About GLOW

GLOW is the longest-running LGBTQ organization in Canada. We’re located at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. We offer many services to the LGBTQ community including a peer-support phone line (519-888-GLOW), a weekly discussion group and social, and special events. We offer a positive and welcoming environment to everyone regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation. Our services are available to students of UW, as well as to the community at large.

The Duties and Functions of GLOW are:
1) To establish a campus support network for the queer and questioning community that includes links with on and off campus resources and organizations;

2) To provide supportive and confidential environments to facilitate discussion pertaining to the queer and questioning community;

3) To educate the campus community on issues pertaining to the queer and questioning community in the interests of promoting a campus culture that is aware and accepting of diversity; and

4) To ensure all GLOW services and resources are accessible to all members of the campus community.

GLOW is a service-based organisation. These mandates are met by offering various services and activities, some of which include weekly discussion groups and socials, a peer-support and information phone line, a lending library, and various special events.

How GLOW Operates:
GLOW is an official organization at the University of Waterloo. There is no “membership” involved. A group of volunteers oversees the various services offered by GLOW. As with any student-run organization, new volunteers are always welcome.

A student coordinator is elected each term and manages events and activities along with other volunteers. The coordinator also serves as a liaison with the Federation of Students, who provide GLOW with financial support.

A Note on Inclusivity:
GLOW strives to provide a positive environment for members of all sexualities, not just “gays” and “lesbians” as our name might suggest. (GLOW is just an nice-sounding acronym.)

We welcome bicurious, bisexual, dyke, homosexual, intersexual, queer, transsexual, transgender, uncertain, undecided, and straight people, (etc.), too!

On many of our web pages we use the term “queer” to represent all of the above-listed groups.