Oakland University LGBTQIA Employee Resource Group

10/12/2020

To celebrate yesterday, here is a Coming Out story from Blake Bonkowski - CAS Academic Adviser, COM 1100 Instructor (he/him/his) and OU alumni! Thanks for sharing Blake and thanks for all you do for students at OU!

"I came out at OU before anywhere else. The Gender and Sexuality Center provided me the community and space I needed to explore my sexual orientation and gender identity, try out new names and pronouns. There I received the love, respect and knowledge I needed to be able to come out to myself, then my friends in the GSC. Finally, I moved on campus junior year, and began using the name Blake and he/him/his pronouns with the entire campus, even though I wasn't out at home. Living in this Hannah Montana style double life was not easy, but it was what I needed at the time. I needed a safe place to test the waters. To gauge reactions. To gain the vocabulary I'd use for myself. I am proud to be a q***r, FTM transgender person, and part of the OU community. I came back to OU to model to other trans students that we can be successful, happy, and embraced by communities."

09/18/2020

https://oaklandpostonline.com/33081/campus/goodbye-to-chick-fil-a-in-the-oakland-center/?fbclid=IwAR328lHs3j3ZgiFpgXJ5XzZcgbl_-9oWo6ES0-ZmXGxb8FzvYoTHr4MT-5w ❤️

One of the 15 chains in Michigan, Chick-fil-A at Oakland University, may be permanently closed. Chick-fil-A, an Atlanta-based company and one of the most successful fast-food chicken chains, has become an unlikely battleground in the American culture. When its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dan Cathy...

07/01/2020

Happy Pride Month OU!!! Check out Blake’s story in OU Magazine 🌈❤️

Defining One's Identity / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / OU Magazine / Oakland University

06/18/2020

LGBTQIA ERG Pride Month Virtual Happy Hour tonight at 5:30pm! Join us by signing up at tinyurl.com/QERGhappyhour and we’ll send you the link to the happy hour ❤️🌈

06/03/2020

Join us on Thursday for Pride Month Happy Hour. Sign up at tinyurl.com/QERGhappyhour to get the link to join!

05/27/2020

LGBTQIA Folx are struggling right now without our safe spaces and community, campus being one of those places. Especially for our students.

Everyone stay home if you can and resist going to the summer gatherings so we can all see each other this fall!

05/13/2020

If you or anyone you know is in need of food or other resources, check out Affirmations in Ferndale!

‼️

Are you in need of food or toiletries right now???

In collaboration with Gleaners Community Food Bank and Wayne State University's LGBT People in Medicine Group, Affirmations will be distributing FREE Food Boxes with optional toiletries weekly to those who might need them.

When: Every Friday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Where: The back of Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center at 290 W. Nine Mile Road in Ferndale.

What: Pick up a free box containing a 2 week supply of non-perishable food with toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, tooth paste, hygiene products, condoms and lubrication available upon request. Boxes are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

How: Pull up to the back alley and our Volunteers will place the goods into your car or they will leave your box outside for you to grab, whichever you prefer!

For more information or to request toiletries, please call (248) 629-6950 or email [email protected].

Can't come to the Center? No problem! We've got a limited amount of grant dollars to provide FREE Instacart food deliveries under $75 per order. Interested? Contact Dave Garcia at [email protected] or 248-629-6110.

11/06/2019

Join us this Friday for some support from your fellow LGBTQIA OU Employees :) 478 O'Dowd 12pm BYOLunch

10/15/2019

Join us this Friday, October 18th in 110 A O'Dowd for the LGBTQIA ERG monthly meeting. Bring your lunch, meet colleagues from around campus, and discuss the purpose of the organization and ideas for possible future events. Hope to see you there!