P.R.I.D.E. = Promoting Respect, Individuality and Diversity for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight Allies Coalition that provides a supportive network, a positive social outlet and a caring environment. Educational programs and activities advocate fairness and respect for students, faculty and staff.
LGBTQ...
LGBTQ+
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer-questioning, plus more.
Lesbian
Relating to a woman who is sexually attracted to women.
Gay
Relating to an individual who is sexually attracted only to people of the same gender, traditionally a term used only by men but now embraced by others.
Bisexual
Relating to an individual who is sexually attracted to both men and women or to people regardless of their gender.
Transgender
Relating to an individual whose sex assigned at birth does not match their gender identity.
Queer
Can be used to define any orientation that is not straight and/or any gender that is not cisgender.
Questioning
Relating to an individual who is currently unsure of or exploring their orientation and /or gender identity.
...Plus More
2s or Two-Spirit
A modern term, used by some Indigenous North Americans, to describe people who have the spirit of both man and woman or are a third gender.
Agender
Relating to an individual who has no gender.
Ally
A person who is not part of a particular marginalized group but who stands up and advocates for the rights of people in that group.
Androgynous
A gender expression that is neither feminine or masculine, sometimes defined as a blending of both masculinity and femininity.
Asexual (Ace)
Relating to an individual with a low or absent sexual attraction, may also include demisexual and graysexual, and sometimes shortened to Ace.
Binary
Relating to two things or two options. Individuals who identify their gender as either man or woman fit into the gender binary.
Cisgender
An individual whose sex assigned at birth matches their gender identity, or who they know themselves to be.
Demisexual
Relating to an individual who experiences sexual attraction to a person only after they've developed a close emotional bond with them.
Genderqueer
Relating to an individual whose gender identity is neither man nor woman.
Graysexual
Relating to an individual who experiences sexual attraction rarely or with low intensity, sometimes shortened to gray-A or gray-ace
Intersex
Relating to an individual whose biological sex characteristics (i.e., genitals, reproductive organs, chromosomes, and/or hormones) do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
Pansexual
Relating to an individual who is sexually attracted to people regardless of their gender.
Polyamorous
Relating to an individual who engages in more than one sexual and/or romantic relationship at a time, with the knowledge and consent of all involved.
Crisis & Outreach
Lambda Legal
Representation for LGBTQ+ people and legal information and about the rights of LGBT and HIV+ citizens.
LGBT National Help Center
Volunteers from the LGBTQIA+ family provide free & confidential peer-support, information, and local resources through national hotlines and online programs.
Trans Lifeline
Run by and for trans people, the Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for the community.
The Trevor Project
Reach out to a counselor if you’re struggling, find answers and information, and get tools to help someone else.
General Information
2022 US Trans Survey: Early Insights
Highlights from a comprehensive national survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Human Rights Campaign State Equality Index 2023
Comprehensive state-by-state report that provides a review of statewide laws and policies that affect LGBTQ+ people and their families.
Human Rights Campaign Tools for Equality and Inclusion
Browse by topic to see information and advice on a range of topics.
LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History
(National Park Foundation and Gill Foundation, 2016). A publication on LGBTQ history in America, each chapter written and peer-reviewed by experts in LGBTQ Studies.
OutHistory
Articles and timelines about LGBT people and places in history.
Sexual Violence & Childhood Sexual Abuse in the Ace Community (2021 Survey)
Information on the demographics and experiences of members in the ace community from the largest survey of ace communities.
The Trevor Project: Understanding Gender Identities
A guide to gender and gender identity with links to related topics and resources, plus FAQ.
Health Information
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health
Resources and statistics from the CDC on health topics concerning LGBT health.
Medline Plus: LGBTQ Health
From the National Library of Medicine, health topics are regularly reviewed, and links are updated daily.
National LGBT Health Education Center
Provides webinars and publications on various topics in LGBT health.
Organizations
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Non-profit organization focused on LGBTQ advocacy and cultural change, working to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation and creating national and local programs that advance LGBTQ acceptance.
GLBT Historical Society
Collects, preserves, exhibits and makes accessible to the public materials and knowledge to support and promote understanding of LGBTQ history, culture and arts in all their diversity.
GSA Network
Information on starting and finding GSA clubs (orginally called Gay-Straight Alliance clubs) in schools.
Human Rights Watch: LGBT Rights
Human Rights Watch works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peoples' rights, and with activists representing a multiplicity of identities and issues.
National Center for Transgender Equality
In the nation’s capital and throughout the country, NCTE works to replace disrespect, discrimination, and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice.
Transgender Law Center
The largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people
Publications
Guide to Being a Straight Ally
A guide from Strait for Equality about being a good ally for LGBT cause.
Human Rights Campaign Resource Guide to Coming Out
Brochure on coming out and living openly.
LGBTQIA+ Studies: A Resource Guide
The collections of the Library of Congress tell the rich and diverse story of LGBTQ+ life in America and around the world. This research guide serves as an introduction into the excellent collection of LGBTQ+ resources available at the Library of Congress.
Our Trans Loved Ones
Questions and Answers for Parents, Families, and Friends of People Who Are Transgender and Gender Expansive by PFLAG
Understanding sexual orientation and homosexuality
The American Psychological Association's answers to frequently asked questions about sexual orientations.
Understanding transgender people, gender identity and gender expression
The American Psychological Association's answers to frequently asked questions about gender and transgender people.
Films on Demand Video Series: Pronouns, LGBTQIA+, and Gender Identity
Access requires SVCC login.
Film Description
(Run time 4:17) Apart from using people's names, pronouns are the way we express our gender and refer to other people's gender, but traditional gender pronouns (she/her, he/him) do not fit everyone's gender identity. People who identify outside of a gender binary often use pronouns that are not gender specific. It is important to be aware of and to use the names and pronouns that people choose for themselves to express their gender. This video explores use of gender neutral pronouns and why it matters to use them correctly.
Film Description:
(Run time 7:41) An individual’s gender identity is how they understand their own gender, and usually how they wish to be referred to by others. Gender identity is not necessarily connected to a person’s body. People choose to define their own gender identity, and it is important for others to accept their choices and to refer to them with language that aligns with their gender identity. In this personal approach to gender identity you will learn from the case study video that there are many gender identities and it is important to understand, accept, respect, and be kind.
Video: He/She/They featuring Schuyler Bailar
