Mar. 31, 2008 – Allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer movement will be celebrated at this year’s annual Awareness Campaign at the University of Utah. “ACT OUT,” the theme of this year’s Ally Week, will run March 31 through April 4. All events are free and open to the public.
Sponsored by the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center along with the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs and the student groups Queer Student Union and Queer Students of Color, “ACT OUT” celebrates the work and contributions of allies to the LGBTQ movement while breaking the silence around issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender oppression.
The week begins with Be an Ally Social on Monday, Mar. 31 from 4 to 6pm in the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs, room 318, Olpin Union. Allies will be given the opportunity to meet and learn more about the lives of queer people of color through a display of biographies such as poet and self-described “black, lesbian, mother, warrior” Audre Lorde and transgender activist Sylvia Rivera.
National Day of Silence will be observed on Friday, Apr. 4. A project of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in collaboration with the United States Student Association (USSA), National Day of Silence is a student-led day of action designed to expose the effects of anti-LGBTQ bias and violence in schools. Wearing gags or armbands, U students, faculty and staff take a day-long vow of silence to recognize and protest the continued silence forced on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally individuals every day.
Participants and friends will gather on the union plaza at 1p.m. to break the silence with music, speeches and other activities. The Queer Student Union will complete the evening at 7p.m. with “Silence is such a Drag:” a drag show complete with food, drink, raffle prizes, music and dancing. Suggested donation is $5; all proceeds to benefit the Queer Student Union.
Other events include:
Monday, Mar. 31, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Olpin Union Theater
Torch Song Trilogy: 1988 film adaptation of the Broadway play, the film chronicles a New Yorker’s search for love, respect and tradition in a world that seems not especially made for him.
Tuesday, Apr. 1, 11:30 to 12:30, Olpin Union West Ballroom
“What’s so scary about bisexuality:” Lisa Diamond, associate professor of psychology and gender studies at the U presents bisexuality research.
Wednesday, Apr. 2, 5:30pm to 8:30pm, Olpin Union Parlor B
Safe Zone Training: workshop and interactive training focused on LGBTQ history, issues and discrimination intervention.
Thursday, Apr. 3, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., OSH, Waldemer P. Read Auditorium
Panel discussion: “Minority Voices in Communication: Where Ethnicity and Queer Intersect.” Moderated by William Smith, associate professor of education, culture and society, the panel will include diverse individuals who cover the intersections of race, ethnicity and sexuality.
The LGBTQ Resource Center provides a comprehensive range of education, information, and advocacy services, and works to create and maintain an open, safe, and supportive environment for LGBTQ students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the entire campus community.
For more information visit www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt or call 801-587-7973.