April 16, 2012 – During high school, Jamie Nabozny was subjected to “relentless antigay verbal and physical abuse” by fellow students, resulting in injuries so severe that he had to undergo abdominal surgery. Nabozny, with the help of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, won a Landmark Lawsuit in Federal court that established that all young people, including those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgendered, deserve a safe educational experience. He now travels the nation advocating against bullying to give voice to the millions of kids who are bullied in schools every day.
Nabozny will offer the keynote address at the University of Utah on Wednesday, April 18 at 12:00 p.m. in the Saltair Room of the Olpin Student Union building and the speech will open with a screening of “Bullied,” a documentary produced by the Southern Poverty Law Center which chronicles Nabozny’s story. The Ally Awareness Week celebration runs April 16 through 20, 2012.
Ally Week is hosted by the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center at the University of Utah. The theme this year, “Advocate, Listen, & Relate…Why?” honors the work and contributions of allies of the LGBT Movement. Ally Week events are free and open to the public and are held at the University of Utah, unless otherwise noted below:.
Monday, April 16
A screening of the documentary “Bullied” will be followed by a discussion with Jamie Nabozny and the student group “Outlaws.” Time: 12:15 p.m. to 1:30, S.J. Quinney College of Law, Sutherland Moot Courtroom, 332 South 1300 East.
A community screening of “Bullied” followed by a panel discussion about bullying and how it affects our society, moderated by Kilo Zamora, executive director, Inclusion Center. Panelists include Jamie Nabozny, anti-bullying activist; Donald Strassberg, professor, Department of Psychology, University of Utah; Kim Hackford Peer, associate director/assistant professor, Gender Studies Program, University of Utah; and Erinn Summers, senior student, Highland High School. Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Salt Lake City, Main Library Auditorium, 210 East 400 South.
Tuesday, April 17
KCPW CityViews program host, Jennifer Napier-Pearce, interviews Jamie Nabozny. Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., 88.3 FM radio.
Open Safe Zone Training for others to learn how to be an LGBTQA+ Ally. Time 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., William Browning building, room 617, 135 South 1460 East.
Wednesday, April 18
Keynote address by Jamie Nabozny proceeded by a screening of the documentary “Bullied.” Time: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Olpin Student Union building, Saltair room, 200 Central Campus Drive.
A Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum on the political aspects of bullying, moderated by radio host, Jennifer Napier-Pierce. Panelists include Jamie Nabozny, anti-bullying activist; Irene Maya Ota, diversity coordinator/instructor, University of Utah, College of Social Work; Sandra Ameel, Salt Lake City School District comprehensive guidance specialist. Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Hinckley Institute of Politics, Orson Spencer Hall, room 255, 260 Central Campus Drive. Arrive early, seating is limited.
Thursday, April 19
Ally of the Year Award presented by University of Utah students, faculty and staff to this year’s recipient, the University of Utah Alumni Association. The award honors and celebrates the work of LGBT allies. Food will be served. Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Olpin Student Union Den, 200 Central Campus Drive.
Friday, April 20
A National Day of Silence – Join University of Utah student groups and the LGBT Resource Center to observe a National Day of Silence, a project of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in association with the United States Student Association (USSA). This is a student-led day of action designed to expose the effects of anti-LGBT bias and violence in schools. Wearing gags or armbands, students, faculty, and staff will take a day-long vow of silence to recognize and protest the continued silence forced every day on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and their allies. Kathy Godwin, president of the Utah chapter of PFLG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and Irene Ota, social justice advocate, will open the event. Join the LGBT Resource center and Ally’s to break the silence at 1:00 p.m., Olpin Student Union Patio, 200 Central Campus Drive.
Silence is a Such a Drag is an event hosted by the LGBT Resource Center, Associated Students of the University of Utah, the Utah Pride Center and the University of Utah Student Wellness Center. Join in a “drag race” with music, dancing and more. Suggested donation is $3 and all proceeds will help pay for space rental. Doors open at 9:30 p.m., with the performance from 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Sugar Space, 616 Wilmington Avenue, Salt Lake City. If you are interested in performing, please contact Bri Blanchard at bblanchard@sa.utah.edu.
For more information about University of Utah Ally Awareness Week events please visit http://lgbt.utah.edu/ or call 801-587-7973.