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LGBTQ+ Center

Rainbow over the Lefton Esplanade and the arch on front campus.

"No rain, no rainbows," is how the saying goes and on this rainy morning, a rainbow glowed over the Lefton Esplande and all of Kent. 

Rainbow Weekend bridge decorators 2024

The fourth annual Rainbow Weekend in downtown Kent Oct. 11-13 and all of its fun activities, events and new Drag Race 5K  come from a fabulous partnership between Â鶹´«Ã½'s LGBTQ+ Center and Main Street Kent. 

LGBTQ+ Kick-Off 2024

Before classes began for Fall Semester 2024, the Kent State Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) Center welcomed the university's LGBTQ+ community back to campus with a Fall Kickoff event.

Kent State at Akron Pride 2023

Â鶹´«Ã½'s LGBTQ+ Center is celebrating Pride Month by boosting activities statewide, collaborating with local events, hosting a walking group and planning for a fabulous Fall Semester. 

Lavender Graduation 2024

Ahead of university-wide commencement ceremonies, the annual Lavender Graduation ceremony honors the achievements of graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQ+) students at Â鶹´«Ã½

Meghan Schwind Banner

As a spouse, a mother and a member of Kent State's LGBTQ+ community, Meghan Schwind shares her thoughts for Women's History Month on challenges women face and her hopes for rising generations of women.

LGBTQ students and allies painted The Rock

Members of Kent State's LGBTQ+ community and their allies used The Rock to share a call for kindness. 

Safe Space Ally Training

Offered regularly on the Kent Campus, the university’s Safe Space Ally Training aims to equip students, faculty, staff and university community members with the tools for creating Safe Spaces and welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ students on campus. Diane Smith, reporter for the Record-Courier, took part in Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Safe Space Ally Training, giving readers a first-person perspective on what the program involves.

Ken Ditlevson and others decorating the Main Street Bridge for Rainbow Weekend

Students coming to Kent State and, for some of them, living away from home for the first time can struggle with the transition. The transition can even be more difficult for LGBTQ+ students, particularly for those who have recently "come out." Ken Ditlevson, director of Kent State's LGBTQ+ Center, talks about the many resources available at Kent to support them.