Finding resources and clubs in and around school campuses can feel overwhelming to pursue, but Long Beach State has over 300 clubs on campus representing 12 diverse categories according to Student Life and Development. A number of those clubs represent the LGBTQ+ community.
From the walk to and from class then back to the car, there are many resources that are offered to students in the LGBTQ+ community on campus.
What students may be unaware about is that Counseling and Psychological Services, also known as CAPS, has a Trans Care Team on campus.
“The Counseling and Psychological Services Trans Care Team was created to support and advocate for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse students at CSULB. We provide gender affirming mental health services, letters of support for surgery, and help with referrals,” as stated as their mission statement on their website.
Services provided from CAPS includes case management, brief therapy and letter of support.
To schedule a counseling appointment students can call to make an appointment or visit CAPS in Brotman Hall in room 226.
Queer Student Alliance (QSA) is the largest group on campus for queer students to be part of regardless of sexual orientation and identity.
“it’s a pretty large community and they hold like various meetings and events and stuff and it’s a good way for students to connect with other LGBTQ+ students to make friends and just bond,” said Sky Na, former board member of QSA and current president of Trans Empowerment and Advocacy.
Across campus, not far from the library, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center is located at the Student Cultural Resource Center and was created “to serve the greater campus community by striving to create a safer and supportive environment for all LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff, as well as the community members who identify as allies,” as stated on their website.
Na explained that it is a safe space for students to hang out and be themselves.
Rainbow Cafe is provided as a space for students to feel inclusive and supportive in the community. The cafe is facilitated by Dr. Lauren Jensen, a CAPS psychologist. Students can stop on Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Multicultural Center (FO3-Room 2).
Delta Lambda Phi is a fraternity that has been around since 1986 and has provided students within the LGBTQ+ community to have an opportunity to part of a frat that shows diversity and respect. Students can find more info on BeachSync.
And lastly, CSULB Transgender Empowerment and Advocacy, also known as CSULB TEA, is a space made specially for CSULB students that identify as non-binary, transgender, gender-nonconforming, genderqueer, questioning or anyone else along those spectrums.