The Hidden Center.

a dresser that has
 pamphlets, and pins

   Have you ever gone to the first floor of the Kehr Union building? For the most part the answer to that would be no, because nothing is really down on that floor, the only 2 ways of to get down to the first floor being through the fireside lounge elevator, or the door by the entrance of the Kehr Union Building. I would say however that the gender and sexuality resource center that resides on the first floor has a lot of resources that do have a lot of uses. the first time I went, because a friend, and roommate recommended it to me. 

   I went to the center on a Wednesday. The actual center seemed small at first. a dresser with a glass jar of flags and pads sat on the other side of the door. the person that sat at the front desk, and greeted me, I said hi back, and signed in through the paper sign in sheet. the actual center stood bigger rooms than what I had originally imagined. the person in charge of the center greeted me as I walked into one of the rooms. She had blonde hair that was braided into a ponytail, and wearing red business casual clothes. She kindly gave me a tour of the center. the outside area of the rooms had a grey couch with a tv that cycled through various genres of music. A table with a bunch of chairs, and a bookshelf with various books on the shelf also resided there. another table that had a few bean bag chairs close by it, and a small jar of jolly rancher candies. talking to a senior that was majoring in nutrition revealed that people from across campus, and the apartments that are farther away were going to this center for a variety of reasons, after talking to her for a little while I continued on my tour. The first room had a clothing closet that contained a few racks of various clothing like shirts, dresses, jackets, skirts, pants, and shoes. I ended up taking a few clothes with me back to my dorm because Megan mentioned that I could take some home with me if I wanted to. The room next to the clothing closet called the Mindfulness room had soundproof walls in it as well as a few comfy bean bag chairs, and pillows which can be used as a private room for therapy sessions, or if someone just wants to be left alone. The final rooms volunteers, or the people that worked there would work on things with the huge computer or talk about plans. 

comfy chairs, sofa and a table with the bi flag on the wall

   I naturally questioned how they get funding to do all of these events, and have all of these things at the center in the first place? Megan responded by saying the funding typically comes from the Bloomsburg University, and the government, if the center gets used by people, another way they get money happens during the yearly drag show in the fall semester either during September, or October, which is $15 dollars to get into the event, finally donations through staff or alumni, or physical things like clothing for the clothing closet, supplies such as rulers, highlighters, or other school supplies, donations from any of these outlets can help make sure that the center will have things in the future and have the ability to host more events Megan exclaimed. 

a glass jar filled with pride flags

I finally asked what kind of events they host throughout the year, and what kind of clubs they run over the course of the semester. she replied by saying "Some of the clubs that they host during the week Bloomsburg University Equality Alliance (BUEA) which holds 2 meetings a week every Tuesday, and Wednesday. Tuesdays have events held such as game night, and panels with guests on the second floor of Kehr Union, and Wednesday's events have people just talking, and either crocheting, or knitting things. A newer event held on Thursdays called Spark holds information sessions like how to cook on a budget, self-care, and digital kindness. During the course of the year, the center likes to hold events across campus, such as nachos, and navigating relationships, and the bi visibility celebration, as well as fundraisers like making, and selling bracelets for various organizations".    

Overall, the Gender, and Sexuality Resource Center remains a pretty vital resource center on campus that may go underutilized on campus, because a lot of people may overlook it, or just have no clue where it sets. It has resources across campus that can benefit students, staff, or alumni, and the events that happen across campus can hold new memories, and experiences.