Members of the LGBTQA+ community and their allies can learn more about the Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity and EIU Pride at a “Lunch Date in the GSD Center” on Monday at 11:30 a.m. in the Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity.

Siobhan Doherty, a sophomore sociology major and president of EIU Pride, said while there is no official end time, the lunch will most likely continue until 2 p.m.

“You can bring your lunch, socialize with people there and talk about what the Center does,” Doherty said.

While the lunch is hosted in the GSD center, students who are not a part of the LGBTQA+ community are welcome to attend.

“Anyone that wants to learn about the Center, or about Pride, and what it’s all about is welcome to come,” Doherty said.

Amanda Mead, intern for the GSD center and a graduate student studying counseling and student development, said they want students to have the opportunity to see the new center and everything they do there.

“The other interns and I have been working on a list of events for LGBTQA History Month, and we thought this would be a good way to promote the new location,” Mead said.

The Center for Gender and Sexual Diversity aims to make Eastern a more inclusive and accepting campus by educating everybody about issues surrounding the LGBTQA+ community.

Additionally, the Center offers a place for students, faculty, and staff to go when they experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, or if they have any questions concerning any aspect of sexual orientations or gender identities.

“The lunch provides another time and place for members of the community and their allies to socialize outside of Pride and to get the word out about the new location of the center,” Doherty said.

Mead said she is hoping for a big turnout for the lunch.

“I hope students are able to come check us out and give us some more foot traffic through the new center,” Mead said.

Doherty said many of the members of EIU Pride are planning to attend, but it is always exciting to get new people in the center.

“I think it’s going to be a really fun time,” Doherty said. “I’m excited to see how it turns out.”

The new location for the GSD center is in the basement of Stevenson Hall.

Travis Moody can be reached at 581-2812 or at tlmoody@eiu.edu.