Pride Week
Day of Silence / Night of Noise
The Day of Silence is reserved for protesting the silence of LGBT people and their allies. Students do not speak for most of the day and wear armbands to denote their participation in the protest. They may also hand out cards (such as the one below) which describe this event.
October 9- Day of Silence
Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today.
What are you going to do to end the silence?
Learn more about the Day of Silence online at
www.dayofsilence.org |
In the evening, students gather together in a central location on campus and hold the Night of Noise - a time reserved for making noise (with voices and instruments) and breaking the silence.
Bend Your Gender
Bend Your Gender day is an opportunity to celebrate--and display--a diversity of gender presentations.
Safe Zone Training
Safe Zone Training aims to educate and prepare students to create safe places for LGBT people. A Safe Zone is a space where Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (GLBTQQ) individuals can feel comfortable and secure in being who they are. Participants receive a detailed Safe Zone manual (which includes exercizes, information, and resources) and a Safe Zone card (which can be displayed on dorm doors and other areas) which indicates that the area is safe place for LGBT individuals to talk about their gender identity or sexual orientation without fear of being criticized, judged, or ridiculed.
US meeting, t-shirt making
Students meet on Wednesday at 9 PM in the Chapel Lounge for the regular United Sexualities meeting, and also design and create t-shirts to be worn on the day of the Coming Out Vigil.
Coming Out Vigil
The purpose of National Coming Out Day is to promote honesty and openness about being a member of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally community. The vigil is held in support of LGBT people who feel unable to take their next steps out of the closet.
Gay Prom
Many LGBT students experience discrimination at their high school proms (i.e. strict "gender appropriate" attire, denial of couples' tickets, etc.) Gay Prom is an opportunity to attend a prom which is open to everyone--regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other quality.
Diversity Project
The Diversity Project is a collaborative effort among organizations representing minorities which focuses on community outreach and education. The project presents short performances (skits) highlighting minority issues (such as discrimination, harrassment, and others) in order to facilitate discussion among students and community members about these issues. Each participating organization also provides additional information about their group, mission, events (et cetera) through booths, pamphlets, and/or conversations in order to promote awareness and involvement.
Midwest BLGTA College Conference / Alphabet Soup
http://www.alphabetsoup2007.org
Note that the web address for the conference changes each year. To find updated information, enter the conference name in a search engine or try http://www.alphabetsoup----.org, replacing the four dashes with the current year.
Drag Show
Whereas biological sex is determined at birth, gender is ascribed. (We wrap newborn girls in pink blankets, and boys in blue blankets, for example.) Societal norms dictate how a person must dress, act, speak, and think according to their ascribed gender. However, very few of us--if any--are entirely feminine or masculine, because gender is fluid and can vary widely. The Drag Show provides a stage for the performance of gender--in all of its variations.
Campout / Picnic
The Campout / Picnic is a celebratation of the current year (its events, people, learning, personal growth, etc.), a time to plan for the following year, and a time to appreciate and wish well friends who are graduating.
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