Gay, lesbian and bisexual students have BGALA to turn to for support. And now a new group will bring together administrators, faculty, staff and students for the same purpose.

BGALA leaders Matthew Barbour and Jonathan Lewis spent the summer researching different gay and lesbian support networks at 12 universities. They then created the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Support Network at NU with the help of Foster-Walker Complex area coordinator Kiersten Elliott and Norris University Center Events Production Manager Leslie DeMonte.

“I wanted to be a part of a program like this both personally and professionally since I started at NU four years ago,” said LGBT Support Network co-chairwoman DeMonte.

About 20 people already have signed up to be part of the group.

With the goal of offering more educational and outreach programs, the LGBT Support Network will differ from its partner BGALA.

“BGALA is a student group,” said Barbour, a Weinberg sophomore. “LGBT is for everyone including administrators, faculty and staff.”

“Students will have a network of people on campus to talk to who are non-judgmental,” said Wendy Cutler, a psychologist with NU’s Counseling and Psychological Services and a member of the Safe Space committee. “This support group helps create an environment on campus that can allow gay and lesbian students to feel good about themselves.”

DeMonte said the Safe Space committee hopes to start the training program Winter Quarter.

After going through the training session, participants will place Safe Space stickers on their doors to show they are a resource for gay and lesbian students.

“I hope the ally training program can really bring everyone together,” said Lewis, a Speech junior. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the campus to show support.”

In addition to ally training, the support network also is planning diverse programs for the rest of the year.

Lewis said the group plans to put together an informal lecture series on gender and sexuality. Seven professors already have expressed interest in speaking.

Also, the group said a long-term goal is to bring free HIV testing back to campus.

For now, however, LGBT members are happy finally to be sponsored by the university.

“This is a true commitment from the university to gay and lesbian student life and I’m very impressed with their effort,” Barbour said. “This is the first real acknowledgement of the gay and lesbian movement on campus that they have made.”