QRC History

History of the Queer Resource Center

by Emma Stammen

• Early 1970s: an informal group of students started to meet at Monsour Counseling Center, and called themselves the “Gay Student Union” (GSU)
• 1978: a feminist, women-only group called “Feminists Against Repression” (FAR) began to organize against sexism
• 1981-1982: lesbian students protested the Gay Student Union, and the group’s name was changed to the Lesbian and Gay Student Union (LGSU)
• 1993: After the LGSU proposed creating an official center, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Resource Center (LGBRC), also known as “The Closet”, was opened in Walker Lounge at Pomona College. The center had a student board and a steering committee with included 5C faculty and staff
• 1995: the LGBRC changed its name to the Queer Resource Center (QRC)
• 2001: the QRC began the Queer, Questioning and Allied Mentor Program (QQAMP), which pairs mentors and mentees and provides support and informed guidance on any queer-related issues
• 2006: the QRC moved to its current location in Walton Commons at Pomona College
• 2011: the President’s Council of the Claremont Colleges agreed to extend the QRC into a formally funded 7-college resource center, bolstering the QRC’s programming budget and providing funding for two full-time positions: QRC Director and QRC Program Coordinator
• 2012/2013: QRC staff began to collect oral histories from students, staff, faculty, and alumni of the Claremont Colleges. In the fall of 2013, the QRC collaborated with the Pomona College Museum of Art for “a special exhibition of our oral archives in commemoration of LGBTQ History month. In this installation, photographs, alumni surveys, quotations, and a visual display complimented exhibition of our audio files during an Art After Hours event at the Dunn Gallery” (QRC website: Queerstory). The exhibition was also displayed at the QRC in the 2014 spring semester

To find out more about the QRC today, please visit their website.

QRC Flyers 1983-2018

The Queer Resource Center Today

by Emma Stammen

Mission Statement: “The mission of the Queer Resource Center (QRC) of The Claremont Colleges is to empower each LGBTQIA+ (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/agender) person to have a positive college experience, grow as a self-aware individual and be a responsible community member. Specifically, the QRC provides support, resources, leadership development, and an inclusive and welcoming space for all members of The Claremont Colleges (i.e., 7C community) to explore topics related to diverse sexual and gender identities. Through collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, the QRC creates opportunities for fellow- ship, thoughtful dialogue, and the pursuit of knowledge. The QRC does this through enlivening its physical space, providing quality programming, building strong relationships, encouraging personal growth, ensuring safety, and documenting history. In working towards these goals, the QRC recognizes and actively addresses the diversity within and beyond the queer community – this includes, but is not limited to, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sex, class, religion and ability among many other intersections of identity.”

What’s in the QRC:

• Lounge: used for organizational meetings, homework and studying, or hanging out with friends (also called the rainbow ski lodge)

• Computer Lab Library: contains a collection of over

2,000 books and movies related to sex, gender, and sexuality

• Clothing Closet: people can come in to add to their personal closets, swap out clothes, or drop off slightly used clothing. “We focus on clothing for gender non- conforming folks, students who may be transitioning, and professional attire, but we welcome any and all donations! In addition to clothes, we also have a few binders, shoes, and accessories” (QRC Website)

Events/Programs:

• The QRC offers educational, social, and social justice oriented programming to reflect the needs of diverse LGBTQIA communities

• Every year, the center holds seasonal events and weekly support programs, and queer allyship trainings

• Lavender Graduation: annual celebration to recognize the scholarship and community contributions of LGBTQIA graduation and graduate students

• Annual programming: National Coming Out Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Gaypril, and Lavender Graduation