Who are we?
Who are the facilitators?
What about confidentiality?
What are our Constitution and Bylaws?

Who are We?

Cornell University has a variety of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning (LGBTQ) oriented organizations. At the administrative hub is the LGBTRC (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center), an actual part of the University with two full-time professional staff, in addition to student employees. There is also an academic department within Cornell's College of Arts & Sciences devoted to LBG (Lesbian, Bisexual, & Gay) Studies. In addition, there is a wealth of student run organizations that tackle both political and social issues that affect the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning students and their allies.

Haven serves as an administrative umbrella for these student organizations involved in the support and outreach to LGBTQ students at Cornell. Haven provides a vehicle for these groups to secure funding and on-going training, and consultation with professional staff. The Haven advisor provides support to the program and also provides direct support and consultations for students who want to talk individually about issues of sexual or gender identity. Haven collaborates with other Cornell, Ithaca College, and local groups to address the social support needs of students.

Who are Haven Facilitators?

Haven facilitators are graduate or undergraduate students at Cornell who want to engage others in a safe exploration of ideas and feelings about being LGBTQ or allys here at Cornell. Anyone can be a facilitator but it requires being out about your own identity and a large time committment. Read about the Facilitator commitment here. Haven also sponsors social groups as long as they are theme related to our mission.

What about confidentiality?

Haven is committed to maintaining an environment conducive to feelings of personal "safety," and complete confidentiality. We want to provide potentially closeted LGBTQ persons with the sense of caring, and respect, that we all deserve, but especially so when one is dealing with issues of sexual identity.

So while people may not necessarily be entirely comfortable in the context of a Haven group, as it is natural to feel some initial discomfort while beginning the coming out process, we do promise to do everything in our power to create the safest environment possible. Things people say are always to remain inside the groups (although outside discussion of the ideas involved is welcome, and encouraged). In such an environment, people are more free to explore the issues important to them without fear of discrimination, rejection, or hate.

However, this is not to imply that Haven's sole purpose is to provide a place for people still in the closet to talk about issues pertinent to them. There are varying degrees of "outness" associated with the various groups. For instance, many men who are at least reasonably comfortable with their sexuality tend to find OUTreach to be an enjoyable group due to its more social atmosphere. Those who are just beginning to explore sexuality issues, however, are likely to find faQ a more comfortable environment.

Further, Haven has something to offer to those who are totally out and comfortable with themselves as well. Some of the groups often address various types of issues in an engaging, social, discussion-oriented environment, and many people sometimes go just to spend time with other LGBTQ individuals. Several groups periodically hold social events outside the normal group setting and have also in the past invited special guests to Cornell to discuss topics of sexuality and the real world. Visit the events page to read more on past and upcoming events sponsored by Haven.

There are many faces to Haven, for many different people, in many different situations. And we hope to address those different situations as well as possible, in an atomosphere acceptable to everyone in all stages of their sexual identity discovery.