The Kent State LGBTQ+ Center supports an inclusive environment on all KSU campuses, advocates for all individuals and community groups based on sexual and gender identity, and promotes physical, mental and academic wellness.
The center is a welcoming environment to LGBTQ students and their allies. The informed staff strives to educate the campus community about sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure Kent State University remains a safe space for all students.
2022 Gratitude Tree
Every holiday season, the LGBTQ+ Center puts up our Gratitude Tree for guests to write down and hang up what they are grateful for. The following are messages guests hung up this year.
- Streaming services; also, my dog.
- My lovely wonderful partner, My hilarious roomies, & everyone in my support system who has believed in me.
- My family who has supported me every step of the way.
- Having a wonderful support system here at Kent
- I’m grateful for the open minded and accepting individuals on Kent’s campus.
- My friends and family at Kent State!
- All the awesome people here making me feel welcome.
- My amazing intern team here at the LGBTQ+ Center!
- My girlfriend, my friends, and that my classes are going well.
- My partner, my new friends that I met this semester, the LGBTQ+ Center, My cats.
- My cats.
- Being trans.
- Being transmasc and having a partner that understands.
- My amazing trans partner, who doesn’t’ always realize his awesomeness.
- The opportunities that I have that others might not be able to access.
- Community at Kent State and my family here. They give me support if they know it or not.
- Being comfortable with how I present myself and my significant other.
- My partner.
- My friends, family, jobs, pets, college, home, and myself!
- This space and community!
- My queer family and my partner.
- All my LGBTQIA+ friends; they’re so awesome and loving.
- My father, my stepmother, my siblings, the queer community at Kent State, and the love and acceptance of my friends.
- Moving.
- My friends at the LGBTQ+ Center.
- Professor Kramer who has been a huge help to me this semester with even other classes outside of his.
- My best friends, School, my siblings and all the sisters of Tri Sigma.
- The amazing students who visit the LGBTQ+ Center.
- My husband, job, friends, supportive family members, and my dogs.
- The progress in reaching LGBTQ+ equality.
- The LGBTQ+ pioneers who make it easier for me today
Benefits of Expressing Gratitude
Gratitude is "a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible." Essentially, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives, recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside of themselves, and connect to something larger than themselves as individuals.
Published studies support an association between gratitude and an individual's well-being:
- Strengthen relationships - more comfortable expressing concerns
- Creates positive and more optimistic feelings
- Brings peace of mind
- Exercise more and fewer physician visits
You can cultivate gratitude in a number of ways:
- Write a thank-you note
- Thank someone mentally
- Keep a gratitude journal
- Meditate
- Count your blessings
- Pray (for those who who practice)
- Be an example for others
- Sources and Further Reading
Sources and Further Reading: Harvard Health Publishing and Brigham Young University
Save these dates!
Check back at the beginning of the Spring 2023 semester for event updates!
Support Students in Need
The LGBTQ+ Center's emergency fund is available for students in need of additional funding for books, academic supplies, household items, housing, or food.
Contribute to the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund