First Contact
Looking for support or a community that understands what you are going through? First Contact offers support, connection to a community, and an opportunity for more experienced students to give back. The Office of Multicultural Affairs' Safe Space Campaign/LGBTQ Project and Spectrum are proud to partner to make First Contact available to the LSU community. We hope you will take advantage of all this program has to offer. Designed for students who are in need of support as they engage questions related to their own sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, First Contact connects students with trained Peer Contacts who have had similar experiences and are knowledgeable about available resources. Students that are out, in "the closet", or questioning their attractions or identity will benefit from having one-on-one conversations with a Peer Contact.
Community
First Contact also assists students seeking to locate and connect with a community who will accept them for who they are and offer social-support as they navigate the self-exploration that comes with being a college student. Peer Contacts are connected within the LSU and Baton Rouge LGBTQ communities and will introduce students to these communities and offer them support as they begin to get involved. In particular, students are encouraged to become a member of Spectrum at LSU, a vibrant student organization that provides social, educational, and advocacy activities for everyone regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
What Now?
Participating in the program is easy!
If you are interested in being connected with a Peer Contact, please fill out the web form on the First Contact Questionnaire page and click "Submit". We will use the information you provide to match you with a compatible Peer Contact who will be well-positioned to offer you the support you are seeking. Within a few days a Peer Contact will email you to set up a meeting time and place. All communication before your meeting with a Contact will be via email and all information will be kept private. After your first meeting you and your Peer Contact will establish how to proceed in your process and in what ways they can offer you the unique support you deserve.
If you are interested in becoming a Peer Contact or have any questions or concerns, please email Anthony Basco, First Contact Student Coordinator, at firstcontact@lsu.edu or Micah Caswell, Safe Space Campaign/LGBTQ Project Coordinator at lgbtqproject@lsu.edu.