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Northern Illinois University

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center

Campus & Community Resources

This list includes local resources that are available at Northern Illinois University or in the surrounding area. If you have a suggestion for a topic or a resource to be added, or find a broken link, please contact the LGBT Resource Center.

Resources are listed alphabetically by the following topic headings. Click on a heading to jump to that section of the page. You may also simply scroll down the page to see all of the topics.

 

Academic Resources

  • NIU LGBT Studies Program:  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Studies is an interdisciplinary program which fosters research and teaching related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Students may earn a Certificate in LGBT Studies at the undergraduate or graduate levels.
  • NIU Libraries Gender Studies Collection: Housed in the area of Rare Books and Special Collections, the Gender Studies Collection offers access to primary source materials important in areas related to LGBT studies. For example, the collection contains the papers of Rev. Gregory Dell, a Methodist Minister who received national attention and was the subject of a church trial for officiating same-sex marriage ceremonies, and the fiction and nonfiction titles awarded the Gay/Lesbian Book Award of the American Library Association. The NIU Library also houses a unique collection of all of the major historically significant gay and lesbian newspapers of the Midwest region.

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Ally Resources

  • NIU Ally Program:  The Ally Program is designed to foster a welcoming and supportive campus environment for LGBT students, faculty, and staff by creating a visible network of allies.

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Counseling/Therapy Resources

  • If you would like assistance locating an LGBT-friendly counselor or therapist at NIU or in the DeKalb area, please contact the LGBT Resource Center. All requests are confidential.
  • NIU Counseling and Student Development Center (NIU Students ONLY):  CSDC provides short-term individual and group counseling services on a broad range of personal concerns for a diverse student population. CSDC has conducted coming out therapy groups and other groups for LGBT students. CSDC can also offer referrals to other campus counseling services.
  • Psychological Services Center (Open to All):  The Psychological Services center offers a full range of outpatient services including individual, couple, family, and group therapy.   NIU students, faculty, staff as well as community members from the surrounding area are welcome to use the Psychological Services Center, which offers a sliding fee scale.
  • Employee Assistance Program (NIU Faculty and Staff ONLY): The Employee Assistance Program provides confidential information and professional consultation and referral for faculty and staff members with personal concerns relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. When necessary, the program links employees with appropriate services within both the university and the broader community.

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Discrimination and Harassment Resources

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Diversity Resources

  • NIU Office of Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources (AADR):  AADR provides assistance to members of the university community who believe they have been treated differently, discriminated against, or harassed because of their race, color, sex, age, disability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or political affiliation. Contact the AADR office for more information on non-discrimination policies or complaint procedures.
  • NIU Asian American Center: In support of the academic mission of Northern Illinois University and the Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, the Asian American Center engages in the recruitment and retention of Asian American students at Northern Illinois University by providing students with support services, opportunities for leadership development, student organizational involvement, and diversity programming.
  • NIU Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR):  The Center for Access-Ability Resources works to ensure that NIU's academic and campus facilities are available to ALL students, faculty, and staff. CAAR advocates accessible opportunities by providing a wide range of support services tailored to individual needs. Services offered through the CAAR office include services for students who are hearing impaired. Individuals can request a sign-language interpreter for meetings or events by contacting the Coordinator for Interpreter Services at 815-753-6515. Please allow at least 2 days notice to request an interpreter for an event.
  • NIU Center for Black Studies:  The Center for Black Studies is an interdisciplinary, academic program that offers undergraduate courses relating to African and African-American life and history. The Center also supports numerous student organizations devoted to the cultural and academic interests of African-American students.
  • NIU Center for Latino and Latin American Studies:  The Center for Latino and Latin American Studies provides academic services to faculty and students, including research support and a minor in Latin American Studies. NIU Center for Southeast Asian Studies:  The Center for Southeast Asian Studies provides leadership, focus, and coordination for Southeast Asian studies at the university and community outreach throughout northern Illinois. The center offers academic courses, a lecture series, study abroad programs, and more.
  • NIU International Student and Faculty Office:  The International Student and Faculty Office is responsible for overseeing the immigration requirements and reviewing admissions credentials for all incoming overseas undergraduate students, as well as issuing immigration documents to visiting faculty and scholars. Throughout the academic year the office staff continues to assist in academic and cultural adjustments. The office also oversees the social well-being of international students and faculty.
  • NIU Latino Resource Center:  The Latino Resource Center mission is to recruit Latino/a students to NIU, increase the retention rate of Latino/a students, and provide cultural, social, and academic programs that enhance the quality of Latino/a student life.
  • NIU Provost's Task Force on Multicultural Curriculum Transformation: The Multicultural Task Force organizes an annual institute for faculty to assist them in diversifying their curriculum to address multicultural issues and perspectives.
  • NIU Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Diversity & Equity Community of Practice:  The Assistant Vice President for Diversity & Equity works with the Asian American Center, Center for Access-Ability Resources, Center for Black Studies,  Latino Resource Center, LGBT Resource Center, and Women's Resource Center to coordinate a Diversity Education Plan, Student Diversity & Equity Executive Board, and Diversity & Equity Awards.
  • NIU Women’s Resource Center:  The Women's Resource Center serves as a central resource for women of the campus and community to gain support for their advancement and success in school, on the job, and in their relationships.
  • NIU Women's Studies Program:  The Women's Studies Program is an interdisciplinary academic program housed in NIU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Women's Studies offers an undergraduate or graduate minor in Women's Studies, along with sponsoring cultural and educational programs for the university and surrounding community.

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Hate Crimes and Violence

  • Illinois' Hate Crimes Law includes sexual orientation. If you think you have been a victim of a hate crime based on sexual orientation, you can report the incident to a law enforcement agency.

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Health Resources

  • If you would like assistance locating an LGBT-friendly health care provider at NIU or in the DeKalb area, please contact the LGBT Resource Center. All requests are confidential.
  • DeKalb County Health Department:  The DeKalb County Health Department offers educational information on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, as well as free and anonymous HIV counseling and testing.
  • NIU Health Services (NIU Students ONLY):  Among its broad range of services for students, Health Services' Preventive Medicine services include HIV testing and counseling for sexually transmitted diseases.
  • NIU Health Enhancement (NIU students ONLY):  Health Enhancement is the health promotion department within the Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at NIU. In support of the mission of Northern Illinois University, Health Enhancement strives to provide student-centered, relevant health promotion information, materials and interventions to assist students as they pursue their academic goals.
  • TriCounty Community Health Center:  The NIU center is an academic nursing center staffed and managed by nurses and nurse practitioners. The center provides affordable, primary health care to low income, uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid families. County residents may be seen at the center and fees are calculated on a sliding scale based on income. Services provided include physical exams, diagnosis and treatment of illness, and health maintenance/disease prevention services. The center provides outreach services including casefinding and referral, screenings for disease and health promotion targeted to high risk populations.

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Hotlines

  • LGBT Info Line:  773-929-HELP (4357), 8 am to 10 pm every day. A service of the Center on Halsted in Chicago, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Info Line is available most days of the year.
  • LGBT Crisis Hotline:  773-871-CARE (2273), 24-Hours every day. A service of the Center on Halsted in Chicago. Staff and volunteers with over 45 hours of training provide callers with crisis intervention, emotional support, education, and referrals concerning hate crimes, domestic violence, police misconduct, sexual assault, and discrimination. Crisis Hotline counselors maintain the client's privacy and adhere to a strict confidentiality policy. Counselors will not leave messages on answering machines or with someone other than the caller.
  • State of Illinois AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline: 800-AID-AIDS; 800-782-0423 (TTY), 8 am to 10 pm every day. The free and anonymous AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline provides callers with the most up-to-date, medically-accurate information on AIDS/HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), emotional support, and state-wide referrals for healthcare and social services related to AIDS/HIV and STDs. The AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline, funded by the State of Illinois Department of Public Health, is run entirely by trained professionals who have undergone a comprehensive AIDS/HIV and STD instructional program. Spanish-speaking resource counselors are available during most day and evening shifts.
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender National Hotline: 888-THE-GLNH, Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Central Time, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central Time. Provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States.
  • GLBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-PRIDE, Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Central Time. Provides telephone and email peer-counseling, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States. Telephone volunteers in their teens and early twenties speak with teens and young adults up to age 25 about coming-out issues, relationship concerns, parent issues, school problems, HIV/AIDS anxiety and safer-sex information, and lots more!
  • The Trevor Helpline: 866-4-U-TREVOR, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Trevor Project operates the nations only 24/7 suicide & crisis prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth.

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  • If you would like assistance locating LGBT-friendly legal assistance at NIU or in the DeKalb area, please contact the LGBT Resource Center. All requests are confidential.

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LGBT Organizations

  • Northern Pride: Northern Pride is a campus organization serving the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender faculty and staff. Northern Pride meets weekly for lunch, and provides an informal avenue for faculty and staff who would like to connect with colleagues from across the university. Contact the LGBT Resource Center for more information.
  • Prism of NIU (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Allies Coalition):  An officially recognized student organization since 1970, Prism is an educational and social organization for NIU students. In addition to educating the campus community about LGBT concerns, Prism provides opportunities for LGBT students and their allies to come together to share common interests in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere. Prism sponsors cultural, educational, and social events throughout the academic year.

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Realtors

  • If you would like assistance locating an LGBT-friendly realtor in the DeKalb area, please contact the LGBT Resource Center. All requests are confidential.

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Religion/Spirituality

  • DeKalb First Congregational United Church of Christ: First Congregational is an Open and Affirming congregation, which means that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) persons are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church.
  • Mayfield Congregational Church, United Church of Christ:  Mayfield Church is an Open and Affirming congregation, which means that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) persons are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church.
  • Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of DeKalb:  Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that encompasses many faith traditions. The UU Fellowship of DeKalb is a Welcoming Congregation, and welcomes the attendance and participation of LGBT people in its services and activities.
  • United Campus Ministries:  Housed at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, UCM is an ecumenical ministry representing the Church of the Brethren, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), The Episcopal Church (USA), and The United Church of Christ. Ministries are open to all persons regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, HIV status, physical or mental ability or personal history.

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Safer Sex Resources

  • To encourage the practice of Safer Sex, NIU Health Enhancement and the DeKalb County Health Department both provide free condoms and safer sex supplies along with Safer Sex information. Safer Sex Supplies are also available from the LGBT Resource Center.

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Youth Resources

  • Youth Outlook: Formerly the Questioning Youth Center (QYC), Youth Outlook is a meeting place, discussion group, and drop-in center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Youth Outlook operates drop-in centers for youth ages 14 to 18 in the greater suburban area outside of Chicago. Activities include discussion groups, guest speakers, games, pizza and video nights, and more. Youth Outlook is open in DeKalb on Monday nights. For more information, contact Youth Outlook at (630) 415-2053.

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