Orlando Tragedy and Resources

11 Small Ways to Feel Less Helpless This Week, from a Trained Therapist

A message from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI):

The Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) is devastated by the events in Orlando this past weekend during a month where we celebrate LGBTQIA Pride. We want to join the voices from the UMD campus including the LGBT Equity Center, the Memorial Chapel, the Counseling Center, and others in naming how important it is to have community and connection at this time. Below we offer some of the resources available this week and into the future.

Anti-LGBTQIA violence is too common in our world and disproportionately targets LGBTQIA people of color, like it did this weekend, as many Latinx people were gathered together. During this holy month of Ramadan, we also want to join in the calls (such as this one from the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity http://www.muslimalliance.org) to not resort to hatred when hatred is the cause of devastating violence like this.

We have five initial resources we want to make sure students, faculty, and staff are aware of: 

COUNSELING: The Counseling Center offering walk-in support for students requesting assistance related to the Orlando tragedy (no appointments are necessary).


PERSONAL REFLECTION: The Garden Chapel will be available throughout the week between 9am-5pm for personal reflection and prayer and Chaplains are available for support by appointment.

INFORMAL COMMUNITY GATHERINGS: ODI and MICA are also offering informal gatherings of support for staff, faculty, and students who want to connect during this time. For the times during lunch, we welcome those who will be eating as well as those who are fasting this month:

3-5pm (MICA 1120 Stamp Student Union)

Tues, 6/14, 12-2pm (ODI, 2411 Marie Mount Hall)

Wed, 6/15, 3-5pm (MICA 1120 Stamp Student Union)

Thurs, 6/16, 12-2pm (ODI, 2411 Marie Mount Hall)

WALK-INS: In LGBT Equity (2218 Marie Mount Hall) this week, staff from the Counseling Center will be available for student, faculty, and staff walk-ins during the following days/times:

Mon, 6/13, 2-3pm (LGBT Equity, 2218 Marie Mount Hall)

Tues, 6/14, 1-2pm (LGBT Equity, 2218 Marie Mount Hall)

Wed, 6/15, 3-4pm (LGBT Equity, 2218 Marie Mount Hall)

Thurs, 6/16, 2-3pm (LGBT Equity, 2218 Marie Mount Hall)

Fri, 6/17, 3-4pm (LGBT Equity, 2218 Marie Mount Hall)

VIGIL: Tuesday, 6/14/16, in addition to many area vigils, a campus-wide vigil (https://www.facebook.com/events/671504739674939/) has been planned entitled, “United in Compassion and Hope: Gathering in Response to the Orlando Tragedy at 4:30pm in the Garden Chapel of Memorial Chapel (Hosted by United Campus Ministry). Acknowledging our interfaith, spiritual, and secular diversity, we will gather for a time of reflection and prayer. At 5pm, we will walk to the fountain on McKeldin Mall for the Vigil for Orlando at UMD with UMD student groups. To the vigil, bring poems, songs, thoughts, and flowers.”

If you have questions or concerns about resources on campus during this difficult time, please do not hesitate to contact ODI at 301-405-6810 and we will do our best to find you the resources you need. Finally, we hope that you will find time this week to connect with your colleagues across campus, check in with them, build community, and offer each other support in the shadow of this tragedy.