LGBTQIA+ Student resources

Gender and Sexual Diversity

"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."  ~Audre Lorde, writer and poet, intersectional feminist, and civil rights activist

Academic and Career Resources

Pronouns and Chosen Name

Parkland College recognizes that a chosen name is an important component of a person's identity, and members of the campus community may use a name other than their legal first name to identify themselves. The Chosen Name Policy provides Parkland College students and staff the opportunity to use their chosen first name in records and communications that do not require the use of their legal name.

Parkland policy also affirms the rights of all students and employees to be addressed by the name and pronouns of their choice in both verbal and written communications that do not require the use of their legal name. This can be found in Procedure 3.02.01 of the Parkland College Policies and Procedures Manual and Section IV of Students Rights and Responsibilities in the Student Policies and Procedures Manual.

TRiO

TRiO Student Support Services at Parkland College promotes equal opportunity to succeed by providing high-quality and responsive support services for first-generation college students, low-income students, and students with disabilities.

Career Services

Whether you are a student choosing a college major or you are a dislocated worker, career changer, or retiree, we have career resources and services designed to assist you.

Scholarships

Engagement and Mental Health Resources

Restroom Access and Availability

Parkland College strives to create an inclusive and supportive campus environment that values all members of our community, including visitors. One aspect of creating a comfortable environment is providing safe, accessible, and convenient restroom facilities. The college affirms this commitment in Procedure 3.01.02 of the Parkland College Policies and Procedures Manual, ensuring that all individuals on campus may use the restroom that corresponds to their gender-related identity.

In addition, the College is committed to designating and maintaining a gender-neutral restroom in as many of its buildings as reasonably feasible. In some instances, a designated gender-neutral restroom may contain multiple stalls. Additionally, the College is committed to include at least one gender-neutral restroom in new buildings constructed on campus to the extent feasible. 

Gender-Neutral Restrooms

Gender-neutral restrooms are available in these locations:

  • M wing 1st floor lounge
  • B wing 1st floor lounge
  • U wing by cafeteria

gender neutral map 2019 png


Student Organizations

Student Life maintains a list of  student organizations that are currently active, as well as ones that have existed in the past but have become inactive. If you do not find one that meets your interests, contact Student Life for information on starting a new one.

Parkland PRIDE!

Parkland Pride is a student group that encourages collaboration, community, and awareness regarding the spectrum of sexual and gender identities and embraces membership from all students. Meetings are primarily opportunities for students to socialize and discuss various LGBTQ+ topics, but occasionally the group will host special events on campus or take trips to relevant student conferences/events.

Advisors: Tanino Minneci (gminneci@parkland.edu); Somphon Penland (spenland@parkland.edu)

President: Grey Miller (rmiller146@stu.parkland.edu)

Treasurer: TBA

Meeting: Fridays @ 1 pm in U106


MBLGTACC

The Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference (MBLGTACC) is an annual conference held to connect, educate, and empower queer and trans+ college students, faculty, and staff around the Midwest and beyond. This student-run conference is hosted by different Midwestern colleges and universities each year. Contact our student organization Parkland PRIDE! if you have interest in attending MBLGTACC.

Parkland LGBTQ Ally Team

Ally Logo The LGBTQ Ally Team is a network of faculty, staff, and administrators at Parkland College who facilitate education and advocacy on campus about issues related to sexual identity, gender identity, and gender expression. Allies include LGBTQIA+ people and their advocates who have completed the LGBTQ Ally Training facilitated by Parkland's Diversity Committee. 

Center for Community Engagement

The Center for Community Engagement supports and promotes the active engagement of the College’s students, faculty, and staff in partnership with the communities of Illinois Community College District 505. Many volunteer opportunities are available.

Counseling Support Center

Our Counseling Support Center offers counseling services, workshops, peer mentoring, and more.

TalkCampus

Parkland is part of TalkCampus, an anonymous mental health peer support network, available to you 24/7. The TalkCampus platform combines intuitive design, clinical excellence, world-class technology and global support to over 250 institutions and millions of students worldwide. Available in 26 languages.

Civil Rights Protections

Parkland College is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and misconduct on the basis of sex, which includes sexual orientation or gender-related identity. See the Civil Rights Protections section of the Student Handbook for information on reporting sex-based misconduct or harassment and discrimination.

Community Resources

Community Resources

Uniting Pride of Champaign County

UP Center logo.jpgUniting Pride of Champaign County, or the UP Center, advocates for equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQ+ communities in Champaign County. They are active in the community through support and social groups, community-building events, educational workshops, local advocacy, resource referrals, and more. The UP Center hosts the annual CU Pride Fest every September. They also maintain a list of local resources and directories of LGBTQ+ affirming faith communities, healthcare practitioners, and businesses

Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, University of Illinois

GSRC logo.jpgThe mission of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center is to foster an environment that is open, safe, and inclusive for people of all sexualities and gender identities. Many of their programs and events are open to the public.


National Resources

National Resources

Campus Pride

Campus Pride logoCampus Pride is a national organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBTQ students. Their Campus Pride Index is a national listing of LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities who have come out to improve the academic experience and quality of life for LGBTQ and ally people on campus.

Point Foundation

Point Foundation logoThe Point Foundation provides financial support, leadership training, mentoring, and community to LGBTQ college students from around the world attending US-accredited educational institutions.

The Trevor Project

Trevor Project.jpg The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24, 24/7, all year round.

LGBT National Help Center

LGBT National Help Center logoThe LGBT National Help Center provides peer support through hotlines, online chat programs, email services, and publicly accessible online databases of resources. They run the LGBT National Hotline where callers of any age can speak about sexual orientation or gender identity/expression issues.