What is the Office of LGBT Resources?

Why is the office needed?

The campus environment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign mirrors the larger society in that it reflects and contains homophobic and/or heterosexist attitudes and beliefs which are oppressive and devaluing of LGBT people. The Office of LGBT Resources seeks to help in the efforts to address homophobia on the campus and to work to make the environment safe, affirming, and inclusive for all students, faculty, staff, and LGBT students, faculty, and staff in particular.

Who is the office for?

The Office of LGBT Resources is a resource not only for the LGBT community but for the entire University community. It serves as a resource for anyone who is interested and committed to learning about LGBT people, issues, and concerns. And for the LGBT community, the Office is a resource that provides support for full inclusion for all within the University — including those who experience homophobia or who need support in coping with their status as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender member of the campus.

Support Services

The Office for LGBT Resources provides a confidential forum for LGBT students, faculty, and staff to discuss the campus climate. The Office works with campus units to increase awareness and affirmation of LGBT people and reduce discrimination and harassment based on gender or sexual orientation. The Office refers LGBT people to appropriate campus and community support services. In addition, it collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to develop programs to celebrate the LGBT presence on the campus by organizing and sponsoring events associated with LGBT Awareness Week and National Coming Out Day.

The Educational Role

The Office for LGBT Resources collaborates with existing groups on campus to develop programs, workshops, and activities to raise campus awareness about LGBT concerns and to honor the contributions of LGBT people to the campus. The Office maintains a collection of LGBT resource materials (books, videos, magazines, pamphlets, etc.) for use by the University community. It also collects data about the incidences of hate crimes, harassment, heterosexism, and discrimination based on gender orientation.

The Referral Role

The Office helps LGBT students, staff, and faculty identify existing resources and services on campus and in the community that assist in addressing LGBT issues, problems, and concerns. It helps students find Allies in their various departments of the campus.