Thanks to Our Yearly Supporters

 BECOME A SPONSOR

The award-winning LGBTQ Center was founded in 2006 to provide education and resources for the community with a commitment to advocacy, equity, respect and support for LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff. A beloved resource in Jacksonville, the Center is a respected partner for education and support programs, strategic initiatives, and consultation on LGBTQ issues at UNF and in the Greater Jacksonville community.

At UNF, the LGBTQ Center contributes to student retention, success, and graduation through programs and services that create a sense of belonging and inclusion. Students who participate in Center programs leave UNF with a deeper understanding of, and confidence in, their own skills and gifts, an ability to effectively engage with people in a diverse society, and a commitment to serving the greater good. The Center also provides services that ensure faculty and staff are best equipped to work with LGBTQ students and other diverse populations through advising, consultation, and collaboration that pushes beyond best practice to innovative, courageous initiatives.

In the Greater Jacksonville community, the LGBTQ Center acknowledges the complexities and intersections of sexuality, race, gender, ability, age, socioeconomic status, and other identities. In partnership with non-profit and for profit organizations, the Center helps ensure that equity, diversity, and inclusion are advanced and widely supported through programming, training, community surveys, events resources, and more.

Over the past decade, UNF’s vision for LGBTQ support, education, and resources with a commitment to equality and respect for all people has accomplished monumental achievements. This is thanks to the longtime support of community members, organizations and their dedicated staff. What did we accomplish with your help?

• Often ranked among the Top LGBTQ Friendliest Colleges/Universities, UNF is currently #8 in the South and #1 in Florida, according to Campus Pride 2020 & 2021 rankings.
• In Fall of 2015, gender inclusive housing launched to provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive experience for all students.
• Certified over 400 faculty, staff and community members as allies through the Safe Space: LGBTQ Identities cultural competency training program
• Brought the first “out” transgender artist to MOCA Jacksonville, a cultural institute of UNF
• Launched a community-based LGBTQ student mentoring program with support from the LGBTQ Community Fund for Northeast Florida, The Weaver Philanthropic Initiative, and Michael Miller
• Increased LGBTQ visibility through Enrollment Services webinars and targeted recruitment of LGBTQ students
• UNF is one of two university-based LGBTQ centers/offices in the state of Florida with a separate space and full-time staffed LGBTQ Center.
• We were one of the first colleges in the City of Jacksonville to include both sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
• Gender-neutral restrooms are located in several buildings throughout campus including gender neutral locker rooms in the new Wellness Complex.
• UNF offers several academic courses that address gender and sexuality and has out LGBTQ and ally faculty and staff in departments throughout the university.

• The Center creates a more supportive and affirming place for all, inclusive of sexual orientation and gender. Some of those efforts include:
• Gender Inclusive Housing: Stonewall Hall Living Learning Community
• Drop-in location to study, socialize, connect, and learn (including access to computers)
• Information and referrals to campus and community resources
• Crisis intervention, case management, advising, and counseling
• Peer-led discussion groups for diverse populations
• Club Can-Do mentorship program
• Consultations on policies and procedures, including Title IX and student conduct
• Free, monthly HIV/STI testing on site
• Free mental health counseling

• The LGBTQ Center offers innovative education and professional opportunities on a variety of topics, including: gender, sexuality, diversity, mental health, and healthy relationships.
• Resource library with books, periodicals, and DVDs available for checkout
• Speakers Bureau peer-educators program, reaching 300+ students annually
• Workshops and presentations in academic courses, campus departments and Jacksonville organizations
• Safe Space training and Cultural Competency Pursuit programs reaching 200+ annually
• Advising students, faculty and the community engaging in research on gender and sexuality
• Public lectures on contextually relevant topics such as religion, law, policy, and more
• Club Can-Do Mentoring Program and annual LGBTQ Employment Summit
• Annual student scholarships, for part-time and full-time students
• Representation on divisional, university-wide, and community boards and committees
• Research, publications, and presentations at national conferences
• Community partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses
• Events and Visibility, and so much more!

 BECOME A SPONSOR

Here at UNF, we believe in developing the best citizens and leaders for our community. We need your help so that we can continue to lead, educate, and advocate for a world that welcomes, supports, and invests in LGBTQ people. We can’t do it without you! If you would like any further information, please contact Kathleen Leone, (904) 620-1838 / k.leone@unf.edu.

DONATE NOW 

Support Our Center

Your support will ensure that the UNF LGBTQ Center continues its commitment to advocacy, equality, respect and support for LGBT students, faculty, and staff. See below the list below for different ways you can show your support. 

Attend Center Events

Attend events when you can, and make sure to spread the word. Stay up-to-date by joining the e-newsletter! Attending events shows your support of LGBTQIA and Ally students and provides opportunities for connection and networking. Check out our upcoming events page for future events and recurring events. 

Create Impactful Events and Programs

Cash and in-kind donations benefit LGBTQIA and Ally students at UNF by providing meaningful education, programming and events on campus on topics like gender, sexuality, diversity, social justice and cultural competency.

Examples of LGBTQ Center Programming include:

• Nationally recognized speakers and performers like Rea Carey (Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force), Ian Harvie (transgender comedian), Rev. Macarthur Flournoy (Human Rights Campaign), and Mary Lambert (musician)
• Professional development and training for faculty, staff and students
• Lavender Graduation Ceremony
• Club Can-Do Mentoring Program and LGBTQIA Speakers Bureau
• Panel Discussions and Networking events
• Movie screening film rights
• Support and social groups

Examples of in-kind donations:

• Event photography and video production
• Food/catering and refreshments
• Printing of posters, fliers, and invitations
• T-shirts and promotional items
• Providing us with resources for our food pantry

Support Student Scholarship and Learning

Conference travel and registration grants

Conferences provide students the opportunity to present their scholarly and activist work to peers and professionals. Conferences also provide opportunities for supplemental and extracurricular learning opportunities, connections between classroom learning and professional pursuits and valuable networking and leadership opportunities.

Full-time student scholarships

Help a full-time student support their studies. Scholarships help pay for tuition, fees and book costs

Part-time student scholarships

Part-time students are under-served in the realm of scholarships and aid opportunities. Many part-time students support themselves independently through full-time work. Help a part-time student cover tuition, fees and book costs.

Graduate Student Assistantship

Graduate Assistantships provide paid professional experience to graduate students while they focus on an LGBT-related project at UNF. These positions also cover tuition for two courses.

Build the Resource Library

The LGBTQ Center offers a library of more than 500 books, DVD's and videos related to gender, sexual orientation and the LGBT community. The materials are available for checkout to UNF students, faculty and staff for up to two weeks for books and one week for DVDs. The Center welcomes donations of new and gently used books, magazines and academic journals, DVD's and CD's.