The Illinois Pride Alumni Network, the University’s first officially recognized 2SLGBTQIA+ affinity group, is now open for membership after more than two years of preparation.
The organization serves all students and alumni who identify as Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and more, as identities change and grow.
“Our mission is to foster a vibrant, affirming, and inclusive community that uplifts 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and experiences across generations,” the group wrote on its website. “Through mentorship, advocacy, and philanthropy, we are building a future where every member of our community can thrive — on campus and beyond.”
Even though this is the University’s first time officially recognizing a 2SLGBTQIA+ alumni affinity group, the story of this movement at the University goes back to 1987, when University alum Larry Cohen formed the University of Illinois Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association.
In an interview with The Daily Illini, Cohen shared that, despite his efforts, the University did not recognize GALAA as an official alumni club. Without University support and sufficient volunteerism to help run the organization, it died out, leaving a gap in the University’s alumni programming.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Forty-five years later, several alumni, including the PAN’s president, the Rev. Jason Carson Wilson, approached the University of Illinois Alumni Association, aiming to fill that gap. According to Tyler Gagai, director of alumni clubs and engagement at the Alumni Association, collecting data, stories and leadership from alumni like Cohen took time. After countless planning meetings and conversations, PAN transformed from an idea into a reality.
“The leadership of the group has grown to the point now to where they’re functioning at a very high level,” Gagai said. “I’m doing everything I can within my role here at the Alumni Association to help support them and help them actualize that vision.”
With an executive board composed of 2SLGBTQIA+ identifying alumni, allies and University staff from all across the nation, PAN seeks to create an environment to both support and celebrate queer identity in its many forms.
“(PAN) gives alumni who may not have felt fully seen or heard a space to be fully seen or heard,” Wilson said.
Wilson also emphasized that PAN is not just for alumni.
“The entire time I was at the University of Illinois, I was closeted,” Wilson said. “I felt like it was important to join this group, to make sure there was support for not only alumni, but current students who are either out and proud or struggling. They’re questioning, and there needs to be that support.”
In tandem with the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, the organization strives to serve current students by helping them navigate questions specific to their context through the lens of their sexuality and gender identity.
Elvis Guzman, PAN’s vice president, worked in higher education for 10 years advising 2SLGBTQIA+ students. He saw that undergraduate students sought community not just among each other, but with alumni who had experienced similar struggles. Through networking, connection and outreach, those students can know they are not alone.
“Knowing that a group like this exists is so helpful for undergraduate students to know that there are role models who are queer-identifying that are thriving and doing well in life,” Guzman said. “Whether you know it or not, it indirectly does impact students who can see a group like this exist and know that there is a future for them, that there is hope for them, that they can become incredible human beings and thrive.”
In line with its drive for inclusivity, PAN will share members with other alumni groups like the Black Alumni Network and the Latina/Latino Alumni Association. As more members join, more identities get looped into the initiative. With that comes alumni from more regions, more backgrounds and stories to tell.
Mindy Spencer, PAN’s board chairperson, sees the intersection of identity as the most important aspect of PAN. The group formed with that diversity in mind, not just celebrating differences but finding connection in them as Illini, wherever that may be.
“The beautiful thing about Illinois alumni is that we’re everywhere,” Spencer said.
The board hopes that PAN’s mission will coincide with those of existing alumni groups, providing alumni around the globe with an opportunity to showcase who they are.
Though it has officially launched, PAN remains in its early stages as an alumni group. Its board, though operational, still has vacancies, and it needs volunteers willing to share their time and talents to help spread the word, even from allies. Guzman stresses that without ally support, their mission would remain unfulfilled.
“Having that ally support is very important to us because it amplifies the work that we’re doing, but also just indicates to people who may feel that there isn’t support out there, that there really is,” Guzman said. “We welcome ideas from students and from alumni to say, ‘Hey! I have this skillset in this area, how can I contribute to the organization?’ We’re open to hearing how other folks want to contribute to the mission.”
For more information on PAN or to get involved, you can visit its website, fill out its interest form or email at [email protected].
