Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality

About CWGS

Originally founded in 1970 as the Women’s Referral Center, the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality (CWGS) is the second oldest collegiate Women’s Center in the country. With strong activist roots, the women who created the Women’s Referral Center began contraceptive and abortion rights advocacy and education before the 1973 decision of Roe vs. Wade. Over the past four decades the Women’s Referral Center has evolved first into the Women’s Center, then in 1996, it became the Women’s Resource Center, and in 2011, the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality, each time expanding its mission and services to provide progressive inclusive services and resources to students.

The CWGS amplifies and advocates for all genders and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer community.

CWGS is located in the McLean Campus Center in Suite 207.

Powder Puff Football sponsored by the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality

Our Goals

Create community for students, faculty, and staff by providing the campus with a safe and brave space to voice opinions and concerns on current social justice issues impacting women and the LGBTQIA+ community
Provide resources & referrals on women’s and LGBTQIA+ health
Educate students and UMass Dartmouth community on women’s and LGBTQIA+ history as well as current issues
Advocate for survivors of sexual violence; implement active bystander intervention education and programs strategies
Provide intersectional programing to educate the UMass Dartmouth community about issues of structural inequity and marginalization

Student organizations

The Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality supports two student organizations, including Pride Alliance and Sapphic Society. To learn more about student organizations log onto MyOrgs!

LGBTQIA+ Support & Services

Juli Parker cutting the ribbon at the Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality: Grand Opening

LGBTQIA+ Resources

Whether you are out, coming out, in-between, questioning, or exploring your gender identity, we have professional staff able to help you.

Trans Inclusivity

We strive to support students, faculty, and staff by creating a more welcoming classroom for UMass Dartmouth’s trans and gender diverse students.

Changing your Name

The difference between a Primary Name and Chosen Name and how to change your Primary Name here at UMass Dartmouth.

Young woman getting her temperature taken with an infrared thermometer by a doctor during an outbreak

Health & Wellness

A variety of options of resources for take care of your mind and body.

Illustration of a female reproductive system

Reproductive Health & Wellness

In light of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, CWGS remains dedicated to referring women and pregnant people to safe abortion providers and educating students on their birth control options.

Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality: Grand Opening

LGBTQIA+ Staff & Faculty Directory

We want our students, staff and faculty to know they are supported and are not alone.

The Female Orgasm sponsored by the Women's Resource Center (WRC), LiveWell & Student Affairs

Programs

The CWGS offers programs and workshops to students, staff and faculty that address issues of sexual violence prevention, LGBTQIA+ support and resources and gender inclusivity with an intersectional social justice approach.

Our education and training topics include LGBTQIA+ capacity building trainings, sexual violence and survivor support training, salary negotiation workshops, and more.

Events

Sep

6:00PM

Drag Show Auditions

Drag Queens and Kings are welcome. Bring a prepared performance, song of your choice, description/photo of your costume, and your drag name. Winners will perform at the 12th Annual Drag Show Intermission on October 17, 2024!

Sep

7:00PM

Toxic Love: How to Spot Control & Abuse in Relationships

As a college student, Ashley faced devastating harm - domestic violence and sexual assault. But perhaps the most devastating harm was growing detached from herself in the process. This is something that students on every college campus experience or witness in some form. Whether in one's own relationships or among friends, toxic and harmful behaviors exist. They can also quickly derail a person's self-esteem, focus, and goals. This engaging and relatable conversation will educate students on red flags, emphasize green flags, and empower students to be strong self-advocates in relationships as well as advocates for others. They will also gain insights from Ashley's healing journey, finding encouragement to seek support or inspiration to take action.

Oct

12:00PM

Countdown to the Election Lunch & Learn: Becoming an Informed Voter

Join us to learn how to become an informed voter! Lunch provided.

Oct

12:00PM

Countdown to the Election Lunch & Learn: Reproductive Justice

Join us to learn more about reproductive justice issues and the upcoming election! Lunch provided.