At Skagit Valley College, we respect and welcome all persons, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Our commitment is that all students, staff, and faculty should feel safe, welcome, and supported on our campus. We reject homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and heterosexism and support the achievement of our LGBTQ students. Through diversity dialogues and safe zone training, we seek to provide educational opportunities for students, staff, and faculty. We recognize that difference, in all its forms including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, enriches our campus community and enhances the learning environment for all.

SVC continues to actively evaluate, update, and add to our programming, policies, and resources for LGBTQ individuals and allies based on best practices.

A list of Community Resources

Protection from discrimination and harassment against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and other gender and sexual orientation communities are covered under Title IX and VAWA. The following regional and national organizations provide information, resources, and support to members of these communities experiencing discrimination.

We maintain a list of regional and national organizations that provide information, resources, and support to members of these communities experiencing discrimination.

Pride Foundation

The Pride Foundation is a regional community foundation serving the Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The Pride Foundation inspires giving to expand opportunities and advance full equality for LGBTQ people across the Northwest.We envision a world in which all LGBTQ youth, adults, and families enjoy the freedom to live safely, openly, and genuinely.

Pride Foundation’s scholarship program is committed to supporting LGBTQ and allied students that:

• Show leadership potential either within the LGBTQ community and/or within their field of study;
• Lack a broader LGBTQ community support system;
• Face additional barriers to educational access, including students who are economically, racially, socially, geographically, or politically disenfranchised. For example: LGBTQ students of color, transgender students, LGBTQ immigrant students, LGBTQ youth aging out of foster care, and students who have experienced homelessness, poverty, or isolation due to geography;
• Demonstrate significant financial need

PFLAG

PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.By meeting people where they are and collaborating with others, PFLAG realizes its vision through:

• Support for families, allies and people who are LGBTQ
• Education for ourselves and others about the unique issues and challenges facing people who are LGBTQ
• Advocacy in our communities to change attitudes and create policies and laws that achieve full equality for people who are LGBTQ

YMCA Oasis

Oasis Daylight Center has fun activities, food and a computer lab for teens 13-17 years old. Each day there will be different activities such as painting, games, crafts, cooking, LGBTQ support and more. This means that shelter and community teens now have a safe place to gather during the day. The support from the community has been outstanding. Many agencies, parents, and retired professionals have volunteered to spend time at Oasis mentoring, playing games, and supporting our youth.

To name a few agencies that will be providing support to teens at Oasis: WorkSource, Planned Parenthood, Catholic Community Services/Community Services, PFLAG, Goodwill, Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services, and the Mount Vernon Library. The collaboration continues and we are ready to rumble!