LGBTQ+ Resources
We welcome our LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff to the Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion!
The Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion is dedicated to inclusion, empowerment, social change, and justice. Our mission is to create campus environments, programming, and policies that reflect our dedication to justice. We remain committed to empowering and uplifting the voices of LGBTQ+ students, offering equitable access to our resources and programs, acknowledging and celebrating the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ people of color, and standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ students while advocating for social change in higher education.
A preferred name is a name that students plan to go by on campus. Other than cases where legal name is required, this is the name will be used in different instances such as CANVAS and class roster.
UNA allows any student to request a preferred name to reflect in CANVAS and for the class roster. Electing to use a preferred name will not change your legal name.
Visit the link here to learn how to request a name change and view frequently asked questions.
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- : Tips for finding a welcoming college along with advice from experts who have a deep understanding of the LGBTQ+ experience in college
- : Explore 47 scholarship offers designed for applicants who proudly express their unique experiences in the LGBTQ+ community
- : Look up LGBTQ+ college scholarships here.
- : This organization offers scholarships for LGBTQ+ college students as well as mentoring and training.
- : Both allies and LGBTQ+ college students can apply for their numerous scholarships.
- : Offering funds and scholarships to the LGBTQ+ community, especially those in rural areas, this charitable organization also offers other kinds of direct services.
- : LEAGUE offers multiple scholarships for LGBTQ+ students including the Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship.
- : This award recognizes outstanding LGBTQ+ students.
- : Offering the Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship, which is available for lesbians, and the Levin-Goffe Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Immigrants, which is available for New York City immigrant LGBTQ+ or intersex people, this organization is also very important to those hoping to learn more about LGBTQ+ history.
- : Awarding as much as $10,000 in scholarships, this organization is for LGBTQ+ youth pursuing a college degree.
- : This organization was created to encourage gay men to further their education and act as role models to other gay college students.
- : Trans and gender-diverse scholars are eligible to apply for this small scholarship. STARTING AGAIN IN 2025
- : This organization offers funds for students who are LGBTQ+, college grants for women of color, and much more within the field of women’s studies.
- : This fellowship offers $10,000 and $20,000 scholarships for MBA students.
- : NLGJA offers both awards for excellent journalism and scholarships for communications students.
- : This prize is for students of queer anthropology who’ve written on the topic.
- : This organization aims to create role models for LGBTQ+ people going to one of five major California schools.
- : Offering queer people in California numerous fellowship opportunities, this might be a great opportunity for those looking at West Coast schools.
- : This program is for California student leaders who’ve contributed a service to the LGBTQ+ community.
- : Have you ever wanted to be a pilot? This massive scholarship is offered by the National Gay Pilots Association.
- : A list of scholarships, fellowships, and grants for LGBTQ+ and ally students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
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Often, your school will have its own schedule for local pride and queer-related events. If you don’t see enough, note that you can .
- : This leadership academy is for undergraduate students.
- : This conference is run by the .
- : This event is run by GLAAD and was created to speak out against LGBTQ youth bullying and harassment.
- : GLAAD also organized this event for bisexual+ awareness.
- : This day protests harassment of students, involving silence and a “breaking the silence” rally at the end of the day.
- : This organization helps create leaders of all ages within the LGBTQ community.
- : For LGBTQ MBA students and graduates, this is the ultimate networking event.
- : O4U offers yearly conferences for high-achieving students interested in business, engineering, marketing, and technology.
- : GLSEN offers this event for allies to show their support for LGBTQ+ students and their families, and learn how to best support the community.
These are just a sampling of some of the national student communities; a student might want to ask, “Where are LGBTQ+ organizations near me?” to find organizations at specific colleges. There are some great to check out as well!
- : An e-mentoring program for trans youth to connect with supportive, identity-affirming mentors who will empower them to meet their personal goals and thrive.
- : This organization is a volunteer-based group for LGBTQ+ student leaders to encourage safer college campuses.
- : The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) offers help to LGBTQ+ students and promotes events like Ally Week, the Day of Silence, and No Name-Calling Week.
- : If your school doesn't currently have a GSA club, you can be the one to start it! The Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network is made up of “trans and queer youth uniting for racial and gender justice.”
- : This is a network of LGBTQ+ rights organizations; see if you can .
- : The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) promotes positive depictions of LGBTQ+ people in media.
- : This is a safe social network for LGBTQ+ people ages 13-24.
- : Transgender people experiencing discrimination can find help and resources here.
- : This youth-led group promotes education about trans and gender-diverse lives.
- : AVEN offers a safe space for asexual and questioning people.
- : This is an advocacy group for intersex people and advocates for consensual surgeries.
- : Connect and find resources for intersex people.
- : Sports players can rely on this group for support.
- : This organization is for LGBTQ+ people, their allies, and their families.
- : This organization is for people with one or more LGBTQ+ parents.
- : This organization is for straight allies.
- : NQAPIA is an organization for queer Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander groups.
- : This organization is for LGBTQ+ people interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
- : This organization works to create a more accepting world for gender-diverse people of all ages.
Unfortunately, LGBTQ discrimination on college campuses is still a reality. While many campuses across the U.S. are becoming more and more inclusive, there are still situations where students and administrators fail to rise to the opportunity to support LGBTQ+ students. Sometimes, the harassment can be so bad that it’s hard to find your footing. Learn about how to take a stand and stem the tide of bullying.
- : This is a list of great resources and helps for those being harassed.
- : Report hate crimes and erase hate with this national organization.
- : While LGBTQ+ bullying in schools should not be tolerated, neither should bullying in the workplace. Students who work near or on campus should keep this resource in mind as well.
- : This resource has more information about bullying and creating safe spaces.
- : GLAAD has outlined the best tips for combating anti-LGBTQ bullying.
- : Find handouts, curricula, and videos for creating safe spaces.
Start by , such as , the , and , as well as , like the “no-promo homo” laws. Right now, the such as the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act, but discrimination still happens. If you’re in a situation that might require legal action, consider looking at some of these resources:
- : The ACLU fights for LGBTQ+ rights on a national scale, fighting in the legal arena on common issues like adoption, anti-bullying laws, trans rights, and more.
- : StopBullying.Gov has a complete resource on all of the federal laws protecting you as well as a .
- : This organization offers legal help for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV.
- : This is an association of lawyers and legal professionals offering justice to the LGBTQ community.
- : With research and data on current protections, this is a great spot for learning about your rights.
- : This organization pushes for LGBTQ+ litigation and policy changes.
- : TLDEF connects pro bono attorneys with low-income trans and nonbinary people through its Name Change Project and also offers education.
- : Get legal help with name changes and harassment for your gender expression and identity.
- : This organization offers legal protection to transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
- : This organization has a legal rights information page detailing federal laws, example harassment incident reports, and more.
Students with LGBTQ identities have a and suicidal thoughts than their heterosexual counterparts. If you’re an LGBTQ student looking for help, use one of these resources:
- 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678 (): This is the top crisis intervention service for LGBTQ people under 25.
- 877-565-8860 (): Offering emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis, this organization has helped thousands of trans people.
- 988 (): This national resource, funded by , offers help.
- 212-714-1141 (): Report violence or get crisis intervention help with this organization for LGBTQ and HIV-positive people.
- : If you want to know that there are happy and successful queer people out there, the It Gets Better Project offers you .
- : This project aims to prevent major health and mental health risks for LGBTQ youth by increasing family acceptance.
- : Talking with health providers can be hard for queer and trans young people, and the Q Card is an educational tool that can help young people self-advocate in healthcare spaces.
Learn how to properly address trans or queer peers, and use some of these other resources to familiarize yourself with gay culture.
Finding Better Terms and Definitions
- : This is the official GLAAD handbook and a good guide for those hoping to run GSAs or for school administrators unused to correct terminology.
- Planned Parenthood’s and : Learn about the differences between biological sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- : Get answers to questions about sexual orientation, trans identities, and more.
- : Identify your gender identity, gender expression, types of attraction, and more.
- : The Trevor Project has a great self-care guide for young people coming out.
- : This resource lists real-world examples of harmful and helpful terminologies.
- : This awesome glossary has a lot of need-to-know LGBTQ+ information.
Other Resources
- : This organization promotes sex education for social change.
- : This is another organization aimed at improving sexual education.
- : This is an educational tool focused on gender and social justice.
- : Bi students looking for more information can read tons of articles and resources here.
- : This is a news resource for LGBTQ people hoping to stay abreast of politics and culture.
This page was adapted for ease-of-navigation from the .
If you have any additional questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to email us at socialinclusion@una.edu, we would be happy to assist you!
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