Located in North Campus Apartment 3A and easily identifiable by rainbow flags displayed in the windows, Unity House is the hub of on-campus programming for Kenyon’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning+ community. It was established in 2003 as a safe space for everyone on campus, as well as a meeting place and hang-out spot.
“We work with the Queer Women’s Collective and the Queer Men’s Society to plan events and make sure everyone’s on the same page,” said Nathan Durham ’17, one of Unity House’s managers. Other LGBTQ+ organizations on campus include Athletes for Equality, a Gay and Lesbian Alumni group, and a relatively new organization devoted to giving transgender and non-binary students a place to meet and talk.
Unity House’s library of queer literature and frequent film screenings contribute to “creating a safe environment for everyone, but especially for queer students on campus who need a place to chill and to talk about issues that are specific to their lives,” Durham said. However, everyone is invited to visit Unity House, even informally. “Come make cookies with us and we’ll hang out,” Durham said.