Mission

Illini Allies’ mission is to create a safe space for LGTBQIA+ Illini student-athletes, staff, and allies to engage in conversation and share different perspectives, ultimately building a community that celebrates differences. Not only do we exist to unite with one another, but also with the community in the Champaign-Urbana area and beyond.

Goals

Illini Allies has three primary goals:

1. To establish and maintain a safe space for discussion involving topics surrounding the LGTBQIA+ experience.
2. To provide LGBTQIA+ student-athletes, DIA staff, and allies with engaging opportunities to share perspectives from their world view.
3. To build a unifying community that celebrates differences within DIA, campus, and Champaign-Urbana communities.

Student-Athlete Leadership

Advisors

Structure

Illini Allies consists of student-athlete leadership and general membership made up of Illinois student-athletes and DIA staff members both within and outside of the LGTBQIA+ community. There are also staff advisors who provide guidance and support the student-athlete leadership in their mission, vision, and upcoming events.

Event Spotlights

Illini Allies hosts a paint night using a lighthouse reference picture.  

February 2022 Pride Night at Illini Men's Gymnastics.  

Former Illini men’s gymnast Paul Ruggeri shares his coming out story as a guest speaker at an Illini Allies meeting. 

January 2020 Pride Night at Illini Women’s Basketball

2019 Champaign-Urbana Pride Parade

Contact Information

Illini Allies
Illini Allies is a student-athlete affinity group for members of the LGBTQIA+ community members and its allies to engage in conversation and share different perspectives surrounding the LGBTQIA+ experience.
Mary Long	Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Fellow Illini Allies Co-Advisor	mlong09@illinois.edu 217-300-8219
Dr. Breanna Robinson-Shamaila	Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Sport Administration, Inclusion & Student-Athlete Development Illini Allies Co-Advisor	bcrobin@illinois.edu 217-244-6471
Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC)
The GSRC is an on-campus resource center that provides support for the LGBTQI+ community through creating awareness and affirmation of the LGBTQIA+ community and through development of programs, workshops, and activities that raise awareness about LGBTQIA+ concerns and honor the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Dr. Yolanda Vivian Williams-Goliday	Director, GSRC	yvwilli2@illinois.edu
LGBT Resource Center	OIIR.Illinois.edu/LGBT-Resource-Center	lgbtrc@illinois.edu (217) 244-8863
Women's Resource Center (WRC)
WRC is an on-campus resource center that is committed to supporting and liberating women students. They strive for greater equity, retention, advancement, and empowerment of women students, staff, and faculty.
Kasey Umland	Director, WRC	umland@illinois.edu
Nora Peterson	Associate Ditector, Prevention	nepeters@illinois.edu
Minsun (MK) Kim	Advocacy & Wellness Coordinator	mk101@illinois.edu
Kara Lawrence	Advocacy & Wellness Coordinator	kl95@illinois.edu
Joan Wingo	Office Support Associate	wing@illinois.edu
Women's Resource Center	OIIR.Illinois.edu/Womens-Center	womenscenter@illinois.edu (217) 333-3137
Office of Minority Student Affairs (OMSA)
OMSA is a department within UIUC that is devoted to providing exceptional support services that enhances the academic achievement, personal development, and graduation rates of first generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented students at Illinois and in the Champaign-Urban area.
Kimberly Alexander-Brown	Executive Director, Office of Minority Student Affairs and Director of TRIO programs	kalexand@illinois.edu (217) 333-7547
Vincent Cunningham	Associate Director, TRIO Programs	vcunni1@illinois.edu
Office of Minority Student Affairs	OMSA.Illinois.edu	omsa@illinois.edu
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (OVCDEI)
OVCDEI is an office within UIUC that works to build a diverse and inclusive community that is welcoming for all. OVCDEI achieves this through leading and fostering collaborations that increase inclusivity of all areas of university life and by facilitating access to the university’s knowledge and resources to benefit local communities.
Vice Chancellor's Office Administrative Staff	Diversity.Illinois.edu	diversity@illinois.edu (217) 300-9580
Office for Access & Equity	OAE.Illinois.edu	accessandequity@illinois.edu (217) 333-0885
Title IX Office	Diversity.Illinois.edu/about/Title-iX-Office	titleixcoordinator@illinois.edu (844) 616-7978
Office of Academic Inclusive Excellence	Diversity.Illinois.edu/about/Office-of-Academice-Inclusive-Excellence	diversity@illinois.edu
Office for Business, Community & Economic Development	Diversity.Illinois.edu/about/Office-for-Business-Community-Economic-Development	bced@illinois.edu (217) 244-2907
Uniting Pride Center of Champaign County
Center of Champaign County – UP is an organization that advocates for equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in Champaign County. They support the LGBTQ+ community through supporting social groups, providing community-building events, educational workshops, local advocacy, resource referrals and more.
Nicole Frydman	Director of Operations	nicole@unitingpride.org
Uniting Pride of Champaign County	www.UnitingPride.org	info@unitingpride.org
You Can Play
The You Can Play project focuses on fostering a true sense of belonging by creating a community of allies for LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and fans. You Can Play challenges the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by developing a culture of respect in every player, coach, and fan.
Kurt Weaver	Executive Director, Operations & Programs	kurt@youcanplayproject.org (614) 507-0222
Athlete Ally
Athlete Ally is an organization that is dedicated to ending homophobia and transphobia in sport by activating the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQI+ equality.
Athlete Ally	www.AthleteAlly.org	press@athleteally.org (212) 213-1462