“Each year, thousands of students arrive in Eugene—many of them LGBTQ+, many away from home for the first time, and many still figuring out who they are and where they belong. For some, college is the first place where living openly feels possible. For others, it’s a time marked by isolation, stress, or uncertainty about where to ask for help.

Students don’t live their lives solely on campus. They work in town, seek healthcare locally, build relationships here, and often decide whether Eugene is a place they want to stay after graduation. A permanent LGBTQ+ center sends a clear message to students: your well-being matters beyond your student ID. Your safety, health, and dignity don’t expire at the end of the term.”