Queer Advisory Council

The Queer Advisory Council is a collaborative board of student leaders from BGLTQ-focused student organizations throughout Harvard College and at-large student members with a demonstrated interest in supporting queer issues.
 
 
Apply
Applications are now closed.
 

Mission
The Queer Advisory Council strengthens and amplifies the voices of bisexual, gay, lesbian, trans, queer, and questioning students on campus. The Council works towards this goal by advising the Office of BGLTQ Student Life (and through it, Harvard College) on BGLTQ issues, by awarding grants to support the planning and implementation of BGLTQ-focused programming, and by increasing dialogue amongst BGLTQ students.

Values
Programming and initiatives sponsored by the Queer Advisory Council will have the following core values:

  • BGLTQ-Focused: The Queer Advisory Council respects and appreciates contributions from all members of the Harvard community; however the primary focus of the Queer Advisory Council is supporting BGLTQ students by addressing queer issues and creating opportunities for fellowship, education, and thoughtful dialogue around sexual and gender identity.
  • Intersectional: As representatives of a wide range of identities, orientations, cultures, and beliefs, the Queer Advisory Council values the diversity of perspectives that members bring with them as fundamental to achieving our goals. Likewise, the grants awarded by the Council prioritize programming and initiatives that display an interest in intersectionality and collaboration.
     

Membership
All BGLTQ-focused, recognized Harvard College student organizations in good standing with the Dean of Students Office are invited to be represented on the Queer Advisory Council. Applications are now closed.
 

Benefits

  • A forum for sharing best practices for organizational longevity with fellow Council members
  • Publicity of your organization's events through the BGLTQ Office newsletter, “QuWeekly”
  • Combining the voice of your student group with those of other BGLTQ organizations to mobilize around issues that impact BGLTQ-identifying people on campus (for example, see this 2013 Crimson editorial drafted by members of the Council in support of gender-neutral housing)
  • Professional development through gaining experience in a grant review process that awards up to $5,000 each year
  • Opportunity to hear from political advocates, social activists, and other leaders who are pushing for queer and trans rights at the local and national level
  • Support from the Office of BGLTQ Student Life for projects and initiatives

Responsibilities

  • Attend monthly meetings
  • Review all grant applications
  • Contribute to meetings through discussion and content-generation
  • Follow through with action-oriented commitments made during meetings
  • Serve as a focus group for offices and administrators across campus who are looking for feedback/advice from BGLTQ students

Accessibility

Everyone is welcome in our office space! We are located in the Lower Level of Thayer Hall. Elevators can be accessed in the entrance next to Memorial Church. If you have any concerns about accessibility, please reach out to us at BGLTQ@fas.harvard.edu.