To Our OutLaw Community,
Today, many LGBTQIA+ individuals are feeling the weight of a new and uncertain political environment. In such a time of change and doubt, it is natural to feel frustration, fear, grief, disillusionment, and the entire myriad of emotions. While many of us may feel the shock of a devastating setback, or that the world is testing our hopes and sense of progress, we will always have the certainty of this community.
In times like these, building a resilient community means having empathy and showing kindness to others and ourselves. We encourage you to sit with your emotions and do what you must to care for yourself and the people around you. You are supported by a strong and loving community here at BU Law that believes in you and the power of our community to persevere through any hardship.
In the past few years, but particularly the past few months, our communities have come under attack from harmful, politicized rhetoric. While today may mark a new set of circumstances, our fears, hopes, strengths, and goals have not changed. Our LGBTQIA+ community has historically faced many challenges, but we have always shown remarkable resilience, standing together through countless struggles. This legacy of resilience reminds us that, no matter the obstacles, we continue to push forward, uplift each other, and work toward a future where all of us can live authentically and freely in a better and more hopeful world.
We encourage you to draw strength from those who have come before you and recognize that our community holds the power to transform our feelings and struggles into meaningful actions. Our voices can uplift, amplify, and create meaningful change, showing that even in the face of adversity, our unity and resilience endure. As law students, we are in a unique position to take hold of opportunities for change in our communities as we feel able to do so.
You are not alone, and you have a strong community of people who are here to support, grieve with, and encourage you. If you would like to talk or need support, please do not hesitate to contact your OutLaw e-board and fellow OutLaw members.
We are including some resources that we hope may provide you with guidance, support, and strength. Moreover, our office hours tomorrow will be an opportunity to come by to voice your concerns, fears, and feelings. We hope to hold a space for everyone to come together and find comfort in our community. Please do not hesitate to reach out, and take care of yourselves and each other during these emotional and challenging times.
With Love,
OutLaw E-Board
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OutLaw Office Hours:
Thursday, November 7 from 1-2 pm
Room 410 with tea, snacks, and community
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Resources:
LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Center
617-353-3908
808 Commonwealth Ave. Suite 2M
Trans Lifeline:
(877) 565-8860
The Network/La Red (LGBTQ)
(617) 742-4911
Student Health Services
(617) 353-3575
881 Commonwealth Avenue
Student Wellbeing
studentwellbeing@bu.edu
930 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1020
GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project
1-800-832-1901
Sargent Choice Nutrition Center
(617) 353-2721
635 Commonwealth Avenue, 6th Floor
Massachusetts Domestic Violence Programs for Survivors (list)
Student Health Services Behavioral Medicine
If you’re feeling stressed, worried, or depressed, the experts at SHS Behavioral Health can guide you toward mental and emotional health and stability.
Behavioral Medicine Groups & Workshops
Behavioral Medicine offers various workshops and groups to help you address a variety of mental health related needs. Participating in one of these options will help decrease isolation and expand your support network, while gaining effective coping skills.
BU Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders
BU CARD is a clinic specializing in anxiety disorders and related challenges, such as mood, sleep, concentration, and pain and is open to both adults and children.
Headspace
Headspace is the mindfulness app that helps with stress, anxiety, sleep, and focus. And the best part is, you get it for free as a BU graduate student.
Alcohol & Drug Programs
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol or drugs, Student Health Services offers a wealth of information on counseling, recovery, screening, and intervention services.
Terriers Connect
The Terriers Connect training program teaches members of the Boston University community to identify signs of distress, develop effective skills for communicating with and supporting students, and provide accurate information about referrals to mental health professionals.
Togetherall Peer Support
Togetherall is a peer-to-peer mental health support community, available online for all BU students. It is completely anonymous and monitored by mental health professionals 24/7.
Interrupt: A Training for Graduate Students
Graduate students, face a unique set of challenges when confronted with sexual misconduct. Power differentials, dual roles, gender-based harassment, and the interpersonal dynamics that often exist in a department or cohort can contribute to difficult situations. Interrupt is an interactive training designed to help graduate students identify opportunities, and build the skills, to interrupt sexual misconduct.
The Danielsen Institute
The Albert & Jessie Danielsen Institute offers individual, couples, family & group therapy in an outpatient mental health clinic for persons in the greater Boston area.
The Sexual Assault Response & Prevention Center (SARP) compassionately responds to survivors of trauma and prevents interpersonal violence through awareness and education. SARP provides free-of-charge counseling and advocacy to Boston University students who have experienced a traumatic event, responding to traumas such as sexual assault, dating violence, and other types of interpersonal violence. SARP clinical services include a 24/7 crisis line, advocacy (medical, legal, and academic), individual counseling and referrals to community providers, and group counseling.
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OutLaw - BU Law's LGBTQ+ Student Organization
Jam Hammond (he/him) - Co-President
Morgan McMillan (she/her) - Co-President
Emma Ferdinandi (she/they) - Vice President
Chloe Buck (she/her) - Secretary
Max Gildred (they/them) - Treasurer
Audrey Chu (they/them) - Advocacy Chair
Alexis Luckett (she/her) - Outreach Chair
Caroline Crawford (she/her) - Networking Chair