The Safe Zone program was implemented by the Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee as a way to welcome and support individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community at Lake Land College and the surrounding area.

LGBTQIA+ Reserve Fund

The primary purpose of this fund is to be able to provide immediate assistance to LGBTQIA+ students at Lake Land College who find themselves in an unsafe situation.  Funds will also be used to help transgender students at Lake Land College with legal name changes to help protect their identity.

Requests that are urgent in nature will be prioritized.  These funds are not intended to be used for routine expenses or as a consistent supplement to a student’s education funding sources.

Be aware, if your request is approved, funds are disbursed from the fund to the provider, not directly to the student.  A maximum award of $500 may be given per approved applicant in that semester. Additional funds may also be available through the Lake Land College Emergency fund if a student’s situation qualifies.  Funding is only available during the semester the student is enrolled, and the student may only apply ONCE per semester.  

To be eligible for consideration for LGBTQIA+ Reserve Funds:

1. The student must be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
2. The student must be registered for at least 6 credit hours at Lake Land College in the semester when the funds would be applied.
3. The student must have a referral from a staff or faculty member of Lake Land College.
4. The student must complete the attached application for funding. 
   (If your initial application is approved, you will then meet with a member of the reserve fund committee who will help you further.)

For more information regarding the LGBTQIA+ Reserve Fund, contact:

Kim Hunter at:  khunter@lakelandcollege.edu or Marcy Satterwhite at:  msatterw@lakelandcollege.edu

Download the application and return it to Kim Hunter or Marcy Satterwhite for consideration.

Safe Zone

What is a Safe Zone?

A Safe Zone is a safe place in which all individuals are encouraged and reassured they can be their authentic selves and feel safe, welcomed and included. These are areas on and around campus where supportive faculty and staff can provide information and work toward the elimination of myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes. Those who have participated in this training will receive a Safe Zone sticker or window cling to display in their area.

Why is this important?

• 92% of LGBTQIA+ youth say they hear negative messages at school and on the internet about being LGBTQIA+.
• 4 in 10 LGBTQIA+ youth say the community in which they live is not accepting of LGBTQIA+ people.
• LGBTQIA+ youth are twice as likely as their peers to say they have been physically assaulted.
• 26% of LGBTQIA+ youth say their biggest problems are not feeling accepted by family, trouble at school/bullying, and a fear to be out/open.

Important Note

Those who participate in the training are not required to self-identify as a Safe Zone member. Participants are welcome even if they are only interested in information. Participation will not be disclosed without the participant’s consent.

Three-Tiered Program

Ally:

• Entry level
• Great for those looking to gain knowledge and/or experience
• Participants encouraged regardless of lack of prior knowledge
• Lets LGBTQIA+ folks know you are a safe space to be their authentic selves

Advocate:

• Second level
• A more intensive training that brings in concepts of intersectionality and advocacy
• Lets LGBTQIA+ folks know you are a safe person to come to for assistance or support on LGBTQIA+ issues*

*Note: This does not mean you must have all the answers, rather it means you are someone who is willing to help find them.

Trainer:

• Highest level
• Qualifies participants to provide Safe Zone training to colleagues

Contact Mercury Bowen at mbowen@lakelandcollege.edu with questions or to schedule Safe Zone training.

Safe With Me

What is the Safe With Me training?

Learn how to provide a safe space at Lake Land College for your LGBTQIA + classmates/friends.

“Anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity can be an ally.  Allies are some of the most effective and powerful voices of the LGBTQIA+ movement. Not only do allies help people in the coming-out process, they also help others understand the importance of equality, fairness, acceptance and mutual respect.” – glaad.org

Throughout this training, students will learn why there is an important need for being an ally, discussed in sections 1 and 2, and how to be an ally, discussed in section 3.

Those who complete the training will receive a “Safe With Me” sticker to place on their belongings in an effort to spread awareness about the program and the need for allyship.

Self Register for the canvas “Safe With Me” course

This program is sponsored by the Lake Land College PRIDE Club; Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee and Student Activity Board.

Those interested in the Lake Land College Student Pride Club can contact Marcy Satterwhite at msatterw@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5359.

LGBTQIA+ Resources

The UP Center of Champaign/Urbana

The UP (Uniting Pride) Center of Champaign County is a multi-service agency, for youth and adults, with a purpose to support and promote human care, education, and community-building activities directed at furthering the well-being and development of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and ally community of Champaign County. Visit their website for more information, or call them at 217-550-4248.

Additional Resources:

• Understanding Gender Identities | The Trevor Project
• The Coming Out Handbook | The Trevor Project
• Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People | The Trevor Project
• LGBTQ Health (illinois.gov)
• Human Rights (illinois.gov)
• Uniting Pride of Champaign County
• PFLAG Charleston, IL (pflagcharlestonil.blogspot.com)
• PFLAG Council of Northern Illinois – Support – Education – Advocacy (pflagillinois.org)
• It Gets Better – The It Gets Better Project exists to uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe.
• ACORN EQUALITY FUND – Home
• Equality Illinois – Equality Illinois
• The Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (ilsafeschools.org)
• Home – LAGBAC
• Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends
• Home | AFSP
• Gay Affirming Christian Churches; Homosexuality & the Bible (gaychurch.org)
• GSA Network
• You Can Play Project
• Free, 24/7 Help for Youth & Teens – National Runaway Safeline (1800runaway.org)
• How do I know if I have an intersex condition? | Intersex Society of North America (isna.org)

Ally Resources

• The Right and Wrong Questions to ask a Transgender Person
• Pride Flags Guide and Histories

Donate to the LGBTQIA+ Reserve Fund

Make A One-Time Donation

Choose “other” and then type in “LGBTQIA+ Reserve” to direct your donation to this fund.

This fund can provide immediate assistance to LGBTQIA+ students who find themselves in an unsafe situation.  Funds will also be used to help transgender students with legal name changes to help protect their identity.
(it currently costs around $450 to legally change your name in Illinois)