American Red Cross Blood Drive
JJC offers support services as well as education for the JJC community in relation to LGBTQIA+ topics. On this page, you can search for JJC, local and national resources as well as find answers to frequently asked questions.
Note: In creating the local and national resource list, efforts were made to include organizations that affirm, support, and are knowledgeable about LGBTQIA+ identities. Please note that inclusion of any resource on the list should not be taken as a formal endorsement by JJC and that the college does not assume any responsibility or liability for the resources provided.
JJC offers many services and resources for LGBTQIA+ students.
The staff at Joliet Junior College (JJC) works to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment. Members of the JJC Safe Zone Ally Project consist of JJC faculty, staff, and current students who work to create a safe environment for all members of the campus community regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The purpose of this page is for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ and are attending JJC to have access to resources on campus, in the community, and online. If you would like more information about the Safe Zone Project at JJC please click here.
Safe Zone Allies work in many different areas of our campus community and can be identified by Safe Zone decals in their offices or on an instructor's course syllabus. Safe Zone Allies are individuals who have participated in ally training, are aware of community resources, and fully support student success. A full list JJC Safe Zone Allies can be found here:
Students who identify as LGBTQIA+ have access to all JJC student support services. Services include:
JJC offers workshops to increase awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion. They are essential to employees so that they build their skills to create an inclusive campus culture.
Room: D-1004
Phone: 815.280.2801
Email: dei@jjc.edu
If you're not sure about your college major or you need career coaching, you can set up a meeting with a Career Services representative.
Room: A-1175
Phone: 815.280.2756
Email: careers@jjc.edu
Get help via JJC counseling services, group therapy, workshops and more.
Main Campus: A-1100
Phone: (815) 280-2936
The Disability Services offie helps provide accommodations and support services like coaching, technology training and assistive technology.
Main Campus: A-1125
Phone: (815) 280-2223
The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities is responsible for protecting the integrity of the college experience, upholding laws that apply to the protection and rights of students and providing advocacy when needed.
Main Campus: A-1103
Phone: (815) 280-2309
OSA provides opportunities for students to discover, practice and develop their personal and professional skill sets.
Main Campus: D-1010
Phone: (815) 280-2202
JJC offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations to support personal development, leadership development, social activities, and special interests. A list of all JJC clubs and organizations can be found on our Office of Student Activities page.
If you are interested in getting involved with a LGBTQIA+ organization at JJC, consider Pride Alliance. Student members of Pride Alliance work to celebrate diversity and promote equality among all sexual orientations and gender identities of the JJC Community. The club provides peer support, hosts annual LGBTQIA+ related events, and supports advocacy efforts.
Patricia Binfa
Phone: (815) 280-2449
Email: pbinfa@jjc.edu
Office: U-1002C
There are many resources available to students who are transferring to their next institution. If you are looking for a LGBTQIA+-friendly campus the resources below may help you find a campus that is right for you.
BestColleges.com partners with HigherEducation.com to provide students with direct connections to schools and programs suiting their educational goals through program rankings.
The Office of Holistic Wellness proudly partners with Will County Health Department to provide HIV and STD testing for the JJC community.
HIV/STD Testing
More information about sexual health and HIV/STD testing can be found on our Student Wellness page.
LGBTQIA+ Health
More information on LGBTQIA+ health can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer People Book
The Institute of Medicine has also published an e-book.
National Alliance on Mental Illinois
Information on and resources for LBGTQ and Mental Heath can be found via the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.
Mental Health Services
JJC offers the following mental health services:
Location: A-1100
Phone: 815.280.2936
Email: mentalhealthservices@jjc.edu
The JJC Library Staff has created a LibGuide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Resources. The site includes terms, definition, and information on social issues, important links, book suggestions, and much more.
JJC works to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment. JJC acknowledges that many students use first names other than their legal first name to identify themselves.
Students who wish to pursue this option must complete a Preferred Name form and submit it to The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities. The Dean of Students may request to review this information with you for approval.
Once reviewed and approved, the Dean of Students will provide the student with a letter of support and contact appropriate offices who can support this request. The approval of this form will not change a student's legal name on any legal college documents. A student is still obligated to use their legal name on all legal documents.
It is the student's responsibility to contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities each semester to provide updates in class schedule and needed support.
For more information about this process, for additional information, or to seek other support services please contact The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities by visiting A-1100 or calling (815) 280-2761.
Please note: The JJC Dean of Students will support the students request whenever possible.
It is also suggested that the student take a proactive role in this process and encourages communication with faculty members.
Preferred Name Change Request Form (Solicitud de cambio de nombre preferido)
All-access and gender neutral bathrooms are available at the Main Campus, Romeoville Campus and City Center Campus in the following locations:
To see opportunities, visit our Safe Zone Ally page on MyJJC for more information.
The JJC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Compliance (DEIC) Office offers resources as well.
If you experience discrimination or an ethical violation by a JJC employee related to your gender, gender identity and/or sexual orientation, you can report it here:
If you are a JJC student and experience discrimination by another JJC student related to your gender, gender identity and/or sexual orientation, you can report it via this student reporting platform.
Students may need to seek supportive resources off-campus. While we made efforts to identify local organizations that affirm, support, and are knowledgeable about LGBTQIA+ identities, we do not endorse or cannot make that guarantees for the organizations listed.
Website
Alcoholics Anonymous District 51
Phone
(815) 773-9623 (Will County Division)
Website
AI-Anon
Address
Fellowship Club of Will County
1703 N Broadway
Crest Hill, IL 60403
Address
501 Ella Ave.
Joliet, IL 60433
Phone
(815) 727-8670
Website
Will County Health
Address
1548 Bond Street, Suite 114
Naperville, IL 60563
Phone
(630) 717-9408, Ext 1180
Address
840 Plainfield Road
Joliet, IL 60435
Phone
(815) 723-1548
Emergency Line
(815) 685-5288
Website
AGAPE
Address
3656 N. Halsted Street
Chicago IL 60613
Phone
(773) 472-6469
Phone
Deborah L. Wilke, Ed.D., LCPC, NCP, DAPA
(630) 759-9799
Email
docwilke@gmail.com
Website
Compassionate Counseling
Address
4025 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone
(773) 388-1600
Website
Howard Brown Health Center
Address
2420 Glenwood Ave
Joliet, IL 60435
Phone
(815) 722-7000
Website
Regional Care
Address
157 South Lincoln Ave Suite K
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone
(630) 264-1819
Website
Open Door Clinic
Address
301 Veterans Parkway
New Lenox, IL 60451
Phone
(815) 485-6197
Website
Trinity Services
Address
1004 Pawlak Parkway
New Lenox, IL
Phone
(844) 580-5000
Website
Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital
Phone
(815) 727-8521
Website
Will County Health
Website
Bolingbrook Pride
Email
bolingbrook.pride@gmail.com
Facebook
Joliet Pride Facebook Page
Email
jolietpridenetwork@gmail.com
Facebook
Plainfield Pride Facebook Page
Email
info@plainfieldpride.org
Facebook
Will County Pride Facebook Page
Address
168 N. Ottawa Street
Joliet, IL 60432
Phone
(815) 729-0930 ext 1330
24 Hour Hotline
(815) 730-8984
Address
4025 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone
(773) 388-1600
Address
2420 Glenwood Ave.
Joliet IL 60435
(815) 722-7000
Website
Regional Care
Address
1106 Neal Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433
(815) 727-8670
Website
Will County Health
Phone
1-888-843-4564 (Adults and Youth)
1-800-246-7743 (Youth ages 13-25
Website
GLBT National Help Center
24-Hour Hotline
(815) 730-8984
Website
Guardian Angel Community Services
Provides free crisis and suicide prevention services to LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 13-24) including a 24-hour hotline and secure instant messaging to connect those in need to trained counselors.
Phone
1-866-488-7386
Website
thetrevorproject.org
Phone
(877) 565-8860
Address
840 Plainfield Road
Joliet, IL 60435
Emergency Line
(815) 685-5288
Website
AGAPE Missions
Phone
(630) 588-9165
Website
Canticle Ministries
Address
157 South Lincoln Ave., Suite K
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone
(630) 264-1819
Website
Open Door Clinic
Address
2420 Glenwood Ave.
Joliet IL 60435
(815) 722-7000
Website
Regional Care
Address
501 Ella Ave.
Joliet, IL 60433
Phone
(815) 727-8480
The following local places of worship have identified themselves as being LGBTQIA+ affirming. You can find more LGBTQIA+ affirming churches at gaychurch.org.
Church
Good Shepherd Church, ECLA
Address
25 Alexander Circle
Romeoville, IL 60446
Phone
(815) 886-4354
Website
www.welcome432.org
Church
Wesley United Methodist Church
Address
21 East Franklin Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
Phone
(630) 355-1834
Website
Wesley Naperville
Church
Masjid al-Rabia
Address
637 S Dearborn St,
Chicago, IL 60605
Website
Masjid al-Rabia
Church
Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet
Address
3401 W. Jefferson St, Joliet
Phone
(815) 744-9020
Website
UUJoliet
Church
First Congregational United Church of Christ
Address
25 E. Benton Ave.
Naperville, IL 60540
Phone
(630) 355-1024
Website
First Congregational
Website
AISDSD
Address
3656 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60613
Phone
(773) 472-6469
Website
Center on Halsted
Address
Universalist Unitarian Church of Joliet
3401 W. Jefferson St.
Joliet, IL 60431
Website
UUJoliet
Website
Genderqueer Chicago
Email
genderqueerchicago@gmail.com
Address
New England Congregational Church
406 W. Galena Blvd
Aurora, IL 60506
Phone
(630) 415-0622
Email
pflagaurorafoxvalley@pflagillinois.com
Website
PFLAG
Address
Fellowship Club of Will County
1703 N. Broadway
Crest Hill, IL 60403
Email
lalania.oconnor@youth-outlook.org
Address
Spanish Community Center
309 N. Eastern Ave
Joliet, IL 60432
(Enter through the parking lot off Franklin Street; entrance is behind the community center)
Website
Youth Outlook
Email
nancy.mullen@youth-outlook.org
Phone
(815) 754-5331
Website
Youth Outlook
The following is a list of resources meant to provide additional education about topics related to LGBTQIA+ communities.
The Accord Alliance promotes comprehensive and integrated approaches to care that enhance the health and well-being of people and families affected by disorders of sex development (DSD) by fostering collaboration among all stakeholders. They provide education to increase awareness about DSD and create guidelines, models of care, and training for medical professionals related to DSD.
Website
Accord Alliance
The HRC is the largest civil rights organization in the country working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Their site contains issue maps, topical resource guides (e.g., coming out, religion & faith, HIV/AIDS), and more.
Website
Human Rights Campaign
The National Center for Transgender Equality is the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people. Their “About Transgender People” page provides links to basic terminology related to trans people, statistics about the trans community, FAQs, ally tips, and more.
Website
National Center for Transgender Equality
The National LGBTQIA+ Task Force is the country’s oldest national LGBTQIA+ advocacy group.Besides advocacy, the Task Force’s Policy Institute conducts groundbreaking research and policy analysis on hot- button issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community.Visit their “Fact Sheets & Infographics” page to learn more about issues affecting the community.
Website
National LGBTQ Task Force
Seeking to demystify and humanize the experiences of intersex individuals, the Interface Project highlights the experiences of people born with intersex conditions. Also includes an FAQ page.
Website
Interface Project
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
awab.org
Gay Buddhist Fellowship
gaybuddhist.org
Dignity USA
dignityusa.org
Emergence International
emergence-international.org
Keshet
keshetonline.org
Reconciling Works
reconcilingworks.org
United Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church
mccchurch.org
Affirmation
affirmation.org
Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity
themasgd.org
Unitarian Universalist Church
uua.org
Unity Fellowship Church Movement
unityfellowshipchurch.org
Affirmation
affirmation.org
The following resources are intended for students who are questioning their gender identity, considering coming out as trans/nonbinary/genderqueer, or are exploring their options for transitioning.
Comprehensive guide that has been used by many trans men and their loved ones since 2005. Contains a wealth of information on many aspects related to FTM transition, including:
Transsexual & Transgender Road Map
Comprehensive guide for transgender people considering transition created by a transgender woman.
The following is a list of national groups that provides services for and do advocacy work on behalf of LGBTQIA+ communities.
Trans Athlete
Transathlete is a resource for students, athletes, coaches, and administrators to find information about trans inclusion in athletics at various levels of play.
Immigration Equality
Provides free legal services for LGBTQIA+ and HIV-positive immigrants.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
Provides direct representation for low income transgender people and transgender people of color in three main areas: Survival & Self Determination (Name Changes, Assistance Obtaining and Updating ID Documents, Health Care Advocacy, Criminal History/Fingerprinting), Immigrant Rights (Name Changes, Assistance Updating Immigration Documents, Adjustment of Status, Naturalization, Removal Defense, Asylum) and Prisoner Justice (NY-only).
Sylvia Rivera Law Project Website
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
Site includes a map that allows users to find out which laws protect LGBTQIA+ people and people living with HIV in their state, toolkits, infographics, and other topic-specific resources.
Candidates for the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees will participate in a forum, hosted by Student...