Sometimes, finding your people starts with a place to hang out, study, or make a bracelet.
QBurgh’s Kalliyan Winder visited the University of Pittsburgh’s Rainbow Alliance to learn how the LGBTQ+ student group helps students build community while navigating college life and their identities.
“We aim to create a place where you can just sort of exist as you are,” a Rainbow Alliance officer explained.
That includes the Rainbow Office on the sixth floor of the William Pitt Union; a space to study, get creative, relax, and feel less alone in your queer identity.
The conversations also explore how meeting other LGBTQ+ people can give students room to better understand themselves, try different labels, and feel more comfortable being openly queer on campus. Collaborations with other queer student groups offer a reminder that Rainbow Alliance is part of a larger campus community.
For students unsure where to start, their advice is straightforward. “Just put yourself out there.” You don’t need to have your identity figured out to meet people, ask questions, and find connections that could last well beyond college.
Watch the video to hear more about finding queer community at Pitt.