Gender and Sexuality Student Services provides education, advocacy, support, mentoring, and a safe space for students with marginalized gender and sexual identities (LGBTQIA+).
As part of our services, Gender and Sexuality Student Services presents educational, cultural, and social opportunities for all students to challenge intolerance and promote affirmation in an effort to create a more inclusive and affirming campus climate for those with marginalized sexual and gender identities. LGBTQIA+ includes but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, genderqueer, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexuals and their cisgender and heterosexual allies.
As part of the Division of Student Affairs, we work closely with other entities in the division and across the campus to provide the most appropriate service and support to students.
The offices and Rainbow Lounge are located in the Student Life Building, Suite 22, attached to the Diversity Center. Hours of operation are typically M-F, 9AM-5PM. Please email, GSSS Program Coordinator, Dre Duvendack (aduve2@uis.edu) or, GSSS Intern, Emerson Krasnican (gss@uis.edu) if you would like to schedule a meeting. The main office phone number is 217-206-8316.
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Our Mission
Education • Advocacy • Safe Space • Support • Mentoring
The mission of the Gender and Sexuality Student Services is to provide education, advocacy, support, mentoring, and a safe space for students with marginalized gender and sexual identities at UIS including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, genderqueer, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+). We also work with heterosexual and cisgender students to become more informed and supportive allies. All students are welcome!
Points of Pride
- Rated the #3 most LGBTQ Friendly College/University for 2018-2019 by Affordable Colleges Online.
- Our Tenth Anniversary was in August 2017
- Our peer education program, “Inqueery: Peers Providing Queer Answers” is the only peer to peer educational program at UIS.
- UIS received an A grade from the Campus Pride Index for our “LGBT Student Life” which includes activities that create awareness for LGBTQIA+ students, student leadership and organizations, and intersectional activities with other underrepresented and multicultural groups.
- The Safe Zone program has educated over 500 people at UIS and hosted 80 workshops in six years!
- The annual Closet Door on the Quad event on National Coming Out Day (October 11) has become an indelible part of the UIS campus culture.