Double Your Impact to the LGBTRC With Our Matching Gift!

For Sara Sperling (class of '93) and Dale Dwelle (class of '06), their UC Irvine experience helped shape a lifelong commitment to inclusion, authenticity, and community. Today, Dale builds high-performing teams across the tech industry, while Sara is a nationally recognized leader in HR — named among the most influential LGBTQ+ leaders in tech. Through their matching gift to the LGBT Resource Center (LGBTRC), they are doubling the impact of every donation, up to $5,000 — ensuring that current and future students have access to a supportive, affirming space where they can thrive. Give today and help create a campus where everyone belongs.

Dale and Sara at Facebook in 2011

 

Our Mission & History

The UC Irvine Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center (LGBTRC) provides a wide range of education and advocacy services supporting intersectional identity development. We foster community, wellness and an inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, transgender, queer, asexual, ally and questioning students, faculty, staff and the larger campus community. We strive to cultivate an atmosphere of openness, acceptance and wellbeing across campus so all our students can reach their ultimate potential.

You can make an impact this Giving Day by supporting our LGBTRC general fund or The Christien Rodriguez Memorial Endowment. Please see more information about the important initiates below.

LGBTRC General Fund

Gifts made to our LGBTRC general fund will be used for programs, workshops and keynote speakers. Here are some details about our signature programs:

Signature Programs

• 2nd Chance Prom: Hosted in fall quarter, 2nd Chance Prom invites students from UC Irvine and the surrounding college community to share a night of music, dancing, and self-expression. This event allows students to embrace and showcase their truest most authentic selves in a college setting.
• QTBIPOC Summit: Hosted in winter quarter, the QTBIPOC Summit is open to all and serves as a healing and leadership conference dedicated to uplifting queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color. Staff, guest speakers and student interns facilitate activities and discussions at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC experiences and identities. 
• Lavender Extravaganza: Hosted in Spring quarter, the Lavender Extravaganza (formerly known as Lavender Graduation) honors queer and trans academic excellence with a dinner and awards ceremony. Students can invite their loved ones to see them walk across our stage and celebrate their achievement. 

Recurring Programs

Our center hosts a plethora of programs on a weekly and monthly basis, open to all and dedicated to uplifting specific intersections of LGBTQIA+ identity. These programs include T-Time, QTBIPOC Night, Trans Day of Resilience, Asexuality, Aromantic & Bisexuality Visibility Week, Pride Week, a coming out support group and much more!

Check out our website to learn more: https://lgbtrc.uci.edu/programs-and-events/ 

The Christien Rodriguez Memorial Endowment

Christien Glitch Rodriguez was a UC Irvine student, the founder of T-Time, and a beloved community member who passed away on campus Friday, March 8th, 2013.

In his honor, the Christien Rodriguez Memorial Endowment fund provides emergency resources to students experiencing financial crises as a direct result of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or work with the LGBTQIA+ community.

All gifts to the Christien Rodriguez Memorial Endowment fund will support students who are experiencing financial crisis due to these circumstances.

If you are unable to support us financially, please share our campaign with your network or reach out to lgbtrc@uci.edu to explore other ways of working with us.

Thank You for Supporting our Rainbow of Anteaters this Giving Day!