West Virginia University, LGBTQ+ Center, Records
Collection
Collection Number: A&M 4734
Records of the West Virginia University LGBTQ+ Center, including event flyers, meeting minutes and other records of various student organizations, newspaper clippings, event organization documents, and other material.
This collection contains documents, newspaper articles, newsletters, flyers, and personal testaments that reflect the LGBTQ+ Center’s missions, values, and goals. Documenting history from the 1980s to the present, this collection documents the challenges and victories of the LGBTQ+ advocates at WVU. Information pertaining to Womynkind, the Artemis Sisters, Lesbian Avengers, and Womyn 4 Womyn are included, as supportive materials for the operation and maintenance of the Center. Correspondence and meeting minutes are included about the Gay and Lesbian Alliance that formed in 1985. Meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and journal articles include information about the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Mountaineers. Event flyers, meeting minutes, photographs, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia feature the creation of the LGBTQ+ Center from past organizations.
Researchers may access digitized materials by visiting the link attached to this record or by requesting to view the materials in person by appointment or remotely by contacting the West Virginia & Regional History Center reference department.
Content Warning for Potentially Harmful Language: This collection includes hate mail, which may include some content containing outdated, biased, and offensive opinions that may be harmful or difficult to view.
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
The West Virginia University LGBTQ+ Center was formed in 1985 by the former director, Janice Mann. The Center, originally named the Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GALA) of West Virginia University, sought to support and educate the gay and lesbian community in Morgantown. They provided workshops, seminars, and meetings for members of the LGBTQ+ community to discuss topics such as relationships, feminism, Gay American history, women's culture, and sexuality. After controversy in 1986, GALA underwent a restructuring project, becoming the Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Mountaineers (BiGLM).
BiGLM, circa 1990, attempted a more inclusive narrative. They extended their support to include bisexual and transgender-identifying students and community members, providing support and services, education to the campus and community, a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to exist in, and promotion of social justice as a non-profit social advocacy organization at WVU. During their operation, the BiGLM faced backlash from the community and lawmakers, but were still able to strengthen connections with the student body, faculty, and local community members and businesses. The BiGLM then restructured to include more Queer identities at WVU, rebranding as the LGBTQ+ Center.
The LGBTQ+ Center was founded between 2015 and 2016 by interim director Dr. T. Anne Hawkins. With help from the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, Hawkins helped create the LGBTQ Studies Minor in 2015. These courses were officially added to the Academic Catalog in 2015. Shortly after, Dr. Cris Mayo took control in 2016. Under Mayo, the Center focused on outreach and community involvement, organizing Days of Silence, Lavender Graduations, meetings, and Pride Celebrations. Ellen Rodrigues, the former assistant director to Mayo, took leadership in 2020 and serves as the director as of 2026. Rodrigues operates the Center through their mission statement, “The LGBTQ+ Center is committed to creating a culture that advances education, healthcare, and prosperity for all. We are committed to providing access and opportunity, advance high-impact research, and lead transformation in West Virginia and the world through local, state and global engagement,” while continuing traditions and commitments to community inclusion.
1.33 Linear Feet (1 hanging folder record carton, 16 in.; 1 document case, 5 in.; 1 flat storage box, 3 in.)
10.4 Gigabytes (1,252 Files including PDFs, JPGs, TIFFs, WAV)
English
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: West Virginia & Regional History Center
Transfers from West Virginia University, LGBTQ+ Center, via Rodrigues, Ellen, 2026 February 16 and 2026 June 24.
Part of the West Virginia and Regional History Center Repository