ECU opens largest LGBTQ center in the UNC System

East Carolina University opened the new Main Campus Student Center this week. This 220,000-square-foot facility will be the living room for students and will be a central hub for ECU’s nearly 500 student organizations, clubs and groups.

ECU will officially open the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. on the second floor of the new student center. The Peel LGBTQ Center will be the largest center of its kind in the UNC System.

Peel, a native of Everetts, shares ECU’s vision of a safe and welcoming environment that promotes understanding, acceptance and visibility of the LGBTQ community. The center features expanded study and lounge areas, staff offices, a conference room and a lending library of more than 500 titles.

ECU first founded the LGBT Resource Office in 2011, and in the last seven years the office has grown to serve more than 7,000 student visits during the academic year. Its educational programming includes a speaker series, the Queer Film Series and annual events such as National Coming Out Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance and World AIDS Day.

On Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m., the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center will host a grand opening celebration. Tickets for this event are available at the central ticket office or by calling 252-328-4788.