At Rockland Community College, we embrace the diversity of our community. The Connection Center strives to create a welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff to engage with and develop their understanding and support LGBTQIA+ communities through programs, events, learning and development, support, resource sharing, and consultation.
Queer Conversations
Queer Conversations is a bi-weekly discussion group open to anyone interested in having conversations about LGBTQIA+ life and features a series of rotating guest facilitators. For the Fall 2024 semester, Queer Conversations are hosted in the Connection Center (8372) every other Tuesday at 12:45 pm. Here are the dates:
- September 10
- September 24
- October 8
- October 22
- November 5
- November 19
- December 3
CANDLE Rockland Flame Chapter
In collaboration with CANDLE Rockland, a new chapter of FLAME for RCC students has started for the Spring 2024 semester. FLAME is a youth/college age-centered program that allows folks who identify in the LGBTQIA+ community to socialize, play games, talk about serious issues, and ask questions. For the Spring 204 semester, FLAME is hosted in the Student Union, Room 3217 monthly on Tuesdays from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
HIV Screening and Support
In collaboration with the Rockland County Pride Center and the Healthy Futures program, the Connection Center hosts multiple free HIV Screenings for RCC students throughout the Fall 2024 semester in the Growing Together Lounge, located in the Technology Building, Room 8370. Test results are confidential. Students can also speak with a screener about safe-sex practices and assess STI risk. Here are the dates and times:
- September 10 – 11 am – 4 pm
- September 26 – 1 pm – 7 pm
- October 9 – 1 pm – 7 pm
- October 24 – 11 am – 4 pm
- November 15 – 11 am – 4 pm
- November 21 – 1 pm – 7 pm
- December 3 – 11 am – 4 pm
LGBTQIA+ Ally Training
In an effort to educate both students and employees about the diverse needs of our most marginalized students, the Connection Center hosts various LGBTQIA+ Ally Trainings.
LGBTQIA+ Ally Trainings include an overview of the population, challenges specific to this population, gender, sex, pronouns, what it means to have privilege, case studies, information about appropriate community resources, what it means to be an ally, and discussion on how to be a good ally for the LGBTQIA+ community. Keep an eye out for campus-wide emails from the Connection Center on upcoming LGBTQIA+ Ally Trainings. All folks, regardless of their knowledge are welcome.
2024 Lavender Graduation Ceremony
The Rockland Community College 2024 Lavender Graduation Ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 5:30 pm in Student Union 3214, Nelson Mandela Room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Lavender Graduation Ceremony?
Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on numerous university/college campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, intersex, questioning, and ally students and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the college. The Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo at the University of Michigan in 1995. Today, there are thousands of Lavender Graduation Ceremonies at Colleges and Universities nationwide. Graduating students are invited to take part in the celebration.
Why a Lavender Graduation Ceremony?
The Lavender Graduation Ceremony is a cultural celebration that recognizes LGBTQIA+ students and acknowledges their achievements and contributions to the university. Through such recognition, LGBTQIA+ students may leave the college with a positive last experience of the institution thereby encouraging them to become involved mentors for current students, as well as contributing alumni. The Lavender Graduation Ceremony is an event to which LGBTQIA+ students share their hopes and dreams with one another, and are officially recognized by the institution for their leadership and their successes and achievements.
What is the significance of lavender?
The Lavender Graduation Ceremony is a cultural celebration that recognizes LGBTQIA+ students and acknowledges their achievements and contributions to the university. Through such recognition, LGBTQIA+ students may leave the college with a positive last experience of the institution thereby encouraging them to become involved mentors for current students, as well as contributing alumni. The Lavender Graduation Ceremony is an event to which LGBTQIA+ students share their hopes and dreams with one another, and are officially recognized by the institution for their leadership and their successes and achievements.
RCC LGBTQIA+ Commission
Founded in the Fall 2023 semester, the RCC LGBTQIA+ Commission was created to foster a more inclusive and supportive campus and community climate through education, activism, and advocacy for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Commission is comprised of students, staff, and faculty, and meets monthly to discuss, plan, and make meaningful changes at RCC for students and employees.
Commission Membership 2024-2025
-
- Steven Marks (Chair)
- Veronica Murphy (Co-Chair)
- Jael Dolly
- Evan Fass
- Julian Goldstein
- Kim Grace
- Matthew Johnson
- Meghan Nolan
- Felicity Popovich
- Emily Solorzano
- Jess Stallone
- Patricia Szobonya
Commission membership applications are sent via email each spring semester for membership the following year. To get in touch with the LGBTQIA+ Commission, please email Steven Marks (Chair) at [email protected].
Gender-Inclusive Bathroom Locations
- Student Union, Second Floor (across from the Hawk’s HUB)
- Academic I, First Floor
- Eugene Levy Fieldhouse, First Floor
LGBT National Help Center
LGBTQIA+ National Hotline:
888-843-4564
https://lgbthotline.org/
Hotline Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 4 pm – 12 am Eastern
- Saturday: 12 pm – 5 pm Eastern
TRANS LIFELINE
877-565-8860
https://translifeline.org/
Press “2” for Spanish
Hotline Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 1 pm – 9 pm
Trevor Project
866-488-7386
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/
Hotline Hours:
- 24/7
Rockland County Pride Center
845-353-6300
[email protected]
https://rocklandpridecenter.org/
The Pride Center is a 501(c)(3) LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) community center with a justice focused mission. The Pride Center works to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ people through:
- Free and low-cost community events;
- Monthly support groups;
- LGBTQ+ Youth Program to empower and support young people;
- Senior Drop-In space;
- Partner with Montefiore Nyack Hospital to provide LGBTQIA+ healthcare at the Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center;
- Survival services to ensure everyone’s basic needs are met;
- Referrals, individual advocacy, and navigation around medical care, mental health, housing, legal, and social services;
- Advocacy to address discrimination, close service gaps, and make change.
- We envision and manifest an abundant world where LGBTQIA+ people of all ages are safe, pursuing their dreams and goals, and held by a strong, vibrant community.
- The Pride Center is the only organization in Rockland County whose sole mission is improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ people. We serve people from throughout the Hudson Valley and Northern New Jersey.
CANDLE Rockland
845-634-6677
[email protected]
https://www.candlerockland.org/
Community Awareness Network For A Drug-free Life And Environment, Inc. (CANDLE) was founded as a non-profit organization in 1982. Its mission is to prevent substance abuse and violence among youth. CANDLE’s goal is to improve the health and climate of our schools and our communities by providing prevention education and resistance strategies to youth and their adult allies, and support programs for young people at risk.