Our Mission
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center’s mission is to enrich the experiences, foster success, celebrate victories, and affirm the existence of Penn’s LGBTQ+ undergraduates, professional and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alum using the lenses of social justice and intersectionality. Through education, support, and advocacy, the Center cultivates a campus climate where all students, regardless of their gender or sexual identity, can live authentically.
Penn LGBT Center
3907 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
LGBT Center Hours – Fall 2024
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 9pm
Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Our Team
Eric Anglero (they/them) previously held the role as the Associate Director for Princeton’s Gender + Sexuality Resource Center. In this role, Eric provided trainings across campus to various community partners, supervised center staff, and helped oversee the direction and mission of the GSRC. Currently they serve on the executive board at COLAGE, an organization for people with one or more queer parents and/or caregivers. They are also an alumni board member at Stockton University.
Eric received their Master’s degree (M.A.) in American Studies and their Bachelor’s of Arts in History (B.A.) from Stockton University. After they completed their degree, Eric worked as an adjunct professor at Rowan College teaching African American History. They then accepted a position at a non-profit (CANDLE) in New York to coordinate LGBTQ youth services for Rockland County, New York. During this time period, they were the coordinator of the New York State LGBT Network’s Youth Services committee and handled trainings for state employees and local organizations on LGBTQ cultural competency. Eric has been a consultant for Howie the Harp in Harlem, NY, CANDLE’s youth services programs, and for Putney’s Student travel programs. They also volunteer at a summer program, the Harold M. Marsh Connections Institute, for high school students with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
Eric enjoys listening to records, watching Steven Universe, and time at home with their new kitten named Ghost!
Wesley Alvers is honored to support, celebrate, and advocate for Penn’s queer and trans community members as an Associate Director at the LGBT Center. Wes holds a Master of Social Work degree from Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice, with a specialization in macro practice on behalf of LGBTQ+ people and populations. Prior to their time at Penn, Wes spent the majority of their career as a counselor at an Oregon-based abortion clinic where they developed a deep interest in health equity and reproductive justice. Wes brings this framework to the LGBT Center, where they are committed to advocating for affirming practice, fostering networks of community support, and expanding pathways to individual and collective joy. If you want to talk with someone about gender, fashion, life, love, and/or the pursuit of the greatest snack foods, Wes is here.
Kristal Castro (she/her/ella) is thrilled to join the LGBT Center’s team and to bring her passion for advocacy and education to this vibrant community. Kristal is particularly excited about supporting queer students and creating a welcoming space where all identities can flourish.
Kristal earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications in 2019 and her Master of Education in Educational Policy Studies in 2022, both from Boston University. Her master’s program allowed her to engage deeply in race-based equity research, reinforcing her commitment to advocacy for folks historically under-resourced and systemically disadvantaged. With five years of experience in the non-profit sector, Kristal has worked closely with superintendents across the east coast, supported first-generation high school students in their journey to and through college, and helped Spanish-speaking families and young girls in the greater Boston area access vital resources and mentorship.
During her free time she likes to read (mostly memoirs and tons of fiction — always looking for book recommendations), pick up new crafting projects (currently stuck on collaging), and finding ways to annoy her two cats (Frank and Blue).
Our History
Penn is proud to be the home of the second oldest LGBTQ+ center in the US (the University of Michigan was first). What eventually became the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center (Center) was created in 1982 followed several homophobic campus incidents, including the severe beating of a gay sophomore by a fellow student. Student leaders and several progressive administrators took action by hiring founding director Bob Schoenberg to work three days a week as a point person for lesbian and gay concerns (there was no mention of bisexual or transgender people at that time) via Student Activities in Houston Hall.
When the Student Activities office restructured, the program moved to 3537 Locust Walk, eventually acquiring the entire third floor. Although he had assistance from a few work-study students and eventually a half-time staff person, more help was needed. In fall 1998 a second fulltime position was filled and by 2002, the Center was granted a third staff member; a staffing pattern which holds true today. Meanwhile, the Center’s name grew as well, including ‘bisexual’ in the late 1980s and ‘transgender’ in 1999.
In October 2000, Penn President Judith Rodin announced a major gift to the Center from David Goodhand, C’85 and Vincent Griski, W’85. At the same time, the University committed an entire campus building to become the LGBT Center’s home. With this gift and ensuing donations from many alumni and friends, the exterior of the historic 1870s Carriage House was restored and the interior was gutted and redesigned providing two floors of space for the Center and its affiliated student organizations, making it the physically largest LGBTQ+ center in the nation.
After 40+ years, we are incredibly proud of the Center’s progress and status as an invaluable campus resource. That said, we are constantly working to better serve the ever-changing and diverse LGBTQ+ community.
