LGBTQ at LCCC

According to the United States Justice Department, hate crimes against sexual orientation people have been on the rise, from 1,707 in 2021 to 1,944 in 2022. Additionally, hate crimes based on gender identity have increased from 342 to 469.

Laramie County Community College has been a stable in the community of Cheyenne since 1968 educating students with the skills they need to make it in this world. Being a part of Wyoming it cannot escape the stigma that the state was given since the death of Mathew Shepard.

It’s been 26 years since the horrors of Mathew’s murder due to the hatred of LGBTQ people in Wyoming. He was a student at the University of Wyoming where he experienced bullying due to his sexuality.

Much has changed since 1998, and society despite some serious forms of hatred toward LGBTQ people, there has been a huge wave of acceptance among the younger generation towards people of queer identities.

Laramie County Community College has been a fairly accepting community amongst the sea of red it rests in. Many students said they had a positive experience with the people in this campus, especially the teachers.

“Most fellow gay classmates I know are usually left alone.” Said Freya, a student at LCCC

“We are treated like normal people with normal needs”

Freya would go one to explain the awesome SAFE program and how she feel safe to take to her teachers for support if she needed it.

“They feel more welcome and feel more themselves!” Said Geroge Jankowski, co-advisor of SAFE.

He praises the resources LCCC has to support LCCC LGBTQ students.

“Yes, we have great resources; From SAFE, to counseling, to Wyoming Equality, and student engagement.”

“Things have been slowly getting better since I was a student.” Said George, “It is hard to say to way to make things jump.”

He continued with praises on how amazing LCCC is at treating students, and how the school was a lot better than what it was when he was a student.

Laura Hayes is the leader of the SAFE club on campus, which is known as a safe place for LGBTQ people. It was founded near the beginning of LCCC and refounded recently under the leadership of Laura.

Laura is a born defender of the small dog. She describes herself as “always sticking up for the underdog.”

She was a teacher in a fairly conservative part of Michigan filled with bible thumpers and bigotry.

In 2003, she took a day of silence in support of LGBTQ people at her school (at their request) and had some backlash from that. The preachers were reporting her to her boss and trying to get her fired. Luckily, her boss stuck up for her and allowed her to keep her job.

She explains that LCCC is one of the most accepting communities she has been at. Describes it has not having many issues of discrimination.

“I do not speak for LGBTQ people,” she says, “But the only issue I heard from students is some bullying in the dorms.”

This revelation flies into the face of the idea that LCCC has that “Wyomingite” bigotry.

There is only one problem with her club she says, “Not a lot of people show up for events.”

She describes the reason that LCCC only has students that are here for two years or less which makes it hard to have full-time dedicated students to clubs on campus.

Despite the issues with the SAFE club she had a lot of positive comments about it and its importance. She leaves us with one word of wisdom.

“Kindness costs you nothing, but it means everything to the people receiving it”

Laramie County Community College has been given a lot of praise from its students and teachers in the way they handle the safety and inclusion of LGBTQ people. This fact flies in the face of the stereotypical view people have on Wyoming college campuses.

Work Cited

Interview with Laura Hayes, leader of the SAFE club and an English Teacher at LCCC.

Interview with Freya (Redacted) A student at LCCC

Interview with George Jankowski, Student specialist, and co-advisor to SAFE

“Facts and Statistics” The United States Justice Department Hate Crimes | United States Department of Justice | Hate Crimes | Facts and Statistics