Lounge in Lavendar

Written by Kwana Adams Options spoke to Danii De La Rosa, Interim Director of the Unity Center, and Eilish Wilder, Lavender Lounge graduate assistant to get the scoop on the new Lavender Lounge at Rhode Island College!

Over several years, the Rhode Island College’s Unity Center has been receiving suggestions from students about an LGBTQ+ lounge being useful. RIC finally answered that call with the ‘Lavender Lounge.’ Many factors contributed to the opening of this lounge, in fact. The need for diversity and open spaces for all students was the largest one. Aside from the student body, “many community members were also enthusiastic about the opening including openly LGBTQ+ Senator Tiara Mack, David Cicilline, RIC President Jack Warner, and Providence City Council Chief of Staff June Rose,” Interim Director De La Rosa said. No pushback has been received so far.

Students studying inside the Lavendar Lounge at Rhode Island College

“The lounge functions as the central space for the Unity Center’s newly formed LGBTQ+ office, a branch of the Unity Center specifically devoted to LGBTQ+ issues and events on the campus,” Eilish explained. Lavender Lounge is a safe space for students involved to coexist and create programs for the community. Some programs have included a queer book club, a monthly discussion group (The Lavender Table), a voguing class, a drag show, and even a field trip to Binch Press. It also includes a closet for students to try on clothing in a safe and supportive environment.

"The future is in the hands of the students! Their ideas, hard work, and creativity have been the backbone of the LGBTQ+ Office and Lavender Lounge this year and undoubtedly will continue to be." - Eilish

Students are also welcome to come to the space to relax, study, and just be. Spaces like this are essential, especially in the current climate. Many colleges have designated LGBTQ centers and Gender Studies departments. However, the Lavender Lounge is separate, new, and different. As the Lavender Lounge grows and expands, Options is eager to see how much more they offer to the community and what they have planned for the future.

"This space also hosts services for LGBTQ+ students, including a gender-affirming closet so any student can try on clothing in a safe and supportive space and a library of community resources and books related to gender and sexuality.” Danii

Danii De La Rosa, Interim Director of the Unity Center (she/her) Eilish Wilder, Lavender Lounge Graduate Assistant (they/he)

Unity Center Services also includes LGBTQ Student Services, International, Immigrant, Undocumented, DACAmented & Refugee Student Services, JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Student Leader Workshops, Multicultural and Identity-Based Student Organization Support, Interfaith Services, and more. All of this information can be found here:

https://our.ric.edu/department-directory/unity-center/unity-center-services.