Gender-Inclusive Services

Gender-Affirming Resources

• Gender Inclusive Housing

  Gender inclusive housing is open to any student who would like to live with other students of differing gender identities regardless of their sex assigned-at-birth. Gender inclusive housing provides an on-campus housing option with access to a private bathroom/shower in a living unit where students of any gender expression or gender identity may voluntarily live with one another.

  There are 2 types of Gender Inclusive Housing students can opt-into based on their class status:

  • Gender Inclusive Themed Housing for First-Year Students. Learn more on the Theme Housing website.
  • Gender Inclusive Housing for Returning and Transfer Students. Learn more on the Housing Selection website.

  Want to know more?

  Contact the Office of Housing and Residential Life!

  Office of Housing and Residential Life

  83 Windham Street | Willimantic, CT 06226

  Phone: 860-465-5297

  Fax 860-465-5151

  housing@easternct.edu

• Preferred First Name Policy

  Did you know that you can use your preferred first name on different Eastern documents such as class rosters, unofficial transcripts, and your Expre$$ student ID card? Check out the
  Preferred First Name Procedure and Information page on the Office of the Registrar’s website to learn more!

  • Change of Information Form

• All Gender Restrooms

  The following restrooms are single-occupancy, and not labeled by gender. If you are aware of any inaccuracies or missing restrooms on this list, please contact the Pride Center.

  Administrative Buildings

  • Center for Community Engagement at 333 Prospect Street
    • 1st floor - 1 bathroom
    • 2nd floor - 1 bathroom
  • Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC)
    • 1st floor, hallway next to ticket booth for main stage
  • Health Services
    • Ground Floor - 2 bathrooms
    • 1st Floor - 2 bathrooms
  • Library
  • Student Center
    
    • 1st Floor - 1 bathroom
  • Science Building - Faculty/Staff Wings
    • 1st floor - 1 bathroom
    • 2nd floor - 1 bathroom
    • 3rd floor - 1 bathroom
    • 4th floor - 1 bathroom
  • Shafer Hall Cafe
  • Wood Services
    • 2nd Floor - 2 bathrooms
  • Webb Hall - Computer Lab Area
    • 4th floor - 2 bathrooms

  Residence Halls

  • All lobby bathrooms
  • First Year Halls
    • Burnap Hall
    • Burr Hall
    • Constitution Hall
    • Crandall Hall
    • Mead Hall
    • Winthrop Hall
  • Upper Level Students
    • High Rise Apartments
    • Laurel Hall
    • Niejadlik Hall
    • Noble Hall
    • Nutmeg Hall
    • Occum Hall
    • Shafer Hall

• Community Circle Series

  TRANScending: Eastern's TGNC Community Circle

  This intentional gathering space has been created for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) identifying students to connect, decompress, and share resources as they engage in open conversation centered on their experiences.  

  TRANScending Fall 2025 Dates

  September 3rd, 3-4pm

  October 1st, 3-4pm

  November 5th, 3-4pm

  For the Q'ulture: Eastern's QTBIPOC Community Circle

  This intentional gathering space has been created for QLGBTQ+ students of color to connect, decompress, and share resources as they engage in open conversation centered on their experiences. 

  For the Q'ulture Fall 2025 Dates

  September 9th, 6-7pm

  October 14th, 6-7pm

  November 11th, 6-7pm

  ARO + ACE: Eastern's Aromantic + Asexual Community Circle

  This intentional gathering space has been created for aromantic and asexual identifying students to connect, decompress, and share resources as they engage in open conversation centered on their experiences. 

  ARO + ACE Fall 2025 Dates

  September 8th, 3-4pm

  October 13th, 3-4pm

  November 10th, 3-4pm

  InQueery: Eastern's Questioning & Curious Community Circle

  This Community Circle offers a supportive and private space for individuals who are questioning and/or curious about their gender identity, sexual orientation, and/or exploring the spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences. Through open dialogue, shared resources, and community connection, students can navigate their journey with affirmation and care.

  InQueery Fall 2025 Dates

  September 15th, 3-4pm

  October 20th, 3-4pm

  November 15th, 3-4pm

  
  

  For questions or more information about any of the Community Circle's please contact Pride Center Coordinator, Nicole Potestivo at pridecenter@easternct.edu.

• Open Closet

  The Pride Center Open Closet aims to provide all students at Eastern with access to free, contemporary, identity-affirming clothing. By partnering with others in the Eastern community, the Open Closet has become a community effort, to nurture and empower students to take charge of their own identity expression. The Open Closet initiative was created in 2022 by Joaquin Selmeski to provide students with free gender-affirming clothing.

  Shop the Open Closet 

  The Open Closet is a free resources that is available to all registered Eastern student's. Stop by the Pride Center during our regular office hours and if you find something you wish to take home with you please "check-out" the item(s) by completing the Open Closet Check-Out form.

  Donation Guidelines

  The Pride Center Open Closet is stocked by your generous clothing donations. Please keep the following in mind before dropping off a clothing donation to our center:

  • Clothing must be washed prior to donation and kept in a bag of some sort.  

  • Our target audience is 17-26 years old. Clothing may range from loungewear, formal pieces, and seasonal attire. Please refrain from donating clothing that is immature or sized inappropriately for a 17-year-old. 

  • Undergarments will not be accepted. 

  • Clothing with significant damage from use will not be accepted. This includes but is not limited to rips and tears, stains, missing buttons, worn out fabric, and overstretched elastic. In the event that an item of donation does not meet these guidelines we will donate them to a space that can put the garments to use or discard depending on the damage.