LGBTQ+ Student Organizations
Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) – The goal of Gender and Sexuality Alliance is to create a safe, supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer students, (LGBTQ+) and allies.
COMING SOON All Gender Equity Society (AGES) – The goal of the All Gender Equity Society (AGES) is to work towards creating a space in which the LGBT+ community, specifically the trans community can feel welcome, safe and respected while increasing campus awareness of trans issues that intersect with the needs of other campus community members and allies. We also provide support for the community that we serve. Our mission is to involve and educate the members of Allegheny College on what it means to be trans and a part of the LGBTQ+ community. We will accomplish this by collaborating with other organizations as well as the IDEAS center as we increase awareness, provide education and build a supportive community at Allegheny College.
COMING SOON Queer People of Color (QPOC) – The goal of QPOC is to strive to create a safe and respectful community, while raising awareness about queer or (LGBTQ+) issues that intersect with needs of racial & ethnic minority communities on the Allegheny Campus and their allies.
Counseling Services at Allegheny
The Counseling and Personal Development Center (CPDC) provides free individual and group counseling to students in a confidential setting. They additionally provide programming, outreach and consultation services for the Allegheny Campus community. We know the college years are a time of growth, transition, significant challenges, and considerable stress. We are here to help you with your concerns by being authentic in the pursuit to provide you with brief strength-based support.
Trae Yeckley, Ph.D., LMFT
Director
Pronouns: They, Them, Theirs
Trae has been at Allegheny since the spring of 2017. Originally from California, Trae obtained a BA in Film and Media Studies from the University of California, Irvine, and went on to receive a Master of Education in Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon. After several years of working in community mental health, they moved to Iowa to pursue a Ph.D. In 2016, Trae graduated with a Ph.D. in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Iowa. They have nearly a decade of experience working in a variety of counseling settings but discovered a passion for working with college students while spending time at the Cornell College Counseling Center in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
When not in the office, Trae can generally be found outside enjoying playing sports, watching birds, or going on nature walks with the family. When forced inside due to weather, Dr. Yeckley spends time following San Diego sports teams, baking, or playing Legos.
Gender-Inclusive Housing
First-Year Students
Any first year student wishing to live on a gender-inclusive floor will have the option on their First Year Housing Preference Form found on the Allegheny Bound Essentials website. The floor inBaldwin Hall does not require an application but preferences should be made clear on the housing form. These communities are designed to offer support, activities and resources for incoming people of all gender identities/expressions and affirm the cultural experiences of LGBTQ students and allies. Rooms are all double capacity and roommates are carefully chosen based on clear understanding of need and best fit for each student.
Upper-Class Students
The Gender-Inclusive Living Community located in Walker Hall and Allegheny Hall is a space for people of all gender identities and expressions and affirms the cultural experiences of LGBTQ students and allies, while welcoming the diverse and complex identities of every resident. The Gender-Inclusive Living Community provides options for a variety of students: those who feel uncomfortable rooming with members of the same sex/gender, students in the process of discovering their gender identity, and students who feel they would be more compatible living in a community that supports all gender identities and expressions. Restrooms in this building are designated all-gender. This is an intentional community for those who promote inclusiveness regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender-expression.
Students who live in this community will be expected to contribute positively to the community by:
1. Offering support and encouragement for the living environment
2. Respecting floor members’ different motivations for choosing this living option
3. Embracing and learning from experiences different from one’s own
4. Actively participating in community events
5. Abiding by all regulations as outlined in The Compass
Independent Living Spaces
All students living in our Independent Living Spaces (College Owned Houses, North Village 1 and 2, College Court, and Allegheny Commons) can do so in a gender-inclusive environment. All facilities are shared by house/apartment/suite residents including bathrooms. There is no programmatic component specifically designed in these areas unless it is student/staff initiated. Most of these spaces are available during the Room Selection process for Upper-class students (Juniors and Seniors). There are exceptions, for example: The Max Kade International Wing Language Houses and Special Interest Houses.
Transgender at Allegheny
Chosen Name:
The Chosen Name Policy at Allegheny College supports students seeking to change their names without pursuing a legal name change. Students who list a preferred or familiar name on their admissions application automatically have their preferred names entered into the college system.
We also believe that empowering students with the option to change their name contributes to a safe and non-discriminatory college experience. Reasons for name changes may include transgender or gender non-conforming identities, international students or other students who wish to adopt an English language name, students known by names that are different from their legal names, or students who have popular names who wish to use a different name. Please note that some records may require the use of legal names only, such as federal and medical documentation.
Fill out the chosen name form here to start the process
All-Gender Restrooms:
Allegheny College is committed to having safe and accessible campus restroom facilities. We recommend that individuals make choices about restroom usage based on their own level of comfort and/or their gender identity or expression.
Currently, there are single stall restrooms in most campus buildings. All of our single stall restrooms are “all gender” restrooms, providing space for anyone, regardless of gender identity, to use that restroom. We also have all gender multi-user restrooms, meaning that multiple people can be in that restroom, regardless of gender identity.
Our campus map has a layer to view the all gender restrooms. Look under “Campus Life” on the map here: https://map.allegheny.edu/
Trans/Non-Binary MeetUp:
The Trans/Non-Binary MeetUp is a once a month gathering of transgender and non-binary students staff and faculty. Sometimes we just hang out and offer each other support and answer questions from our personal experience. We also do group outings such as bowling, trans pool takeover, and more.