About Us

Mission:  Promote, educate, and celebrate equity* for all within the LGBTQ+ & Ally community supporting individuals, organizations, and communities.

*Equity is when we can all see over the fence to watch the softball game.

Vision:  Our vision is to support a positive presence where LGBTQ+ people are welcomed and celebrated; where intolerance is challenged and defeated; where voices are heard, included, and affirmed; and where the civil rights of all people are valued and respected.

History:  

• 1969- "Gay Bust!" article is published by the underground paper called The Catalyst, Vol.1 No.1, University Archives of Texas Tech University.
• 1975 - The Lubbock Gay Awareness Association was formed in Lubbock.
• From 1985 – 1992, dedicated community members managed the Community Outreach Center here in Lubbock.  The center was a welcoming environment for all and hosted various events throughout the year. 
• From 1989 - 2001, the South Plains AIDS Resource Center was a central resource for 
• From 1993 - the present day
  • Several Lubbock and South Plains organizations such as PFLAG Lubbock (founded 1993), Project CHAMPS (founded 2008), Lubbock PRIDE (founded 2012), and student groups at Texas Tech University and South Plains Community College have actively organized various events throughout the year.
  • Student advocacy and activism has taken many forms during this time.  From the "Doorways" youth group at the Metropolitan Community Church (2001-2011), Lubbock High School GSA (see Lambda Legal lawsuit 2003), to both Texas Tech University and South Plains College student organizations, students have been active in promoting inclusion and equity within the Lubbock community. 
  • In 1985 under the name "Student Services for Lesbians, Gays and Friends", Texas Tech University students organized and supported members on campus. In 1992 they changed their name to "The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Association," which subsequently changed to a more radical name: "Queers and Allies". In 1995, the organization changed its name to the Texas Tech University Gay-Straight Alliance.  Today the group is known as the "TTU Gender and Sexuality Association". For the past twenty-five years, the organization has served the students of Texas Tech University by creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for queer students and their allies and by advocating for equality on campus.
  • In 2008, faculty, staff, and students formed a support group for LGBTQ+ students at South Plains College hosting meetings and other outreach events.  The group is known today as SPeCtra (LGBTQIA+ and Ally group at South Plains College).
  • In 2017, Texas Tech University created the Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement (2017-2023), housed under both the Office of the Dean of Students and the Division of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. The office was established to serve the Texas Tech community through the facilitation and leadership of programming and advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) community. Allyship programs provided educational sessions to share the lived experiences of LGBTQIA people while establishing a network of allies who support students, faculty, and staff on campus. The office was instrumental in bringing together other Big 12 University partners to host the In the spring, our office will host the Big XII “LGBTQIA & Allies Summit,” hosting educational programming and networking opportunities focused on LGBTQIA justice and advocacy efforts.  This was also a time when "Affinity Spaces" were established by volunteers to support students as they identified with first-year queer/trans space, queer reads, queer/trans students of color, and sweet tea-ology interfaith groups.
  • In 2018, the Texas Tech Alumni Association welcomed PRIDE Network as a member of their networking groups.
  • As of 2023, with the closing of the Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement office due to the Texas Legislature passing SB17, a second student organization was formed called Rainbow Leaders Association.

Source sited: Texas Tech University, TechAnnounce System Online Archives
http://techannounce.ttu.edu/Client/default.aspx