Editor's note: Due to safety concerns, the graduate and undergraduate employees at Eastern Michigan University's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center do not permit the publishing of their last names. Out of respect for these workers, this information has been omitted from this story.
With the LGBT Resource Center's former director, Emma Wuetrich, officially working as the new director of EMU Campus Life as of Jan. 5, 2026, the center has continued to operate as normal thanks to the student employees and interns who work for it.
The LGBTRC offers a variety of resources to students across the gender and orientation spectrum. Recently, the Office of Access and Opportunity received a name change, formerly titled the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Sarah, an EMU student studying anthropology and fourth-year intern at the LGBTRC, weighed in on whether or not students should expect any changes with the change in director, as well as recent crackdowns on DEI programming in public institutions that led to the office's shift in title.
"Within the change of the name, all of our resources are still here," Sarah said. "Specifically speaking for the LGBT Resource Center, there has been nothing changing about the capacity in which we serve our students, the resources we provide and the events that we are programming. We are still fully running at full capacity."
Gender-Affirming Clothing Closet
An initiative that started four years ago, the LGBTRC Gender-Affirming Closet offers free clothing to students who come to EMU not necessarily having the closet that they want. Whether they would like to have clothing that better fits their gender expression or just expand what they have in their closet, students can come by and get what they need, Sarah said.
"Traditionally, it was a clothing swap," Sarah said. "However, we have received so many donations that now we're truly just giving away clothes."
While the closet offers clothing aimed at aiding the gender expression of students, its resources are available to anyone. The closet is available inside the LGBTRC, located on the third floor of the Student Center.
Support groups
Both the Transgender Affinity Group and Asexual and Aromantic Community Circle are support groups run by social work interns. These groups offer students on campus the chance to build community and raise visibility for different identities across campus.
For more information on these groups and their meeting times, email the center at lgbtrc@emich.edu.
Bra and Binder Exchange Program
For students in need of a binder, the LGBTRC offers gently used and donated binders for students to collect for free.
"We can either see if we do have your size in stock, and if we don't, we will take your size and order you one," Sarah said.
Students wishing to shop the selection can do so by emailing the center at lgbtrc@emich.edu or by stopping in during walk-in office hours.
COBO: Coming Out Being Out
COBO is a counseling service for LGBTQ+ students, as well as those questioning their identities, designed for discussions and topics regarding coming out, sexuality and gender identity.
For more information, students can email the group at counseling.services@emich.edu.
GYT: Get Yourself Tested
GYT offers weekly free screening tests for sexually transmitted infections. Students are not required to have insurance. Students can sign up to attend the screening every Thursday; however, hours are subject to change throughout the summer semester. The testing applies for most STIs, but it specializes in HIV screenings. Students can expect screenings to last approximately 35-40 minutes.
Students can sign up for a free screening on the EMU LGBTRC website.
LGBTRC director
For those interested in working for the LGBTRC, the official job posting for the vacant director position is set to soon release. The individual who holds this position serves as the full-time program coordinator for the LGBTRC.
"That's not just coordinating events; that's also coordinating with campus when it comes to queer accessibility and visibility," Sarah said. "The current project we're working on is managing how we show and how we represent gender-neutral bathrooms on campus. You're not only the coordinator for the programs that we do here that are queer-centered; you are also the go-to person when it comes to being queer on campus."
For more information on the EMU LGBTRC, the resources it offers and its hours of operation, visit its page on EMU's website. The group will also be tabling at Campus Life's upcoming Eagle-Con event, EMU's own version of Comic Con, Feb. 17, 2026, from 7-10 p.m.
The LGBTRC is open to students Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is also open Friday by appointment only.
