Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Rainbow Report


Rainbow Report
University of Maryland, College Park
“The unstoppable & QUEER.”

“Only by learning to live in harmony with your contradictions can you keep it all afloat.”
-Audre Lorde

Please don't forget to "like" our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/equitycenter


LGBT Equity Programs:     
* Queer Lunch!
o  Queer lunch is back! Bring your lunch this Thursday at 12:30 in the LGBT Equity Center. 
* Lavender Graduation
o   It’s that time again! This year, Lavender Graduation will take place on Saturday, May 18th from 3-5PM in the Memorial Chapel.
o   If you are a graduate, family member, or community member interested in attending RSVP here.
o   Come for the graduates, stay for the rainbow tassels J
* LGBT Equity Scholarship
o   The LGBT Equity Scholarship is an annual award presented by the LGBT Equity Center at the end of each academic year.  
o   Applications for the 2013 award are due April 1, 2013. To apply, you must submit a short statement (maximum of 2 pages, double spaced) outlining your qualifications for the scholarship.  You must also submit an unofficial transcript and at least one letter of recommendation.
o    Submit your materials to Dr. Luke Jensen, 2218 Marie Mount Hall or to lgbt@umd.edu no later than April 1.
* Rainbow Terrapin Network
o   The RTN enhances support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people, and their allies on campus. Participants receive training on how to be effective in providing support for LGBT people, an opportunity to show commitment to this vital element of diversity, connection to others who are engaged in this work, and ongoing support in standing against anti-LGBT attitudes and heterosexism.
o   You can sign up for the trainings here!
o   There are 8 trainings so find one that fits your schedule and join the Network!
* !NEW! Trans* Advocacy Trainings
o   The Equity Center is now offering at training on trans* issues and how to be a better ally and advocate for trans* communities.
o   So far there will be two this semester: Thursday, February 28th 9:30AM-12:30PM and Wednesday, April 3rd 4-7PM.
o   You can sign up for either training here.
o   This is a great opportunity to extend your training if you’ve already completed a Rainbow Terrapin Network training J
Co-Sponsored Programs:
* Safe Space
o   Wednesdays 7:30 PM in 2308 Marie Mount Hall
*  Mixed Pride: Multiracial and LGBTQ Intersectionality
o   MICA and the Black Communication Society will hold a facilitated dialogue and activity event concerning the intersectionality of LGBTQ and Multiracial/Biracial communities and identities.
o   The event will be held Wednesday, April 3rd from 5-7PM in the Grand Ballroom Lounge of the Stamp Student Union. Don’t miss it!
* “Rise Above” Request for Proposals
o   The Office of Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) seeks proposals (up to $750.00 per awardee) from the campus community for events and other endeavors that further the overall goals of the “Rise Above” campaign.
o   The campaign calls on us to "Rise Above" racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of bias and, instead, to “embrace” unity, respect, and diversity.  Through this grant program, ODI seeks to offer campus community members opportunities to engage actively around issues of diversity, culture, identity, bias, and difference.
o   Proposals will be accepted on a rolling process. Download the Request for Proposals document and template at www.diversity.umd.edu. For more information, contact Mark Brimhall-Vargas, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer, at brimhall@umd.edu or x56810.

* Debilitating Queerness: The Queer Studies Lecture Series
o   UMD’s LGBT Studies program along with American University, Georgetown University, and the George Washington University present the 6th Annual DC Queer Studies Symposium and Lecture series: Debilitating Queerness. All events are free and open to the public!
o   Jasbir Puar’s lecture, “Bodies with New Organs: Becoming Trans, Becoming Disabled” is on Friday, April 5th at 5PM in Ulrich Recital Hall.
o   Heather Love’s lecture, “’I am Here, Where Are You?’ Autism, Deviance, and the Observational Social Sciences” is on Thursday April 25th at 5:15PM in the Ulrich Recital Hall.
* The 11th Annual DC Queer Studies Symposium Registration
o   Early registration for Debilitating Queerness: The 11th Annual DC Queer Studies symposium has begun! The symposium will take place on Friday April 5, 2013
o   Online registration will be accepted until April 1.
o   The symposium is completely FREE and open to the public. It will be a daylong series of conversations in critical queer, gender, and disability studies focused on the recent turn toward questions of bodily capacity, debility, disability, precarity, and populations.
o   For more information check out the website!

Student Group Meetings:
* HAMSA
o   A group for those who want to make the Jewish community a more comfortable and accepting place for LGBTQ students. Tuesdays at 4:00PM in the LGBT Equity Center.

* Bro to Bro
o   A group for LGBTQQIA- identified men. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM at the LGBT Equity Center.
* Bisexuals at Maryland (BAM)
o   A discussion group for those who inhabit the wide expanse that lay between gay and straight. Wednesdays at 6:00 PM in the LGBT Equity Center.
* TCOM
o   A group for LGBTQQIA people of all colors. Thursdays at 5:00PM in the LGBT Equity Center.
* TransU
o   A discussion and safe space for those who identify as transgender, genderqueer, or otherwise feel restricted by conventional definitions of "man" and "woman". Thursdays at 6:00PM 2218 Marie Mount Hall
* Women2Women (W2W)
o   A discussion group for LGBTQQIA- identified women. Thursdays at 7:00 PM in the LGBT Equity Center.

Additional Announcements:
* Pride Alliance Presents: QueenEarth
o   Pride Alliance’s first event for Pride Month will be a performance by singer/songwriter, guitarist, emcee, and beatboxer, QueenEarth. Her music deals with issues of intersectionality, identity, and self-expression; don’t miss out!
o   The performance will be TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 27th at 6PM in the Grand Ballroom Lounge of the Stamp Student Union.
* Mixed Gender and Gender Inclusive Housing Info Session
o   The Department of Resident Life is offering new housing options for the 2013-2014 school year. If you are interested in pursuing either of these new options during Room Selection, you must attend one of these information sessions:
o   7PM Wednesday March 27 in 1100 Cambridge Community Center
o   12PM Monday April 1 in Jimenez Room of Stamp
o   7PM Monday, April 1 in 0200 Skinner Building
* Victory Congressional Fellowship
o   The Fellowship is open to recent graduates of all genders, orientations, abilities, races, political affiliations, academic majors and degrees (including those other than political science). Applicants must have graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program within the last three years (as of May 15).
o    year-long, full-time congressional fellowship beginning May 15, is now accepting applications through April 1.
o   The Victory Institute is excited to launch the first-ever congressional fellowship for emerging LGBTQ leaders. The program includes travel to and from Washington, D.C.; a generous stipend of $28,000 through May 14, 2014; reimbursement for health insurance of up to $400 per month; as well as paid travel and registration for the LGBT Leaders 2013 Conference in Denver this December.
o   Apply here
* Jose Antonio Vargas Event
o   In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage and Pride Month, MICA will host Jose Antonio Vargas on Tuesday, April 2nd in Hoff Theater of the Stamp Student Union at 6 PM.
o   Jose Antonio Vargas, a well-known undocumented gay Asian American journalist, is a staunch advocate for social justice issues and has risked his life in publicly calling for social change. Don’t miss him!
* Diversity Job Search and Etiquette Dinner
o   Tuesday, April 2nd at 4PM in the Colony Ballroom of the Stamp Student Union
o   This annual event is an opportunity for students and alumni to participate in an employer facilitated panel discussion on issues of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. A sit-down etiquette dinner focusing on how to present yourself in this networking environment will follow.
o   You must register to attend and registration is FREE.
* FREE Testing
o   The University Health Center will offer free rapid HIV testing with same day results  Wednesday, April 4.
o   There will be more free testing days in April and May. Check here for more information on the dates and types of testing being offered.
* Queer Monologues
o   The Queer Monologues seeks to share the experiences of UMD's LGBTQQIA community, promote awareness and inclusivity, and make University of Maryland a more welcoming environment overall through storytelling. The performances, which have reflected upon triumph and struggle, humor and heartache, reveal a diverse glimpse of what the queer community experiences.
o   This year, Queer Monologues will take place on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 7:00p.m. In the Hoff Theater of the Stamp Student Union.
o   Finally, if you would like to be more involved in The Queer Monologues, we will have TQM interest/planning meetings every Wednesday from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. in the MICA Office on the 1st Floor (with Testudo on it).
* Students for Justice in Palestine Presents: Hip-Hop artist INVINCIBLE
o   On Friday, April 19 at 6PM in the Jimenez room of the Stamp Student Union, UMD’s Students for Justice in Palestine will be hosting Detroit-based activist and hip-hop artist INVINCIBLE.
o   INVINCIBLE uses hip-hop as activism centering her content around queer and feminist issues, urban poverty, and human rights.
o   This is the last event in SJP’s 5th Annual Palestinian Solidarity Week which begins on Monday, April 15th. For more information on the week’s events visit their Facebook.
* LGBT Staff/Faculty Association Lunch @ The Dairy
o   Members of the LGBT Staff/Faculty Association will be meeting informally for lunch on the first Thursday of every month during the spring semester in the Dairy. Please join for good food and great conversation!
* Peer Leadership Council Applications
o   The Peer Leadership Council (PLC) is a trained group of undergraduate and graduate students who deliver leadership experiences to other students through a series of workshops, institutes, and conferences. PLC participation provides an opportunity to serve the campus community, apply personal leadership skills, and develop an awareness of self.
o   To apply, visit the website
* Internships with Community Access National Network
o   Community Access National Network is a non-profit that advocates for the care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C
o   CANN is launching a global anti-stigma campaign called Rise Up To HIV that promotes “No Shame About Being HIV Positive” and is looking for interns. There are also internships available for an upcoming Hepatitis C project that has just launched.
o   To learn more, get involved, or join the campaign, visit the Rise Up To HIV Facebook or Twitter.
Requirements
·      Available 15-25 hours each week for the next month
·      Skilled in using Photoshop
·      Knowledgeable with social networking sights like Twitter and Facebook
·      Contact Kevin Maloney at kevin@riseuptohiv.org
* Program Assistant for The Safe Spaces Project
o   The Safe Spaces Project supports organizations and networks that provide welcoming spaces and resources for LGBTQ youth.
o   They are looking for a part-time program assistant for their virtual team.
o   If interested, please contact Alex Carter at agcarter@safespacesproject.org with “program assistant” in the subject line.

Would you like your announcement or program to appear in Rainbow Report? The Report is typically sent out on Mondays. To ensure your announcement’s consideration for publication, submit it via this form at least one week in advance: http://lgbt.umd.edu/newsletteritem.html

Would you like the LGBT Equity Center to consider co-sponsoring one of your events by lending our name, resources, or outreach support? Please submit all co-sponsorship requests through this web form at least one week prior to requesting a decision on your co-sponsorship request. Resources are limited. http://lgbt.umd.edu/cosponsorship.html If you wish to engage in a deeper collaboration beyond event co-sponsorship, please talk and meet with us directly.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact us at 301-405-8720, by e-mail at lgbt@umd.edu, or come to our office. We are located in 2218 Marie Mount Hall.