LGBTQIA+ Safe Zone

Welcome!

At Berkeley City College, we believe every student deserves to feel safe, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves. We are committed to providing an environment where our LGBTQIA+ students can experience a deep sense of belonging.

You are seen. You are heard. You matter.

We stand firm in our commitment to creating an inclusive campus where all students—regardless of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation—are celebrated and supported. No student should have to face their journey alone, and at Berkeley City College, you won’t. Whether you are out and proud, still exploring your identity, or seeking a community that understands you, we are here to affirm your place within our college family.

Title IX Protections & Campus Safety

Berkeley City College (BCC) is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students. CA law extends protections against discrimination to all students on the basis of gender, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation

Title IX protects students and employees from discrimination based on sex in education programs. As a student or staff of Berkeley City College, if you have been harassed or discriminated against based on your sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression on campus, please contact our Vice President of Student Services, Stacey Shears.

BCC Title IX Coordinator: Vice President of Student Services Stacey Shears
Phone: (510) 981-2810
Email: sshears@peralta.edu

Accommodations:

All-gender & ADA accessible single-occupancy restrooms are located on the ground floor, 1st floor, and 4th floor of Berkeley City College. All all-gender & ADA accessible restrooms are open to all on campus and do not require a key or code.

Ground Floor

There is one single-occupancy all-gender restroom located on the ground floor (atrium level). This restroom is located near the hallway that leads to our BCC Basic Needs Center, and is right past the bike rack storage area.

First Floor

The first floor all-gender restrooms are located through a door that is to the right of our Admissions and Records office. There are two single-occupancy all-gender restrooms in this area.

Fourth Floor

To access the all-gender restrooms on the fourth floor, please enter through the door that is to the right of Conference Room 451A/B. Upon entering, the restrooms are located down the hallway, in the far left corner. There are two single-occupancy all gender restrooms in this area.

Please note, these restrooms can be accessed from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

LGBTQIA+ Club

Non-discrimination Policy

The Peralta Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and access to all institutional programs and activities.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE 3410 NONDISCRIMINATION

I. Educational Programs and other Services

The District shall provide access to its services, classes and programs without regard to, national origin, religion, age, sex or gender, gender identification, race or ethnicity, color, medical condition, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or because he/she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

All classes, including credit, noncredit and not-for-credit, shall be conducted without regard to the gender of the student enrolled in the classes. As defined in the Penal Code, “gender” means sex, and includes a person’s gender identity and gender-related appearance and behavior whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth.
The District shall not prohibit any student from enrolling in any class or course on the basis of gender.
Academic staff, including but not limited to counselors, instructors and administrators shall not offer program guidance to students which differs on the basis of gender.
Insofar as practicable, the District shall offer opportunities for participation in athletics equally to male and female students.

II. Employment

The District shall provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender identification, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status.

All employment decisions, including but not limited to hiring, retention, assignment, transfer, evaluation, dismissal, compensation, and advancement for all position classifications shall be based on job-related criteria as well as be responsive to the District’s needs.
The District shall provide timely professional and staff development activities and training to promote understanding of diversity.
It is unlawful to discriminate against a person who serves in an unpaid internship or any other limited-duration program to provide unpaid work experience in the selection, termination, training, or other terms and treatment of that person on any the basis of their race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status.

Off-Campus Community Resources

BCC Wellness Center

The BCC Wellness Center offers short-term individual counseling and connects students to additional mental health resources. To make an appointment to meet with a mental health counselor, complete the referral form.

Laney College Queer Community Center (Oakland)

The QCC offers educational programs and workshops to empower students with knowledge about their rights, identities, and resources. The center also plans to organize field trips and non-academic activities to promote community and enjoyment. Additionally, it will partner with other existing campus services to provide holistic support, including counseling, healthcare, and academic assistance.

Location: Laney Student Center Building, Room 300

Pacific Center

2712 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705
(510) 548-8283
Founded in 1973, Pacific Center for Human Growth is the oldest LGBTQ center in the Bay Area, the third oldest in the nation and operates the only sliding scale mental health clinic for LGBTQ people and their families in Alameda County.

The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center

3207 Lakeshore Ave. (Entrance on Rand Ave.)
Oakland, CA 94610
510-882-2286

Dedicated to enhancing and sustaining the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, our families and allies, by providing educational, social, and health-related activities, programs and services.

Lyon Martin Community Health Services (San Francisco)

Community Clinic providing culturally responsive physical and mental health care services for queer, trans, and intersex (QTI) people.

IGLYO

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) Youth & Student Organisation is the largest LGBTQI youth and student network in the world, with over 95 members in 40+ countries.

The Trevor Project

The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.

The National Center for Transgender Equality

The nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people.

NCTE was founded in 2003 by transgender activists who recognized the urgent need for policy change to advance transgender equality. With a committed board of directors, a volunteer staff of one, and donated office space, we set out to accomplish what no one had yet done: provide a powerful transgender advocacy presence in Washington, D.C.

UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center

“The purpose of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Resource Center (LGBTQIA+ Resource Center) is to provide an open, safe, inclusive space and community that is committed to challenging sexism, cissexism/trans oppression/transmisogyny, heterosexism, monosexism, and allosexism. We recognize that this work requires a continued process of understanding and dismantling all forms of oppression.”

Stanford Queer Student Resources

Immigration Equality

Since 1994, Immigration Equality has been proud to advocate for and represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), and HIV-positive immigrants seeking safety, fair treatment, and freedom. Immigration Equality’s work impacts both the individuals we serve and the immigration system as a whole.