Join us this month as we celebrate the diversity, triumphs and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride takes place in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Manhattan. We are joining colleges and organizations around the country in this commemorative celebration to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals and their allies have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Out & Proud Panel & Social
Join us Monday, June 24th at 3pm in the Gannon Conference Center for our Out & Proud Panel and Social featuring light hors d'oeuvres, networking and an opportunity to hear from members of the LGBTQ community and allies on issues facing our community and achievements we've made.
Moderator & Panelist Bios
Layne Ingram
Layne Ingram
ModeratorLayne Ingram is a special projects coordinator in the President's Office and the head women’s basketball coach at Lansing Community College. Born and raised in Lansing, MI, Ingram attended Waverly High School and the University of Michigan before earning a master's degree from Central Michigan University.
One of his most shining moments however, is when he opened up to his community in late 2017 to announce that he was transitioning from female to male. In a story in the Lansing State Journal, Ingram emphasized the phrase, “I can only be me,” and stands true to that statement. Ingram has a true passion for breaking down barriers for youth, especially students, both academically and personally. He is on a mission to ensure that no student at Lansing Community College feels out of place, discriminated against, and that they understand that LCC is an open, welcoming environment to get a great education.
Last year, Ingram was named one of Five People to Influence the Issues in 2018 by the Lansing State Journal. In February 2018, Ingram, in a partnership with the LCC Foundation and Case Credit Union, hosted the college’s first ever Full-Court Pride event to raise awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community during the women’s and men’s basketball games. Over the past year, Ingram has started a blog entitled Life in the Wrong Layne and has done various speaking engagements to LGBTQ+ youth.
Reverend Phiwa Langeni
Reverend Phiwa Langeni
The Rev. Phiwa Langeni is the Founder/Director of Salus Center and the Pastor of Salus Center UCC. After five and a half years as an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ (UCC), Langeni has come to believe that everyone comes from somewhere unique with the diversity in experiences that span across age and various cultures.
A chronic student, Rev. Langeni has earned an Associate’s in Business in Computer Networking & Communications (2000), a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science (2004), a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in International Administration (2008), a Master of Divinity (2011), a Master of Sacred Theology (2015), and is currently a(n inactive) PhD student at Chicago Theological Seminary. Phiwa is also the solo parent of a young adult daughter, Baphiwe, who is easily their favorite person on the planet. In their free time, Langeni enjoys walking, creating and listening to music, reading, writing, traveling, laughing deeply, and making bowties and other fashion items for their small business.
Joelle (Jo) Codde
Joelle (Jo) Codde, PhD
Speaker, Advocate, and Educator - Training for the health care community.Dr. Joelle Codde, professor emeritus from the MSU College of Education, is a veteran educator with over 30 years' experience in higher education including 17 years at MSU and ten years teaching here at Lansing Community College. She’s developed a reputation for excellence and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of higher education.
Shortly after retiring, she made one of the most significant changes possible in her life – she changed genders and transitioned from male to now a female. Since completing her transition, she’s become a powerful advocate for the transgender and gender variant community, particularly in the area of healthcare. From her own experiences and those of others, she learned that medical education and training in transgender healthcare is seriously inadequate. This results in a population of patients who are vulnerable, underserved, and very often mistreated by those who they turn to for care.
Dr. Codde is a consultant in transgender healthcare and offers training and professional development programs to the healthcare community, including the MSU College of Human Medicine, numerous mid-Michigan hospitals, medical clinics, and college nursing programs. Most recently, she delivered a TEDx Talk at the MSU Wharton Center where her topic was, "The Catalysts for Change in Transgender Healthcare." And, as she will tell you, the catalysts for change are to treat every patient with Compassion, Dignity, and Respect.
DJ Fudgie
DJ Fudgie
Entrepenuer & DJAntionette King-Short aka DJ Fudgie, lives in Lansing with her beautiful wife Shalen and three amazing little humans. Olivia, Etta, and Oliver. Antionette and Shalen are foster parent's for Child and Family Charities, and were the 2nd LGBT couple in the State of Michigan to be married in 2014. She works for Spectrum Health and owns a successful DJ business. She formally served on the Michigan Pride board for 5 years and continues to serve and volunteer for Michigan's LGBTQ community.
Jess Stevens
Jess Stevens
Academic Success Coach at Lansing Community CollegeJess Stevens is an Academic Success Coach at Lansing Community College. He received an associate's degree at LCC, a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University, and is currently pursuing his MSW at Michigan State University. Jess comes from a low income household and had to learn how to navigate his education and career by trial and error. He has worked on many initiatives at different institutions to create safe spaces for LGBT individuals. He continues to work with LGBT students and provides resources to assist them with their academic success at LCC.
Brandon Lawler
Brandon Lawler
Brandon Lawler works in Lansing Community College’s Financial Aid department. From LCC they have earned a General Associate degree and a Certificate of Achievement in Sign Language Interpreting. They are pursuing their Associate in Sign Language Interpreting here at LCC as well as completing their undergraduate degree at Michigan State University. Brandon comes from a low-income background, making their educational and professional journey far from easy. They have worked on many initiatives to create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. Here at LCC, Brandon serves as a Co-Advisor to the student LBTQ+ group (SAGA) and is the Safe Zone Chairperson for PRISM (LCC’s faculty and staff LGBTQ+ group). Brandon and the Safe Zone Team provides training opportunities to the campus community to better serve LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. Brandon always looks for ways here at LCC, at MSU, and throughout the many paths of life to improve the experience of LGBTQ+ individuals. Upon completion of their undergraduate degree, they hope to become a high school teacher. Alongside their course load, they hope to change the climate surrounding LGBTQ+ youth in America’s schools. As their professional life continues to grow, Brandon hopes to one day become the Secretary of Education and make America’s schools more diverse on a national level. For now, they must start somewhere.
All Month Long
LGBTQ+ Icons Display
This awesome exhibit features 13 noteworthy LGBTQ+ Figures from past to present. Located outside the Centre for Engaged Inclusion in the Gannon Building.
Rainbow Flag Photo Fun
Take a photo by our Rainbow Flag on the 2nd floor of Gannon, post to social media using #PRIDEatLCC and score a FREE t-shirt from Student Life!
Read with Pride Display
Drop by the LCC Library to see our LGBTQ+ collection on display for check-out.
