The Office for Institutional Equity and Belonging is dedicated to providing programs and opportunities that promote and celebrate the LGBTQ+ experience.
Wheaton College’s Network for LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Support, and Advocacy is a group of dedicated faculty and staff members working to enhance the social, emotional, and academic lives of LGBTQ+ students.
Committee members serve as mentors and advocates, and collaborate with LGBTQ+ students and student organizations on campus. They generate and support a wide variety of events, such as National Coming Out Day, Lavender Graduation, and Trans Day of Remembrance to increase visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.
Some of us identify within the LGBTQ+ community, and some of us do not. All members of The LGBTQ+ Network are committed to better serving LGBTQ+ students. Any member of the Wheaton College community who is well-versed in LGBTQ+ struggles, concerns, and/or theory is welcome to join The LGBTQ+ Network.
On-Campus Resources
- Creating a Gender-Affirming Wheaton: A Guide
- Gender Inclusive Housing Policy
- Safe Zone
- SMART (Sexual Misconduct and Assault Resource Team)
- Livesafe App
- Bias Incident Reporting Information
- College Exchange program
Student Clubs & Organizations
- Alliance
Alliance is dedicated to offering a safe space for people of any sexuality and gender identity to come and discuss LGBTQ+ issues and celebrate our diversity.
- Safe Haus
Safe Haus house is an open resource for members of the LGBTQ+ community to either come and talk or just relax and hang out.
- Sexuality, Gender and Inclusion Board (SGIB)
The Sexuality, Gender and Inclusion Board is a new SGA Board dedicated to the well-being and amplification of queer individuals and their voices at Wheaton through the perpetuation of inclusive policy, advocacy, and accountability.
- Sexual Health Advocacy Group (SHAG)
The Sexual Health Advocacy Group of Wheaton College works to foster an open dialogue about topics of sexual health on campus.
- Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC)
The Queer and Trans People of Color organization establishes a medium in which LGBTQ+ and students of color on the Wheaton College campus can mobilize politically, interact socially, and educate each other about the intersection of race, gender, sex and sexuality as a focus.
Departmental Resources
Social Justice and Community Impact
The Center for Social Justice & Community Impact provides opportunities for community service and for exploration of various beliefs. We encourage passionate and informed political activism, creative approaches to social justice work, and respectful bi-partisan dialogue on issues.
Marshall Center
Serves the campus by providing academic, social, cultural, and co-curricular programs and services. To provide the College with an inclusive and diversified approach to educating Wheaton students, each of whom contributes to creating and sustaining a truly intercultural community.
Counseling Center
Counseling Center’s primary role is to decrease emotional, psychological or behavioral barriers in order to support the intellectual growth and academic success of students. We strive to promote a safe and healthy environment for students.
External Resources
Faith Resources
The Human Rights Campaign provides resources that are intended to help LGBTQ+ people, their families, friends, and allies find powerful and transformative spaces to learn more about the intersection of the faith and LGBTQ+ issues.
GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders
GLAD works in New England and nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. They also offer an extensive list of youth organizations in Massachusetts.
GLSEN: LGBTQ+ History
LGBTQ+ interactive timeline of historic global events, as well as additional educational resources. GLSEN is a group of teachers in Massachusetts who came together to help improve educational LGBTQ+ resources.
MassGov
Find LGBTQ+ government and community resources.
Sojourner House
Located in Providence, the Sojourner House LGBTQ+ Advocacy program is designed to specifically address the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, and provides trauma-informed, LGBTQ+-specific counseling.
South Coast LGBTQ+ Network
The mission of the South Coast LGBTQ+ Network is to build and maintain a comprehensive support network for LGBTQ+ individuals and families across the age spectrum in the South Coast community of Massachusetts.
20 LGBTQ+ People Who Changed the World
Learn more about the influential people who sparked movements and change.
National LGBTQ+ Health Education Center
Search for access and further information on LGBTQ+ health and health care delivery.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth.
You Can Play
LGBTQ+ athletes and allies team up for respect to ensure the safety and inclusion of anyone wanting to be involved in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and fans.
Youth Price Inc.
YPI is located in Providence, RI and provides an affirming space for LGBTQ+ young people to build community, develop connections, and be themselves.
Committee Members
Lyndsey Aguilar (They, She)
Associate Director of Residential Life
[email protected]
508-286-8214
Office: Balfour-Hood Campus Center 3rd Floor
Marco Barbone ’09 (He, Him)
Director, Alumni Relations
[email protected]
508-286-3382
Office: Mary Lyon 105
Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus (He, Him)
Professor of Religion and Coordinator of Jewish Studies
[email protected]
508-286-3694
Office: Knapton Hall 102
Kristen Cahalane-Petchar ’05 (She, Her)
Senior Associate Director of Admission
[email protected]
508-286-3778
Office: Admission 104
Barbara Darling (She, Her)
Senior Professor of the Practice of Religion
[email protected]
508-286-3693
Office: Knapton Hall 101
Leah Dyjak (They, Them)
Assistant Professor of Photography
[email protected]
508-286-3582
Office: Mars Arts and Humanities
Emily Kiablick (She, Her)
Women’s Lacrosse Coach
[email protected]
508-286-5804
Office: Haas Athletic Center
Valery León Quintero ’23 (She, They, Ella)
First Generation & Low Income Student Success, Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA
[email protected]
508-286-3372
Office: Chapel Basement
Kate Mason (She, Her)
Assistant Professor of Sociology and Women & Gender Studies
[email protected]
508-286-5776
Office: Knapton 305
Luis F. Paredes
Associate Vice President, Institutional Equity and Belonging
[email protected]
508-286-3482
Office: Park Hall 1st Floor
Tamara Pires (She, Her)
Residential Life Coordinator of Upper South
[email protected]
508-286-8214
Office: Balfour-Hood Campus Center 3rd Floor
Mike Pratt (He, Him)
LGBTQ+ Engagement Coordinator/ Healthy Masculinity Coordinator
[email protected]
508-286-3811
Office: Chapel Basement
Audrey Spina ’17 (She, Her)
Career Advisor, Career Services
[email protected]
508-286-8215
Office: The Filene Center for Academic Advising and Career Services
Alessandra Ward
Assistant Professor of Education
[email protected]
508-286-3641
Office: Doll’s House 203
Elliot Welsh (He, They)
Residential Life Coordinator of Upper North, Theme House Coordinator
[email protected]
508-286-8214
Office: Balfour-Hood Campus Center 3rd Floor