The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Resource Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale serves as a centrally located, safe campus space that provides educational outreach, referral information and advocacy services, which add to an inclusive and diverse environment for LGBTQ students, faculty, staff, families, friends, alumni, and the greater Southern Illinois Community.
The LGBTQ Resource Center provides:
- Support – As a designated, obvious safe space, the LGBTQ Resource Center provides immediate support and referral to students at risk or confronting personal issues related to their “coming-out”. Additionally, potential new faculty/staff or even continuing employees searching for community resources are able to access information through the center.
- Education – This office provides educational outreach to a variety of departments such as academic departments, Housing, Counseling Center, Wellness Center, Student Health Programs, Affirmative Action, Public Safety, and New Student Programs. In addition, resources are made available to academic classes addressing LGBTQ issues within their curriculum. This office works to raise their profile until such time as an academic home can be identified or created.
- Advocacy – LGBTQ individuals may be reluctant to speak up and speak out due to the social stigma of being LGBT or Q. The Resource Center serves as a central office that speaks with one voice to advocate for LGBTQ individuals on the issues they face. The office also serves as an obvious symbol to the campus, the greater Southern Illinois community, faculty, staff, students and prospective students that SIUC is a welcoming, diverse campus dedicated to equal treatment of all people. The office advocates on policies, procedures, education, increased awareness, tolerance and diversity throughout the University, at all levels.
