Mentor Program FAQ

Mentors take very seriously the privacy of their mentees. However, due to the fact that the meetings take place in public, it is possible that friends or others the mentee knows may see the mentor and mentee together. Trust that the mentor will never disclose the nature of the mentor/mentee relationship without the mentee’s permission. The mentors also participate in monthly group supervision meetings facilitated by the program coordinator. During these meetings, the mentors receive supervision from the coordinator, and provide support to one another by sharing ideas and resources without sharing specific identifiable information of the mentees.

After a mentee turns in their application and undergoes an intake interview, the program coordinator pairs mentors and mentees based on:

• Shared characteristics such as their sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnic/racial identity, or other intersecting identities 
• Academic and personal interests
• When possible, we try to accommodate any specific requests a mentee might have if available

Mentors are UC Irvine students, faculty, or staff members who have worked through their own LGBTQ coming out process, and have had experience negotiating life as an LGBTQ individual. It is this personal understanding that makes mentors particularly well suited to help others.

Mentors and mentees discuss issues of interest to the mentee. Often discussions center on self-acceptance, coming out to friends or family, same-gender dating questions, safer sex practices, religious conflicts, multiple identities (e.g. being LGBTQ and an ethnic minority). They can also focus on academic or professional issues related to LGBTQ identity. Mentors and mentees explore positive resources together (e.g., Gay and Lesbian Community Centers, the UCI LGBTRC).

Mentors and mentees may attend LGBTQ activities or community events together such as discussion groups, gay pride parades or festivals, gay-comedy acts or gay-related theater performances.

Mentors and mentees usually start out meeting weekly. Over time, they may meet less frequently, depending upon the mentee’s needs. Meetings are flexible in order to accommodate both mentors’ and mentees’ schedules.

Though it is extremely rare, sometimes mentees are assigned to new mentors if the match is not working out. The program coordinator facilitates this process and change. We want to ensure the mentee gets the support they need in a comfortable and safe environment.