The Queer Ally Coalition will be re-established on the UO campus this fall through an initiative by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Education Support Services Program.

According to Maure Smith-Benanti, assistant director of the support services program, the coalition never completely stopped. QAC members simply decided to take time off in order to re-evaluate training agenda and resources, refresh their public relations and marketing strategies and reconsider their overall approach to the program.

The coalition says its goal is to “create ongoing educational opportunities for dialogue between Queer Ally Coalition members and the University of Oregon community, to explore our multiple and intersecting identities and to expand our understanding of the issues that impact our greater community.”

The re-launching of the coalition has been in the works for a while and organizers are excited about  the revised program, Smith-Benanti said. Once the program is launched three types of training will be available to members of the campus community: General training, custom training and facilitator training.

General training is simply an introduction to LGBT ally development, and anyone is welcome to attend. Custom training is for campus groups that have requested more information or training on a particular LGBT-related topic, and facilitator training is held annually and is open to all UO students, although participants must first attend a general training session.

Three coalition workshops also are scheduled to take place this fall and are open to all members of the UO community looking to understand the issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. The dates of the workshops and the trainings will be announced soon.

For more information on the coalition’s mission and trainings, visit its website. Scheduling requests and questions can be sent to program@uoregon.edu.

—By Nathaniel Brown, Public Affairs Communications intern