Pride is a Diversity Advocacy organization that strives to provide a safe social and educational atmosphere for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, curious, and allied (GLBTIQQCA) community of Illinois State.
Pride provides services to Illinois State students regarding issues and concerns to work against oppression of all people. In an effort to provide safe spaces on campus that are highly visible and easily identifiable to GLBT persons, the Dean of Students Office created Safe Zone. Identified by a rainbow triangle, Safe Zone is a place of support and understanding where acceptance is key and discrimination is not tolerated.
Any Illinois State student interested and willing to be an ally may join Safe Zone and/or Pride. Members need to be open-minded; supportive of the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals; and willing to learn about issues related to sexual orientation.
Illinois State will celebrate National Coming Out Day Friday, October 11, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The members of Pride will bring their rainbow door to the Quad for all students, faculty, and staff who identify as GLBTQ and allies to walk through and “come out” to campus. For more information regarding Pride, Safe Zone, or National Coming Out Day, call Diversity Advocacy at (309) 438-8968.
Marie Huels contributed to this article.
