From: LGBTQ+ Student Services [Thrive Center]
Date: February 25, 2025
Subject: The Gayhound: Vol. 1 Issue 4


vol. 1 issue 4 FEBRUARY 25, 2025
The Gayhound: A bi-weekly newsletter from LGBTQ+ Student Services

Greetings, Gayhounds & Friends!

Though the uncertainty and chaos continues, I've felt incredibly grateful for all of the care, concern, and support that's been offered by students, colleagues, and university leadership. I hope that you all have been experiencing the same though if not, reach out - we've got you. Our commitment to this work remains steadfast as it is deeply connected to Loyola's mission and Jesuit Catholic values. 

It's also important to remember the power of resistance. In today's issue of The Gayhound, take a look at our Education & Advocacy Corner to see all that has come from people stepping up and speaking out for what they believe. It's led to some important protections and wins!

There are ways that we can do the same here at Loyola. If you haven't already, please be sure to complete the Thriving Spaces campus climate survey - open to all students and employees. The results of the survey will help to broaden Loyola's scope around diversity and inclusion, and inform actions for the future. It's so important that LGBTQ+ voices, with all their intersecting identities, be heard through this survey! Plus, there are some INCREDIBLE raffle PRIZES!
 
Your Voice Counts. Thriving Spaces: Environment for Learning, Living, and Working Survey

As always, remember to take care of yourself and one another. We're here to do the same. 

Much thanks,
Pat & the LGBTQ+ Student Services team


Pat Cassidy (he/him)
Director, LGBTQ+ Student Services
pjcassidy@loyola.edu / 410-617-2112
Schedule a time to connect with me!
Health & Wellness Corner
Meditation circle

Body Image & Disordered Eating in the LGBTQ+ Community 

Hey Hounds, Let’s Talk Body Image
We all have those days where we feel less than great about ourselves, but for many LGBTQ+ students, body image struggles can be tied to gender identity, societal expectations, and community pressures. Whether it’s dealing with unrealistic beauty standards, gender dysphoria, or finding affirming care, navigating body image as a queer student comes with unique challenges. Let’s break it down: 

Why This Matters 

  • Queer & Trans-Specific Pressures: Ever feel like mainstream beauty standards weren’t made for you? That’s because they weren’t. Many LGBTQ+ folks experience body dissatisfaction because our identities aren’t reflected in traditional media. Trans and nonbinary students might also feel additional pressure due to gender dysphoria and societal expectations around body presentation. 

  • Community Expectations & Social Media Influence: Representation matters, but curated social media feeds can sometimes make us feel like we don’t measure up. Learning to embrace body positivity—or body neutrality—can help challenge these unrealistic ideals. 

  • Access to Affirming Healthcare: Not all healthcare providers understand LGBTQ+ experiences with body image and disordered eating. Finding affirming care can be a struggle, but there are providers who will support your emotional and physical well-being. Resources are available to help you connect with professionals who understand and respect LGBTQ+ health needs.  

  • Intersectionality & Cultural Expectations: Body image is impacted by race, gender, culture, and personal experiences. Recognizing these intersections helps build a more holistic approach to self-care. 

How to Build a Healthier Relationship with Your Body 

  • Your Body, Your Rules: There’s no “right” way to look or present yourself. Your body is yours to define, and you deserve to feel comfortable in it. 

  • Filter Your Feed: Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself. Follow LGBTQ+ creators who celebrate diverse body types and identities. 

  • Talk About It: You’re not alone. LGBTQ+-affirming therapists and support groups can help you work through body image struggles in a safe, validating space. Loyola’s Counseling Center also offers identity-affirming professionals who are here to support you on campus–don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance and care.  

  • Focus on Nourishment, Not Punishment: Eating should be about fueling your body, not controlling it. Find movement and foods that make you feel good without guilt. 

Resources for LGBTQ+ Students 

  • The Trevor Project – LGBTQ+ Mental Health & Eating Concerns – Crisis support, and resources tailored for LGBTQ+ youth struggling with body image and eating concerns. 

  • Trans Lifeline – Peer-run support and crisis resources for trans and nonbinary individuals, including issues related to body image and dysphoria. 

You Deserve to Feel at Home in Your Body 

Body image struggles don’t define you, and healing isn’t about changing yourself—it’s about embracing what makes you you. Take care of yourself, challenge harmful narratives, and remember: You are more than enough, exactly as you are. 

Good luck with midterms! Stay strong and supported, 
Juan Varon, Class of 2027 
LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Outreach Coordinator 
lgbtqwellness@loyola.edu 

 

Education & Advocacy Corner
Stonewall Riots 2025

Instilling Hope Through Education and Advocacy

It has no doubt been an upsetting month for our community, and the seemingly never-ending slew of negative headlines seems to only be making things worse. For this week’s column, I have intentionally selected some important, positive headlines to lift your spirits during this confusing time. I hope they keep you grounded during the weeks ahead.  
 

LGTBQ+ Advocacy in Action

Major legal victories challenge anti-LGBTQ legislation targeted towards transgender youth:

  • The NJ Superior Court upheld an injunction preventing 3 Monmouth County school boards from implementing policies that would forcibly out transgender students ⁠ 

  • ⁠A Federal district court has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the enforcement of a Trump administration executive order attempting to shut down access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender people under 19 

  • Kansas’s Governor Laura Kelly vetoes a bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors 

Protests across the country facilitate LGBTQ+ unity  

  • An additional 4,000-7,000 people gathered in NYC last week to protest the Trump Administration’s attempt to block gender-affirming medical care  

Resources 

  • Stay up to date with the good news in our community! 

Stay well and reach out if you are in need of any support—our office is here to help! 

 

All the best, 

Katie Browne, Class of 2025 
Global Studies Capstone Intern

Academic Connections
Stop Dead Naming

Misgendering & Deadnaming in the Classroom (and really anywhere)

Being misgendered or deadnamed in the classroom can have significant social and academic impacts on students. It's critical that we cultivate a community where folks are able to show up fully as themselves without experience harm. 
 

STUDENTS: 

If you are experiencing being misgendered or deadnamed, please reach out to our department. We are here to help you navigate this by sharing resources and offering ways that we can step in to take on the labor of addressing the harm (i.e. reaching out to faculty, connecting you with the Office of Title IX & Bias Compliance, etc.). Reach out to Pat (he/him; pjcassidy@loyola.edu; Director of LGBTQ+ Student Services) or schedule a time to meet with him. 

 

FACULTY (and really anyone): 

The good news is that there are lots of resources available to support your understanding, knowledge, and practice in relation to gender identity. If you haven't already, sign up to participate in Safe Zone Training or carve out some time to read helpful articles and resources: If you have additional questions, you're welcome to reach out to Pat (he/him; pjcassidy@loyola.edu; Director of LGBTQ+ Student Services) as well or schedule a time to meet with him. 

 

Upcoming LGBTQ+ Events

EVENT

Queer Talk: Open Forum - Any/All Topics Are Fair Game! (This Thursday)

Thursday, February 20 at 4:30pm
to Thursday, April 24 at 6:00pm
Private Location (sign in to display)
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

Intentional conversation space for LGBTQ+ students to discuss life topics.
All topics are queer topics in the queer community!
MORE INFORMATION
Apply to be a Flourish Fellow or Thrive Mentor. Click to apply.

EVENT

"We're All Stories", a post-sabbatical exhibition by Professor Mary Beth Akre

Friday, February 21 at 10:00am
to Thursday, April 3 at 8:00pm
Julio Fine Arts Gallery, DeChiaro College Center W131, 4501 North Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210, United States
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

A post-sabbatical exhibition by Professor Mary Beth Akre. This exhibition is the result of a huge amount of work, thought, and research, and includes a collaborative installation featuring the stories of many LGBTQIA+ folks in our community.
RSVP

EVENT

Destress Night

Wednesday, February 26
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Private Location (sign in to display)
Link
Add to Google Cal,Outlook,Yahoo,iCal

During these nervous times we are inviting you to join Spectrum for a destress night! We will have coloring sheets, insomnia cookies, and a space for those who want to discuss the on goings if our current political climate. All are welcome.
RSVP
Training and resources

Register for a Safe Zone training this Spring!

Safe Zone at Loyola University Maryland fosters an affirming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & gender non-conforming, non-binary, queer, pansexual, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQPIA+) members of the University community and their allies. In support of the University's mission to promote intellectual excellence and ethical leadership in the Jesuit tradition, Safe Zone at Loyola:

  • Cultivates dialogue, understanding, and fellowship among all University community members around LGBTQ+ issues and contributions
  • Sponsors designated Safe Zones around campus that offer safety, support, and confidentiality for LGBTQ+ students and their allies
  • Offers training to faculty, staff, administrators, and students on how to fully welcome, support, and value LGBTQ+ people and perspectives in the University community

Becoming Safe Zone trained at Loyola is a three-step process. Training sessions should be completed in order and upon completion of Session 3, participants have the opportunity to sign a commitment to contributing to an affirming campus for LGBTQ+ members. When you see a Safe Zone decal on campus, it indicates that person completed the entirety of Loyola's Safe Zone program.

Spring 2025 Trainings

Session 1: LGBTQPIA+ Awareness Tues., February 11th, 2-4pm (in-person) Fri., March 21st, 2-4pm (virtual)
Session 2: Allyship (must have completed Session 1) Tues., February 18th, 2-4pm (in-person) Fri., March 28th, 2-4pm (virtual)
Session 3: Creating LGBTQPIA+ Affirming Spaces (must have completed Sessions 1 and 2) Tues., February 25th, 2-4pm (in-person) Fri., April 4th, 2-4pm (virtual) 
Upcoming LGBTQ+ Local Events
Hedwig & The Angry Inch

Hedwig & the Angry Inch: March 14-16, 2025

Check out this incredible show at the local Iron Crow Theatre. Need another reason to buy a ticket? Loyola's very own Dr. Natka Bianchini serves as the theater's Managing Director and is producing the show! 

The groundbreaking, Obie-winning Off-Broadway sensation that became a Tony Award®–winning Broadway hit and inspired a multi-award-winning film is back—now reimagined in a thrilling new revival by Baltimore’s Iron Crow Theatre! It tells the story of “internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ‘n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just “an angry inch.” 

Events

Tuesday, February 25
Start End   Event         Location
5:00pm 6:00pm CCSJ Intern Information Session Private Location (sign in to display)
5:00pm 7:00pm DIY Keepsake Boxes Private Location (sign in to display)
Wednesday, February 26
9:30am 11:00am Cohn Hall Café - starting at 9:30am! Private Location (sign in to display)
7:00pm 9:00pm Black History Month: Spider Man Into the Spider-Verse Private Location (sign in to display)
7:15pm 8:15pm Love for Our Elders Private Location (sign in to display)
Thursday, February 27
10:00am 1:00pm MidTerm Stress Relief Tabling Private Location (sign in to display)
5:00pm 7:00pm MESA X Sewing Club Cross Stitch Workshop Third Floor Student Center (CIE)
Friday, February 28
10:00am 12:00pm Sweet Treat Friday Private Location (sign in to display)
12:00pm 2:00pm Jummah (Friday) Prayers for Muslim Community Private Location (sign in to display)
3:00pm 4:00pm Hora De Café con Leche Private Location (sign in to display)
Saturday, March 1
12:00pm 2:00pm Men's Lacrosse vs. Colgate Ridley Athletic Complex
12:00pm 2:00pm Women's Basketball vs. Navy Reitz Arena
Monday, March 3
9:00am 12:00pm Restorative Justice & Practices: Level 1 Training Private Location (sign in to display)
Wednesday, March 5
4:00pm 6:00pm Women's Lacrosse vs. Georgetown Ridley Athletic Complex
7:00pm 9:00pm Women's Basketball vs. Lafayette Reitz Arena
Monday, March 10
5:00pm 7:30pm Movie Night: In the Mood for Love Private Location (sign in to display)
6:30pm 7:30pm Crochet For A Cause Weekly Meeting Private Location (sign in to display)
8:00pm 9:00pm Praise and Worship Eucharistic Adoration Private Location (sign in to display)
8:00pm 9:00pm SGA Community Outreach Committee Meeting Private Location (sign in to display)
LGBTQ+ Student Services

There are so many different ways to connect with us!

DEIJ Intersectional Events: Spring 2025 on Friday, 10 January 2025 At 1:00 AM. No image description provided

EVENT

DEIJ Intersectional Events: Spring 2025

clock Friday, January 10, 2025 at 1:00am
to Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:55am
Location pinPrivate Location (sign in to display)
CalendarAdd to Google Cal, Outlook, Yahoo, iCal

All semester long, DEIJ-centered events will invite folks to connect, learn, and celebrate the diverse, intersectional identities and lived experiences of our Loyola community. Join ALANA Services, Campus Ministry, Karson Institute for Race, Peace, and Social Justice, LGBTQ+ Student Services, Messina, Office of Equity & Inclusion, Sellinger School Graduate Business Office, Sellinger School of Business, and the Women's Center in this wide array of programming!
VIEW EVENT