Welcome Back!

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GLBTA News & Events

UPDATED 2/1/10: Check out our growing lineup of spring semester events below!

Queer People of Color Initiative Planning Meeting
Thurs, Feb 11, 3:30-5:00 PM (updated)
Coffman Union 319

Join us to help conceive & plan a series of open discussions led by queer students of color focused on exploring the experiences of people of color around issues of race, class, gender and sexuality on campus. We hope to use what comes out of these discussions to build community, take action and change campus climate. At these discussions, voices of students of color will be prioritized, but everyone is welcome. Mesa Pizza and soda will be provided. Email Cortez at riley168@umn.edu for more information or to join the QPOC listserv! Find us on Facebook by searching for QPOC Initiative!

Transgender Commission Facilities/Restroom Access
Workgroup Meeting
Tues, Feb 16, 1:00-2:00 PM
Coffman Union Board Room (307)

Join the Trans Commission Facilities Workgroup for the hour just before our February full commission meeting to discuss our restroom access strategy as we prepare to meet with Facilities Management in early March to set new, more focused gender-neutral restroom priorities for the East Bank and St. Paul campuses.

Transgender Commission February Meeting
+ Gender Dialogue
Tues, Feb 16, 2:00-4:00 PM
Coffman Union Board Room (307)

Join us to help set the Trans Commission agenda for the spring semester, discuss how the commission does its work and whose voices get heard, and engage in a dialogue prompted by the results from the gender surveys we collected during Trans Day of Remembrance 2009. Snacks and beverages will be served. Everyone is welcome! Email TransCom@umn.edu for more information.

GLBT Ally Training I
Thurs, Feb 18, 5:00-8:00 PM
Comstock Hall Ballroom
(behind Coffman Union)

Ally Training I provides a space to gain knowledge and skills about gender and sexual diversity, and to ask questions and engage in conversations we don't often have the chance to explore. Participants learn about GLBTA communities, think critically about gender and sexuality, discuss language and privilege, and explore how we can be allies to each other across identities and experiences. Attendees leave the training with concrete steps they can take to help make our campus and larger communities more welcoming and affirming for everyone. These sessions are free and open to the public. Educational materials and Ally stickers/buttons will be provided, and snacks/beverages will be served. Click here to register with a UMN login; please email glbta@umn.edu to register without a UMN login or for more information.

Genderheads: Straightlaced Film + Discussion (tentative)
Mon, Feb 22, 6:00-8:30 PM
Location TBA

Genderheads is a series of informal discussions about our gendered lives: talking about how we experience gender identity, expression, oppression, joy, performance, perception, and more! On Feb 22, we will be showing the new film Straightlaced and holding a discussion afterward with free food. Sponsored by the Trans Commission, Women's Student Activist Collective and more. Full information coming soon! Contact Ross at neely010@umn.edu for direct questions.

Transgender Commission March Meeting
+ Gender Dialogue
Mon, March 8, 2:00-4:00 PM
Appleby Hall 41

Join us for our monthly full Trans Commission meeting and a gender dialogue led by former Co-Chair Karin Anderson regarding the ever-evolving vocabulary of trans discourse: the words and meanings people & communities choose to describe our gendered lives and identities. Snacks and beverages will be served. Everyone is welcome! Email TransCom@umn.edu for more information.

(Trans)Gender 101
Wed, March 10, 1:00-4:00 PM
St. Paul Student Center, Minnesota Commons Room

(Trans)Gender 101 offers an opportunity to think critically about the gendered lives we all lead, and how creating accessible environments and inclusive understandings of gender can benefit everyone. This training creates a space for participants to examine gender identity, gender expression, and our cultural notions of femininity and masculinity. Drawing on the experiences and scholarship of transgender and genderqueer communities, combined with facilitated activities and small group discussion, attendees think about gender in new ways and leave with steps they can take to help make our campus and larger communities more welcoming and affirming for everyone. Educational materials will be provided, and snacks/beverages will be served. Click here to register with a UMN login; please email glbta@umn.edu to register without a UMN login or for more information.

Txuj Ci Showcase: An Evening of Queer & Ally
Hmong Talents
Wed, March 10, 6:30-9:00 PM
Coffman Union 3rd floor, Mississippi Room

The GLBTA Programs Office and Shades of Yellow present an evening of queer and ally Hmong talents! Join us for free food, live performances, and more! Sponsored by the Queer Student Cultural Center and the Hmong Minnesota Student Association. Contact glbta@umn.edu for more information.

Genderheads: March Discussion
Tues, March 23, 12:00-1:30 PM
Coffman Union Room TBA

Genderheads is a series of informal discussions about our gendered lives: talking about how we experience gender identity, expression, oppression, joy, performance, perception -- and the intersections of gender with race, class, ability, sexuality, and all our identities. Each dialogue is led by a different facilitator and may utilize questions, texts, activities, films, art, and/or more to prompt discussion. Everyone is welcome! Sponsored by the Trans Commission, Women's Student Activist Collective and more. Full information coming soon! Contact Ross at neely010@umn.edu for direct questions.

GLBT Ally Training II - St. Paul Campus
Part 1: Tues, March 30, 1:00-2:30 PM
Part 2: Thurs, April 1, 1:00-2:30 PM
St. Paul Student Center 202 (both parts)

Ally Training II is designed for people who have attended Ally Training I and/or have been actively involved in GLBTA issues and communities. In this training, we explore the intersections of gender and sexuality with race, ethnicity, class, ability, age, faith and culture through a critical discussion of power and privilege. Participants will have a space to consider how allies can help create inclusive and accessible environments in the many positions, roles and communities where we live and work, and share specific strategies for overcoming the barriers we face when advocating for GLBT issues and interrupting oppression. Through a mix of facilitated activities, skill sharing, and small group work, attendees will increase their education and learn new advocacy tools, helping them become more effective change agents in all areas of their life. Educational materials will be provided, and snacks/beverages will be served. Click here to register with a UMN login; please email glbta@umn.edu to register without a UMN login or for more information.

GLBT Ally Training II - Minneapolis West Bank
Tues, April 13, 1:00-4:00 PM
Carlson School 1-127

Please see the Ally Training II description above. Click here to register with a UMN login; please email glbta@umn.edu to register without a UMN login or for more information.

Gender Freedom Art Showcase!
April 5 - May 6, 2010
Appleby Hall Ground Floor Display

The GLBTA Programs Office and the Transgender Commission are looking for artwork submissions that express gender freedom and GLBTA identities/experiences! As part of our Gender Freedom Day/Campaign on Wed, April 14, the GLBTA Programs Office will be displaying selected gender freedom artwork in Appleby Hall during the month of April. As a finale, the artwork will be displayed at the annual Lavender Celebration & Awards Ceremony on Thurs, May 6, in Coffman Union.

Our gallery is designed to display hanging artwork, but small sculptures or other forms of art may also be submitted. Artists are encouraged to submit a diverse range of artwork: photography, paintings, drawings/sketches, mixed media, collage art, written word, crafts, new/digital media, etc. We want anything that you feel expresses gender liberation, freedom, or revolution in some way! Deadline for submissions is Monday, March 29, 4:00 PM in 46 Appleby Hall. Please email questions and submissions to glbta@umn.edu. Submissions should include 1) photos of artwork, 2) a short artist statement, and 3) contact information. Go go gender freedom!

Gender Freedom Day
Wed, April 14, 2010
Coffman Union and Various Locations

This multi-organization and multi-event effort is currently being organized. Check back soon for more information! Contact Ross at neely010@umn.edu for direct questions.

Genderheads: April Discussion
Wed, April 14, 4:00-6:00 PM
Coffman Union Room TBA

Genderheads is a series of informal discussions about our gendered lives: talking about how we experience gender identity, expression, oppression, joy, performance, perception -- and the intersections of gender with race, class, ability, sexuality, and all our identities. Each dialogue is led by a different facilitator and may utilize questions, texts, activities, films, art, and/or more to prompt discussion. Everyone is welcome! Sponsored by the Trans Commission, Women's Student Activist Collective and more. Full information coming soon! Contact Ross at neely010@umn.edu for direct questions.

Transgender Commission April Meeting
+ Gender Dialogue
Thurs, April 15, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Coffman Union 324

Join us for our monthly full Trans Commission meeting and engage in a thought-provoking gender dialogue. Snacks and beverages will be served. Everyone is welcome! Email TransCom@umn.edu for more information.

Beyond the Boxes: Emerging Trends in
LGBTQ Mental Health Conference
Friday, March 26, 2010
Coffman Union 3rd Floor
300 Washington Ave SE, Mpls

Beyond the Boxes is a comprehensive, culturally diverse, and practical one-day conference aimed at informing & engaging mental health providers, health care professionals, educators, and the general public about mental health issues as they relate to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities. This cutting-edge conference will explore changing paradigms in research, clinical practice and our understandings of diverse sexual and gender identities through over 50 workshops and keynote speaker Kit Rachlin, Ph.D. CEUs will be available. Presented by the MN LGBT Therapists Network, the Queer Student Cultural Center, and the GLBTA Programs Office. Visit our Beyond the Boxes page for more information! Registration is now open!

Lavender Celebration & Awards Ceremony
Thurs, May 6, 4:00-6:00 PM
Coffman Union 3rd floor, Mississippi Room

Join us for the 14th annual Lavender Celebration and Awards Ceremony as we celebrate and honor the accomplishments of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally students, staff, faculty and community members across all five U of MN campuses. Free and open to the public. Appetizers and refreshments will be served. For more information, or to be honored as a graduating student, please contact Shawyn Lee at hage0523@umn.edu or 612-626-8086.

Semester-End Pizza Party
Fri, May 7, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
St. Paul Student Center 202

Take a break from finals week stress and eat some free pizza with great company! Joint venture between the Transgender Commission and the St. Paul GLBTA Lunch Group.

GLBTA Leadership Year

The GLBTA Leadership Year offers an integrated, year-long learning experience for undergraduate students. The Leadership Year is comprised of GLBT 3610 in fall semester, GLBT 3301 in spring semester, and culminates in a May term course where students travel to Chicago, New York and Washington D.C. for intensive study and dialogue with regional and national GLBTA leaders from organizations such as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Harvey Milk High School, and the National Center for Transgender Equality, among many others. Visit the GLBTA Leadership Year webpage for full information!

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Save the Date: Upcoming Events

BECAUSE 2010: Midwest Bisexuality Conference
April 16-18, 2010
Hamline University, St. Paul

2nd U of MN GLBTA Systemwide Summit
November 6-7, 2010
University of Minnesota-Morris Campus

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Community & Campus Events

Aurora Center: Men Against Gender Violence
Every Thursday at 6:00 PM (Spring 2010)
Appleby Hall 41

Speak up. Stand out. Make a difference. Join the Men Against Gender Violence Group for our weekly Thursday conversations to discuss ending men's violence against women and transforming masculinity through dialogue & education. Contact Keith at behrm003@umn.edu for more information.

WOLF: Women's Outreach and Leadership Force
Bi-Monthly Meetings in Spring 2010

Do you believe in super-sheroes? Be part of the new Women's Center student group: Women's Outreach and Leadership Force (WOLF)! WOLF is focused on developing students' leadership and campus & community outreach skills, and provides students with academic, professional, and other resources. Members will learn to be effective campus & community leaders and engage in a group community service effort once per month in addition to attending bi-monthly meetings. WOLF meetings will begin in late January with days/times to be announced. For more information, email Rachel at armst231@umn.edu.

One Voice Mixed Chorus Auditions
Feb 8-9, 2010
Unity Church Unitarian
732 Holly Ave, St Paul

YOU can become a singing member of One Voice Mixed Chorus! One Voice is the largest GLBT mixed chorus in North America, and has performed for thousands of people in the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota and beyond. One Voice is currently made up of 80 singers from ages 16–65. For our next season the exact number of openings will depend on the balance of the singers who audition. For more information, please see our Auditions page or contact One Voice at info@ovmc.org.

7th Annual Womyn Unlimited Minnesota Gala
Sat, Feb 13, 2010
Ramada Mall of America (formerly Thunderbird Hotel)
2300 E American Blvd, Bloomington, MN

Join WUMN for a very special evening of dancing, socializing and appetizers. Purchase your tickets early for the best price! This event will sell out at an attendance limit of 350 Womyn. Event Beneficiary: Safe Journey, an organization that assists battered women and children. Semi/Formal attire suggested. WUMN is a Minnesota-based non-profit grassroots philanthropic organization by, of and for a diverse community of women. WUMN is dedicated to providing and facilitating social and networking opportunities around Minnesota.

White Privilege Conference 11: Got Privilege?
April 7-10, 2010
Lacrosse Convention Center
300 Harborview Plz, Lacrosse WI

The annual White Privilege Conference (WPC) serves as a yearly forum to examine and explore difficult issues related to white privilege, white supremacy and oppression. WPC provides a forum for critical discussions about diversity, multicultural education and leadership, social justice, race/racism, sexual orientation, gender relations, religion and other systems of privilege/oppression. The conference participants and presenters include corporate and non-profit community members, students, educators, activists, musicians and artists. This conference is about critically examining the society in which we live and working to dismantle systems of power, prejudice, privilege and oppression. Registration is available online. WPC 2011 will be held in Minneapolis!

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This information is updated regularly. If you have questions, please email us or call 612-625-0537. Thank you!

Spring 2010 Trainings
RSVP for our free trainings below!

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E-Newsletter

Join our low-traffic listserv to receive the GLBTA Programs Office email newsletter and stay informed!

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We Moved!

The GLBTA Programs Office has moved to the central East Bank location of Appleby Hall in an effort to be more accessible to our communities. We are now located in Appleby ground floor rooms 46-55; see our Contact Us page for specific info. Come visit us in our new campus home!

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Announcements

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Consortium Member

The University of Minnesota GLBTA Programs Office is a proud member of the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.

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The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities was ranked one of the Top 20 LGBT-Friendly Institutions of Higher Education in the United States by the Advocate College Guide.