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

• Parkland Scholarships 
  Parkland offers a wide variety of merit-based, need-based, and identity-based scholarships. Search the list of Parkland Foundation scholarships which accept applications each fall and spring.
• Acorn Equality Fund
  The Acorn Equality Fund provides scholarships to LGBT persons and allies who maintain a permanent residence in downstate Illinois.
• Point Foundation Scholarships
  The Point Foundation offers LGBTQ scholarships for students attending accredited colleges and universities in the U.S.

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. 

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.

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

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

National Resources