How can I start a LGBT Group?
1. Determine if your college is public, private, or religiously affiliated. Most college campuses will support a college LGBT group; however a religiously affiliated college or university opposed to homosexuality can probably deny formation of a group, because they are a private organization. For those colleges, you can only try to change the prevailing culture by educating the leaders on LGBT issues. Contact the Iowa Pride Network office (515-243-1110) or the Iowa College GSAs page to determine if there is a group in your area that you can meet with for support.

2. Follow Guidelines. Establish a LGBT organization the same way you would establish any other student group or club on your campus. Visit your college campuses student life offices or website. Steps may include recruitment of a minimum number of students, a faculty advisor, signing a student organization recognition form, or having the student government review your application.

3. Document the steps you are taking to create a group. Follow the guidelines and write down dates, times, and names of administrators, professors and students who you had met with and what was discussed. We highly encourage all students to work cooperatively with their college in forming a group. However, if you feel they are resisting or are making you jump through extra hoops that other student groups don’t have to go through—contact the Iowa Pride Network office: 515-243-1110.

4. Find a Faculty Advisor. Find a teacher or staff member whom you think would be supportive or who has already shown themselves to be an ally around sexual orientation issues. It could be an administrator, faculty or staff.

5. Inform the College Counseling Center, Various college departments (Sociology, Sexuality Studies, etc.) and Progressive student organizations about the group. These individuals may know students who would be interested in attending the group.

6. Pick a consistent Meeting Place and Time. You may want to hold your first meeting and then decide on a time after everyone looks at their school schedules.

7. Advertise. Figure out the best way to advertise at your college. It may be a combination of myspace and facebook announcements, flyers, and word-of-mouth. If your flyers are defaced or torn down, do not be discouraged. Keep putting them back up. Eventually, whoever is tearing them down will give up. Besides, advertising for your group and having words up such as "gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or questioning" or "end homophobia" or "discuss sexual orientation" can be part of educating the college and can actually make other students feel safer -- even if they never attend a single meeting.

8 . Get Food. This one is kind of obvious. People always come to meetings when you provide food!

9 . Hold Your Meeting! You may want to start out with a discussion about why people feel having this group is important. You can also brainstorm things your club would like to do this year. Make sure to register your newly formed group with the Iowa Pride Network!

10. Establish Ground Rules. Many groups have ground rules in order to insure that group discussions are safe, confidential, and respectful. Many groups have a ground rule that no assumptions or labels are used about a group member's sexual orientation. This can help make straight allies feel comfortable about attending the club.

11. Plan for the Future. Develop an action plan, by-laws, committees, or just brainstorm activities. Set goals for what you want to work towards. Contact the Iowa Pride Network for an on-site college visit to help you plan for the future and get connected to all of the other college LGBT groups and learn about what else is going on in the community.