International LGBTQ+ Students

The Steven J. Schochet Endowment provides funding to support academic initiatives in LGBTQIA Studies at the University of Minnesota. Named for U of M alumnus Steven J. Schochet, the Endowment hosts lectures and symposia, highlighting important work being done in LGBTQIA Studies at the University of Minnesota and beyond. The endowment also directly supports research by offering a full-year Interdisciplinary Fellowship in Queer, Trans and Sexuality Studies, for PhD candidates at the University of Minnesota. This is open to international students as well.

As the upper Midwest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex regional community foundation, PFund Foundation recognizes that dedicated, connected and supported generations of LGBTQIA leaders are central to the resilience and health of our communities. Our grant recipients embody courage, resilience and commitment to catalyzing and building communities where LGBTQIA people are celebrated and live free from discrimination, violence, invisibility and isolation. International students are welcomed to apply.

Graduate Assistantships, Research Assistantships and Teaching Assistanships can help you fund your Graduate degree by covering partial or full tuition, on top of benefits and additional hourly rates. There are graduate assistantship listings here and information about them. As international students, you are only allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours a week. Please keep that in mind and contact ISSS at [email protected] or 612-626-7100 for more information or clarification about work status.

We would urge you to ask your department or college administrators for any scholarships and awards that you can apply for in your departments. Be sure to note whether or not the scholarships are open to citizens only or open to all students.

The Queer Student Cultural Center (QSCC) is a social space and resource that aims to promote awareness for queer issues on campus as well as provide aid to students who need it. The QSCC offers:

 

• A safe space that gives everyone the opportunity to be open about their sexuality and/or gender identity without fear of judgement or being outed.
• Information about community events and opportunities, safer-sex (including supplies), job and internship opportunities, UMN's GLBT minor, and mental health resources.
• Free internet and printing, as well as an expansive library of books, magazines, and movies. Students can read in the space or rent out items!
• Weekly LGBTQIA+ student groups. To see a full list of groups as well as the current semester schedule, visit QSCC Groups page!

The International LGBTQ+ Student resource page by ISSS (International Student and Scholar Services) is a website dedicated to resources specific to international LGBTQ+ students. 

Student Counseling Services (SCS) offers a range of online educational workshops, affinity groups to connect and create community, and therapy groups for increased support and moving toward healing or change around specific challenges. Students are able to learn new skills and strategies, connect with one another, and share difficulties and experiences in a safe, supportive online environment. Some workshops meet for the entire semester, and others for 3 or 6 weeks. Groups and workshops are open to all UMN students who are enrolled.

Go to their website for more details and email them at [email protected] for more information.

Reclaiming Our Stories is a space at Boynton Health Service for people of color who also identify within the LGBTQIA+ community to come together with one another and share our experiences. Mixed race, multi cultural, international students and adopted folks we see you. In this space we can work to share our stories, as well as have our stories held by our community. We will work to build safety and trust in order for us to be able to come forward as our authentic selves, without feeling the need to sacrifice parts of who we are. In this space we can work together to affirm one another, better understand ourselves and our community, explore our identities, and the systems that impact us such as homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, weightism, fatphobia, as well as many other systems that impact our existence in the world. The group will be facilitated by a provider who identifies as a queer person of color.

Other Group Therapy programs at Boynton Mental Health may include:
 

• Trans on My Timeline
• My Gender, My Way 
• LGBTQIA + Connections

Call Boynton Mental Health at 612-624-1444 for more information.

The International LGBTQ Discussion Group is led by the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life. It is a space for international LGBTQIA students to share and discuss their cross-cultural experiences and personal thoughts about sexuality and gender. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

International Student Support Services has created this brochure including information and resources for international LGBTQ+ students. Click here to view the brochure.

The LGBTQIA Leadership Retreat Program facilitated by the Gender & Sexuality Center focuses on defining and applying leadership with a social justice lens. Over the course of 2 days, University of Minnesota undergraduate students will have to opportunity to build community while exploring intersecting identities and oppressions.

Tongues Untied is a space by and for People of Color who identify as LGBTQIA and/or Same-Gender-Loving. Named after the famous documentary "Tongues Untied" by Marlon Riggs & Essex Hemphill, the group serves to connect students, staff, faculty and the Twin Cities community by holding discussion groups that focus on how race, sexuality and gender impact our lived experiences. This program is designed to enhance and center the experiences of queer indigenous people and people of color.

Tongues Untied serves the needs of our growing community by:
 

• Providing social and educational gatherings for U of M students
• Hosting discussions and panels for local public school Gay-Straight Alliances upon request
• Connecting with local community organizations or color such as The Exchange, Twin Cities Black Pride, and the MiniBall Scene

Lavender House is open to any students who identify with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual community. Students in this Living Learning Community are able to explore and express their whole selves, including their gender identities and sexuality in a safe and affirming environment. There are two communities: a first year and second year community!

The name of our organization, oSTEM, stands for out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. oSTEM is a national, non-profit society dedicated to serving LGBTQIA+ identified college students who are pursuing their studies in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. oSTEM @ Minnesota works to foster community and visibility for LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty as well as provide support in professional and personal development. We are a group of highly motivated students who feel strongly about the importance of creating spaces that are welcoming and safe for people of marginalized identities.

OutLaw is the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) student association at the University of Minnesota Law School. Founded in 1984 and originally named Lambda, Outlaw acts as a support system and social organization for LGBT students, faculty and staff, as well as those concerned with the legal issues affecting the LGBT community.

Undergraduate Compass is a student organization at the Carlson School of Management that focuses on building community and opportunity for LGBTQ+ students across campus. Anyone can join Compass, including allies and students from other colleges. This group is also for allies looking to enhance their understanding of diversity & inclusion and participate in networking opportunities.

Their mission is to:
 

• Provide a community and support network for queer graduate and professional students;
• Educate the U of M community on issues pertinent to the lives of queer graduate and professional students;
• Facilitate discussion amongst the queer community and professional organizations within the greater Twin Cities queer community;
• Foster social activities for queer graduate and professional students; and
• Assure the representation and empowerment of queer graduate and professional students at the University of Minnesota
• Students and non-students are welcome at all events!

Contact them at [email protected] and go to their website.

• How to be a successful Graduate/ Professional Degree International Student Using University of Minnesota Resources
• How to be a successful Undergraduate/ Non- Degree International Student Using University of Minnesota Resources
• ISSS has additional recordings and resources for incoming international students

• Map of Sexual Orientation Laws in Different Languages:  A useful tool for LGBTQ+ human rights defenders, these images expose the arbitrariness of persecutory laws, and starkly indicate the absence of positive law in most parts of the world.
• Map of gender-diverse cultures around the world by PBS. Worldwide, the sheer variety of gender expression is almost limitless. Take a tour and learn how other cultures see gender diversity.