Established in 2004, the mission of the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) is to provide safe spaces for all members of the UT Austin community to explore, organize, and promote learning around issues of gender and sexuality. The center also facilitates a greater responsiveness to the needs of women and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities through education, outreach, and advocacy.

The center, now part of DDCE, is guided by a strategic plan developed by the center’s staff and members of the GSC’s Advisory and Working Group comprised of students, faculty, and staff, and community members who also provide feedback, conduct outreach, and evaluate programs and services.

One of the center’s major goals is to contribute to the successful transition of first-year students to the UT community and ensure students’ graduation, as well as integrate women and LGBTQ students into campus life and improve the efficacy of LGBTQ and women student leaders.

Last year proved to be a year of growth and opportunities for the center. For the second consecutive year, it hosted Lavender Graduation, an event that recognizes the accomplishments of graduating LGBTQ and ally students. The GSC launched its speaker series, with support and partnerships from departments and units throughout the university, and established the Peers for Pride program for UT students. Additionally, the GSC’s director taught “Third Wave Feminism and the UT Campus,” a course designed to explore the tenets of Third Wave Feminism and engage the greater campus community in dialogue about the issues affecting women today.

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