Universities have long served as sanctuaries for LGBTQI+ young people. For many queer students, going off to university is a chance to explore and experiment in a less judgemental setting.

Yet according to the annual Australian LGBTI+ University Guide, a surprising number of universities around Australia don’t have an LGBTQI support group or similar organisation. You can see how your university rates here.

With the national discussion on marriage equality getting uglier by the day, LGBTQI+ people need a queer-friendly environment more than ever. So if you’ve ever thought about engineering your own campus LGBTQI+ society, there’s no time like the present.

Here are some things to keep in mind.

#1 Familiarise Yourself With Campus Policy

Anyone can start a club but if you want it to be recognised by your university, you’ll have to submit an application. You should be able to find all the forms you’ll need to fill out if you drop by the student union offices or skim the university website.

Each university will have a different application process. This could include collecting signatures from students to prove sufficient interest, or drafting a group constitution with predetermined objectives and expectations for members.

Chris di Pasquale, LGBTQI+ Officer for the National Union of Students (NUS), told Uni Junkee that an “active and visible” queer group can be a “safe space for activists to organise”.

You might want to think about what you hope to achieve other than simply creating a space for LGBTQI+ students to be themselves. For example, right now the NUS is working with queer collectives across the nation to coordinate an enrol-to-vote campaign for the estimated 279,000 young Australians who are missing from the electoral roll, as of June 30.

The good news is once you’re certified, you can apply for a space to congregate, financial grants and other sweet benefits. Totally worth it.

#2 Reach Out To Other Students

Obviously, prospective members need to know your group exists before they can join it. But you don’t necessarily need to wallpaper your campus with A4 posters and max out your printing allowance to get the word out. Likewise, if you formed after orientation or missed your chance to hand out flyers on open day, don’t stress.

“Link up with other progressive student groups who are willing to give you a shout-out.”

Being active on social media is a good start. A Facebook page is a no-brainer, but why stop there? Find out if there’s a school events bulletin and post a sign-up sheet. If you can, send a university-wide email CC’ing all faculty and students. Link up with other progressive student groups who are willing to give you a shout-out. Heck, scream through a megaphone at strangers on the street*. *Or not. Above all, be creative.

#3 Find A Faculty Advisor

“Student groups and collectives have a proud history of autonomy,” says di Pasquale. But he adds that a sympathetic member of staff who’s willing to vouch for your newly founded LGBTQI+ society can add much-needed legitimacy, especially if you’re worried about your application bouncing.

It shouldn’t be too hard to recruit someone to the cause, particularly if you’re completing a degree in the Arts or Social Sciences. Those circles generally tend to attract more progressive types.

#4 Approach Off-Campus Advocacy Groups For Free Stuff

Getting in touch with LGBTQI+ organisations off-campus can yield resources and literature such as posters, brochures and other educational materials on issues like coming out, bullying, mental health, homophobia/transphobia, disclosure and stigma at low to no cost.

Most queer groups would be willing to supply as much merch as their budget allows, but just as important as decorating your digs is forging supportive relationships with the wider LGBTQI+ community.

#5 What Happens If Your University Says No?

If all your paperwork is in order, you’ve met the criteria for forming a student group and your university is still resistant to the idea of The Gays™ congregating on campus, it’s not the end.

“Putting pressure on your school administration can be as simple as launching a petition and spreading the word on social media.”

Case in point: earlier this year, Griffith University came under fire after refusing to allow a designated space for members of the campus queer collective to call their own. In response, students collected nearly 600 signatures and met with university management to negotiate an arrangement. In the end, not only was a space allocated but the incident strengthened the LGBTQI+ activist presence on campus.

Much of queer history is marked by triumph over oppression. As di Pasquale says, “By running a concerted campaign that is willing to defy university management, you can lay the foundations for a collective that will last.”

Putting pressure on your school administration can be as simple as launching a petition and spreading the word on social media. While you’re at it, contact the student newspaper and student union. Whatever happens, don’t give up.

“You can fight and you can win,” di Pasquale says.

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Seb Starcevic is a freelance writer based in Melbourne. He tweets at @SebStarcevic.