Community Resources

SJE helps to ensure that all students have equitable access to available campus resources. Staff at SJE are committed to meeting one on one with students for advising and guidance as it relates to housing, club involvement, academic areas of study, biased incidents, financial instability, familial rejection, coming out, transitioning, and emotional support. We work with a network of over 170 faculty/staff LGBTQA liaisons in order to provide points of contact across many academic and student support areas. If you have any questions at all, stop by the center. Let us be your first-stop shop for all things Rutgers.

Faculty/Staff LGBTQA Liaisons

Liaison

The LGBTQA Liaison Network is a select group of faculty and staff who have been charged with giving “visible focus” in their respective departments to the issues of the LGBTQ community by assisting students in resolving problems, promoting general awareness/professional development, sponsoring programs to reduce transphobia and heterosexism, and making appropriate referrals for campus services. Faculty and Staff Liaisons often serve as point people across the university in regards to ensuring LGBTQA students can navigate more comfortably and with cultural competence.

Click here to join the network and view our current Liaison directory

LGBTQA Mental Health Counseling

The Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities is one of many campus locations that hosts an in-house counselor. Wil Vargas, LCSW, is an LGBTQA Liaison and can be your first stop in getting connected to CAPS or off-campus counseling options. They host two weekly support groups in the center, offer drop-in hours every Thursday, can see individual students for 1:1 therapy, and can get you connected to other mental health practitioners. Stop by or call over for more information.

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Deans of Students Office

The Deans of Students office exists to advocate for students and to assist in navigating on and off-campus resources. They are dedicated to help students thrive and graduate. The Deans can help students with academic extensions, temporary disabilities, emergency financial aid, those experiencing homelessness or hunger, and much more. In addition, every Dean is an LGBTQA Liaison trained in LGBTQA terminology, narratives, and common issues experienced by students.

Click here for more information

Dean of Students

LGBTQA Student Emergency Fund

We have your back!

Funded by our generous alumni, faculty, and staff donors, Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers financial assistance for LGBTQA students struggling with, including but not limited to, parental rejection, homelessness, healthcare costs, food insecurity, and general financial instability. Our center works closely with The Office of the Deans of Students to help ensure LGBTQA students thrive in our community and receive holistic support. To get connected to these funds, in addition to other support resources, visit our center, The Deans of Students Office, or CAPS.

Equatity

Rutgers Student Food Pantry

Run out of swipes? Struggling with grocery money? Visit the Rutgers Food Pantry!

Rutgers food pantry

LGBTQA Scholarships

Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers two annual, $1,000, LGBTQA Leadership Scholarships for two undergraduates dedicated to supporting the LGBTQA community. We also offer a $500 Lionel Cuffie Award to a graduating senior who spent their Rutgers tenure supporting LGBTQA student organizing and community-building. These awards are made possible because of our generous alumni, faculty, and staff donors.

Learn more about our scholarship and awards!

Academic Advising

Every semester, the center hosts academic advisors from the School of Arts and Sciences to host drop-in hours! If you’ve never seen an academic advisor, these LGBTQA Liaisons will help guide you through your graduation requirements and academic programs. Check our calendar for upcoming dates. Outside of our drop-in hours, academic advising is available across all academic schools. See below for more information.

SAS Academic Advising

School of Engineering Academic Advising

SEBS Academic Advising

Mason Gross Academic Advising

LGBTQA and Social Justice Academic Programs

The Rutgers community is fortunate to many faculty and graduate students whose research and expertise focus on LGBTQA issues and experiences, as well as courses with a broader gender lens. Our students also have access to a diverse array of courses, across disciplines, that center social justice pedagogy.

Minor in Critical Sexuality Studies

Minor in Critical Social Justice

Minor in Women & Gender Studies

Major in Women & Gender Studies

Minor in Comparative and Critical Race & Ethnic Studies

Major/Minor in Africana Studies

Major/Minor in Latino & Caribbean Studies

Certificate in Asian/Asian American Studies

Concerned about a student? Do something!

Off-Campus and Regional Resources

Off-Campus and Regional Resources

Bilingual Resources

Be Yourself | Se Tu Mismo (Spanish translation)

Questions and Answers for Parents and Families of Gay and Lesbian Youth (Mandarin Chinese/English side-by-side translation)

List of Resources

Check out our whole list of resources, including their locations and services provided:

Health and Wellness Resources

RWJ Proud Center: Somerset, NJ
Resource Link
Specialized primary care services for the LGBTQIA community at RWJ University Hospital’s PROUD Family Health.
Hyacinth Foundation: Locations in Jersey City, Paterson, Plainfield, Trenton, New Brunswick, Newark
Resource Link
The Hyacinth Foundation helps people live with HIV, stop the spread of the epidemic, and serve as a critical voice in the public debate surrounding AIDS in New Jersey.
Rutgers Center for Transgender Health: Newark, NJ
Resource Link
The mission of the Rutgers Center for Transgender Health is to establish an epicenter in New Jersey that will improve the health and well-being of transgender people through evidence-based clinical care, research and education.
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center: NYC, New York
Resource Link | @callenlorde on Twitter and Instagram
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities — in all their diversity — regardless of ability to pay. To further this mission, Callen-Lorde promotes health education and wellness, and advocates for LGBTQ health issues.
Mazzoni Center: Philadelphia, PA
Resource Link | @MazzoniCenter on Twitter and Instagram
To provide quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBTQ-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals we serve.
Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists Online Referral System: Online
Resource Link
A community of psychiatrists that educates and advocates on LGBTQ mental health issues.
GLMA (Gay & Lesbian Medical Association): Online
Resource Link
GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and all sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, and equality for LGBTQ/SGM health professionals in their work and learning environments
GLSEN LGBT Sex Ed: Online
Resource Link
Inclusive Sexual Health Education for LGBTQIA+ people.
LGBT Health Clinics by State and City (CDC): Online
Resource Link
“People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender have a variety of health needs. Find networks, services, and health clinics by state available to address those needs.”
GMHC: Online and NYC
Resource Link
GMHC is the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization. Our mission is to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. Today, we serve 10,000 people in New York City with comprehensive psychosocial and prevention services.
Broadway House: Newark, NJ
Resource Link | @broadwayhousenj on Instagram and Twitter
Broadway House for Continuing Care offers comprehensive extended care for people who are recovering from an acute illness or injury. For more than 25 years, we’ve provided exceptional medical, social, and spiritual support, including through our nationally recognized medical program for those with HIV/AIDS.

Pride Center of NJ: Highland Park, NJ
Resource Link | @pridecenternj on Twitter
Welcoming space for all individuals who identify as LGBTQ to find support, educational tools, health and education resources, and social opportunities within a community of acceptance.
Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice: Princeton Junction, NJ
Resource Link | @rustincenter on Instagram and Twitter
Advocacy, education, safe haven & community activism for LGBTQIA, transgender, immigrant children, youth, and families.
HiTOPS: Princeton, NJ
Resource Link | @hitops_princeton on Instagram and @HiTOPSinc on Twitter
HiTOPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fosters strong and healthy young people of all identities by providing inclusive and youth-informed sex education and LGBTQ+ support for young people throughout New Jersey.
Hudson Pride: Jersey City, NJ
Resource Link
Hudson Pride Center is a home and voice for the diverse LGBTQ community and our allies that advocates for our physical, mental, social and political well-being.
NJ Pride Parade: Asbury Park, NJ
Resource Link
New Jersey’s annual celebration of Pride.
Newark LGBTQ Community Center: Newark, NJ
Resource Link
LGBT Center serving the Newark community.
EDGE NJ: Morris Plains, NJ and Denville, NJ | @edge_nj on Instagram
Resource Link
The mission of EDGE New Jersey is to respond compassionately and responsibly to the HIV+ and LGBTQ+ communities by providing supportive services, housing opportunities, prevention strategies and education to enhance the community we serve.
QSpot LGBT Community Center: Asbury Park, NJ
Resource Link
QSpot fosters the health, well-being, and pride of NJ’s LGBT and allied community.
NJ AIDS Walk: Multiple NJ location
Resource Link
The New Jersey AIDS Walk is held annually on the first Sunday in May in 5 locations. Walks range from a 5 – 10k loop depending on site. It inspires hope for friends and loved ones who are battling this illness.
The Center NYC: New York
Resource Link
The Center fosters a welcoming environment where everyone is celebrated for who they are. We offer the LGBTQ communities of NYC advocacy, health and wellness programs; arts, entertainment and cultural events; recovery, parenthood and family support services.
The Audre Lorde Project: NYC
Resource Link
The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community organizing center, focusing on the New York City area.
FIERCE!: NYC
Resource Link
FIERCE is a membership-based organization building the leadership and power of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth of color in New York City.
NJ Gay Life: Online
Resource Link
NJ Gay Life provides information on queer-owned businesses, support programs, and various other services that exist accross the state of New Jersey.
William Way LGBT Center: Philadelphia, PA | @waygayphilly on Instagram and @WayGay on Twitter
Resource Link
The William Way LGBT Community Center serves the LGBTQIA+ community of Philadelphia and its allies 365 days a year. From social groups, networking events, and counseling and support services to art exhibitions and cultural experiences, the Center consistently strives to provide new and innovative programs for the LGBTQIA+ communities throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Activism and Advocacy Resources

Human Rights Campaign: National
Resource Link
HRC’s campaigns are focused on mobilizing those who envision a world strengthened by diversity, where our laws and society treat all people equally, including LGBTQ people and those who are multiply marginalized.
National LGBTQ Task Force: National
Resource Link
The National LGBTQ Task Force advances full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives.
Lambda Legal: New York
Resource Link
Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
The New York City Anti-Violence Project: NYC
Resource Link
AVP empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy.
ACLU: Online
Resource Link
The ACLU works to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, & queer people belong everywhere and can live openly and authentically without discrimination, harassment, or violence.
The LGBT Bar: Online
Resource Link | @lgbtbar on Instagram and Twitter
Connect, Share Knowledge, and Succeed Within the LGBTQ+ and Ally Legal Community.
NCLR (National Center for Lesbian Rights): Online
Resource Link
NCLR is a leader at the forefront of advancing civil and human rights for LGBTQ individuals and their families through impact litigation, public policy, and public education.
PFLAG: Online
Resource Link
PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.
National Center for Trans Equality: Digital/Physical (various)
Resource Link | @transequality on Twitter
The National Center for Trans Equality has many resources for trans-related legal concerns in each US state.
Garden State Equality: Online
Resource Link
New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ advocacy and education organization with over 150,000 members.
Provides quality, innovative community programs, educates and trains service providers, and passes pro-equality policies to protect and meet the needs of LGBTQ New Jerseyans.
GLAAD: Online
Resource Link | @glaad on Instagram and Twitter
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change.

Emergent Resources

Dean of Students: New Brunswick, NJ
Resource Link
Deans of Students foster the personal and education development of students. We enhance this process through integration of student experiences, both in and out of the classroom, by creating various and seamless learning opportunities.
LGBT Rain Foundation Essex County: Digital
Resource Link
We are providing a solution to LGBT homelessness among our adolescents. By providing housing and an array of detailed, relevant and responsive services we can start to help them transition and heal from any past or present situations and open up a world of opportunities that will enable them to develop sustainable skills and live productive lives.
Ali Forney Center: NYC
Resource Link
The Ali Forney Center in NYC is dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ homeless youth.
Trans Lifeline: Digital/Phone
Resource Link | @TransLifeline on Twitter and Instagram
Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
Trevor Project: Digital/Phone
Resource Link | @trevorproject on Twitter
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth.