If you’ve ever attended one of the Student Activity Board’s (SAB) Wednesday events at Lake Land College, (LLC) you have probably run into a member of LLC’s PRIDE Club. Having run for about 21 years, PRIDE club is a space offering safety, community and experience for both members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
PRIDE club offers a space where students of every identity get the chance to hang out, participate in events and learn more about themselves and others. The members participate in numerous events, being one of the main supporters of the SAB. You might have seen PRIDE club on Welcome Day, the Valentine’s Paint Party or the Death and Taxes Screening. No matter the event, if you go to the Luther Center, there is a high chance PRIDE club will be there offering support.
Being part of PRIDE club offers a lot of opportunities to engage with the community and contribute to good causes. Kimberly Hunter, one of the advisors for PRIDE club, explained to The Navigator News how in the fall, PRIDE club participated in the Champaign Urbana Pride Parade, not only going to view it, but also to participate in it alongside community organizers. They helped to co-sponsor the SAB Drag Bingo, with one of their own members being the MC for the event.
In terms of future events, PRIDE club plans to participate in the Spring Carnival, most SAB events held on Wednesdays and the National Day of Silence. PRIDE club advisor Marcy Satterwhite informed me that “PRIDE club will have an informational poster display for the National Day of Silence event in the lobby of the student services building.” The National Day of Silence is April 16, 2026.
Satterwhite offered some information on the event, “Started in the mid 90’s by two college students, Day of Silence was a nationally recognized demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies all around the country protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools. Every April, students would go through the school day without speaking, ending the day with Breaking the Silence rallies to bring attention to ways their schools and communities can become more inclusive.”
PRIDE club offers multiple ways to participate both in the open, and the background. PRIDE club has a Canvas page anyone can join if they want to be part of PRIDE club but might not feel ready to fully dip their toes yet. Kimberly Hunter said that the Canvas page “allows students to see what’s going on, get updates, even if they don’t feel like they can or they have some other obligation that keeps them from participating.”
Both advisors the Navigator spoke to expressed that the main takeaway they want someone to hear about regarding PRIDE club is the sense of community and the safe environment it fosters. Satterwhite said, “[it’s] a group of diverse individuals working to provide a safe environment for its members and to provide education to the campus community on what it is like to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Hunter said, “Having that sense of community is really important for people on their personal journey, knowing that they’re not alone. You can be yourself.”
Some members of PRIDE club shared their own experiences as well:
“They immediately made me feel included and treated me like I’ve always been there.”
“I like that PRIDE club gives me a group of other queer people on campus. Especially in a smaller and more conservative area, it’s important to be able to have these connections and feel like there’s people who have my back and understand my experiences.”
So, if you are looking for a club to join that offers community, participates in events and provides a positive environment, check out PRIDE club. As previously said, you can join the PRIDE club’s canvas page for announcements, schedules and more. Check it out on the LLC club’s website!
