Monday, April 29, 2013

Rainbow Report


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

“I want to go down in history
in a chapter marked miscellaneous
because the writers could find
no other way to categorize me”
-Staceyann Chin

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


LGBT Equity Programs:     
* Queer Lunch!
o   Bring your lunch this Thursday at 12:30 in the LGBT Equity Center.
o   It’s like lunch in your high school cafeteria except WAY better. Come sit with the cool kids J
* 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
* 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 is ONE training left: Wednesday, May 1st 1-4PM.
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
*  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!
*  “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.

Student Group Meetings:
* Pride Prom
o   Pride Alliance will host the annual Pride Prom on May 4th from 8-11pm in the Atrium of Stamp!
o   This year’s theme is CLASSIC FORMAL so get all dapper and bring your friends! Can’t wait!
* 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.
This Week in PRIDE MONTH:

April 30
o   The Truth Behind 50 shades of Grey
·      6-7:15pm in Hoff Theater in Stamp Hosted by MICA and Health Center

May 4
o   Pride Prom
·      8-11pm in the Atrium of Stamp Hosted by Pride Alliance

Additional Announcements:
* Safer Sex Study
o   Are you a female? Are you 18-35 years old? Do you identify as lesbian or bisexual, or have you had sex with a woman in the last two years? We are looking for participants who meet the above criteria to be involved in a study of same-gender safe sex knowledge in the lesbian and bisexual community. The findings will be used to design better sexual health campaigns for lesbian and bisexual women.
o   Participation will include 1 one-hour phone or in-person interview. For more information, contact the graduate researcher of the study, Lauren Crook, at lcrook@umd.edu.

* FREE Testing
o   The University Health Center will offer free HIV testing on Wednesday, May 1 from 10-2:00pm.
o   There will be more free testing days in May. Check here for more information on the dates and types of testing being offered.
* 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
* 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.