’s LGBTQIA+ resources is located on their website: https://diversity.temple.edu/institutional-diversity/lgbtqia-services.