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Gender-Inclusive Services

At Eastern Connecitcut State University we are committed to fostering an environment that is gender-inclusive and honors each individual's gender identity and expression.

Gender-Affirming Resources

  • 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:

    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
  • 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!

  • 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
  • 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. This closed space is not open to allies and is intended only for those who identify as TGNC. This Community Circle  is facilitated by  Dr. Maeve Doyle, Associate Professor of Art History, and Brooks Scavone, Director of AccessAbility Services. 

    TRANScending Spring 2025 Dates
    Tuesday, February 4th, 3-4pm, Pride Center (STU 108G)
    Tuesday, March 4th, 3-4pm, Pride Center (STU 108G)
    Tuesday, April 1st, 3-4pm, Pride Center (STU 108G)

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

    This intentional gathering space has been created for Queer People of Color to connect, decompress, and share resources as they engage in open conversation centered on their experiences. This closed space is not open to allies and is intended only for those who identify as QTBIPOC. This Community Circle is facilitated by Eastern Alumni, Khalifa Karim. 

    For the Q'ulture Spring 2025 Dates
    Tuesday, February 11th, 5:30-6:30pm, Intercultural Center (STU 114)
    Tuesday, March 11th, 5:30-6:30pm, Intercultural Center (STU 114)
    Tuesday, April 8th, 5:30-6:30pm, Intercultural Center (STU 114)

    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. This closed space is not open to allies and is intended only for those who identify as ARO and/or ACE. This Community Circle is facilitated by Eastern Alumni, Robert Johnson and Ace Straynj.

    ARO + ACE Spring 2025 Dates
    Monday, February 24th, 3-4pm, Pride Center (STU 108G)
    Monday, March 24th, 3-4pm, Pride Center (STU 108G)
    Monday, April 28th, 3-4pm, Pride Center (STU 108G)

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

  • 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.