MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Driving student success will be the focus of the 2025 LGBT Plus College Conference at Middle Tennessee State University, set for Thursday, April 3 through Saturday, April 5.

Theme for the free virtual and in-person conference is “Driving Change,” a nod to the forward-moving action needed to develop ways to support LGBTQ+ students and community members.

“It relates well to the conference’s objective of identifying and removing obstacles that might impede student success, along with the goal of increasing belonging and engagement for all students,” said psychology professor William Langston, one of the conference organizers. “LGBTQ+ students make up about 25% of our student population. If we engage those students and make sure we meet their needs, the institution benefits.”

The three-day event will feature a vibrant lineup of speakers, films, presentations, interactive discussions and panels held in the second-floor ballrooms of the Student Union Building, 1768 MTSU Blvd.

• Registration starts at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, April 3, in the Student Union. On Friday and Saturday of the conference, registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the same location.

Kicking off the conference will be author and advocate Marisa Richmond, a retired MTSU history professor and chair of the Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission, among other national LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.

For the afternoon session, the Tennessee Pride Chamber will lead a panel discussion on the current diversity, equity and inclusion backlash, Langston said.

“We are also hosting their Murfreesboro Brewing Up Business event that evening (April 3) at the reception before the film festival,” Langston said. “This will help us build on our relationships with the local business community.”

Allie Sultan, an associate professor of Video and Film Production at MTSU, will close first day events by hosting a film festival featuring a curated selection of LGBTQ+-themed films from around the world, showcasing diverse stories and perspectives.

• Friday, April 4, will feature a variety of sessions and panel discussion with topics focused on the intersections of identity with the broader community. Lunchtime will feature a screening of “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story,” which spotlights one of music’s pioneering Black trans performers.

Friday sessions end with suicide prevention training followed by “Building Trust with Institutions,” a panel discussion with university officials who will take questions and feedback from students.

“We’re requesting unvarnished student feedback about difficult things,” Langston said. “We have some counselors who have volunteered to be in the Creative Commons space for people who might want to talk during the events.”

Afterward, the “game night” activity will give everyone a chance to play games and “unwind,” Langston said.

• Along with panel discussion and presentations on Saturday, April 5, one of the highlights will be the free “Lavender Closet Experience” from 10:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

“The mission of Lavender Closet Mutual Aid Project is to provide inclusive, gender-affirming clothing for LGBTQIA+ adults in the Murfreesboro and Rutherford County area,” explained Lavender Closet founder Eric Hughes, an English lecturer at MTSU. “Clothes are always free to those who need them. The clothing we wear is one of the most basic ways we express ourselves and our identities. We believe everyone should have access to clothing that validates who they are.”

After the panels and presentations on Saturday, April 5, the LGBT Plus College Conference Lavender Celebration of Graduates will recognize LGBTQ+ students of all backgrounds. To participate, sign up online at https://bit.ly/4hJ8re7.

The conference ends with the LGBT Plus College Conference Awards Dinner at 7 p.m.

Presenting sponsors for the conference include the Gay Straight Alliance at Nissan, MTSU Vice President for Student Affairs, the Distinguished Lecture Fund, Tennessee Pride Chamber, The Lavender Closet Mutual Aid Project and Rutherford County Pride. For a complete list of sponsors, visit the conference website, mtsu.edu/mtlambda/LGBTplusCC.php.

There is no charge to attend the conference, although preregistration is preferred. Register at https://bit.ly/420XCOE.

Off-campus visitors attending any of the events during daytime hours on Thursday or Friday of the conference must obtain a temporary permit from the Parking and Transportation Services office at 205 City View Drive or print a visitor pass at https://mtsu.t2hosted.com. Visitor permits are $2 per day. Parking is recommended at the Student Union lot.  A campus parking map is available at https://bit.ly/MTSUParking and more information about parking is available at https://mtsu.edu/parking/.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)