It's Mental Health Awareness Week! There are several amazing programs happening this week geared towards LGBTQ+ students, communities of color, international students, self-care, and wellness. Visit go.umd.edu/MHAW19 for more details or see below for a quick schedule.
We have more events, opportunities to volunteer, and a new student group this week! See below for more details :)
LGBTQ+ Mental Health Awareness Week Event Tomorrow
Please join us on October 8th from 1-2:30pm in the LGBT Equity Center (2218 Marie Mount Hall) to discuss mental health and the importance of social support within our community. Pizza will be provided! Geared towards LGBTQ+ people, and to allies with a history of involvement in the community. See below for a quick schedule of this week's events:
MONDAY: MOVE FOR YOUR MOOD
Mindful Yoga 4 - 5 p.m. • McKeldin Mall
Let’s Get Physical...Fitness! 5 - 9 p.m. • ERC Fitness Studio
TUESDAY: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
LGBTQ+ Mental Health 1 - 2:30 p.m. • LGBT Equity Center
Healthy Muslim Minds 6 – 8 p.m. • ESJ 1224
WEDNESDAY
Self-Care & Communities of Color 12 - 1 p.m. • MICA Suite
THURSDAY: STAMP OUT STIGMA
Depression Screenings 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. • Stamp SORC
Terps Take Care 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Hornbake Plaza
Film Night: Happy 7 p.m. • Hoff Theater
FRIDAY: SELF-CARE CELEBRATION
Self-Care Drive-Thru 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Stamp Bus Depot
International Student Mental Health 3 - 4 p.m. • 1102 HJP
International Pronouns Day: Oct. 16th
Come join us on International Pronouns Day, October 16th from 12-1pm in the LGBT Equity Center for Pronouns and Pizza, an event where students can hang out, eat pizza, and learn more about why pronouns matter and best practices for inclusive language. Shige Sakurai (they/them), the founder of International Pronouns Day, will give an informal talk about the inception and history of this holiday. If you can't make it to the Center at that time, we will also be tabling outside of STAMP from 10am-12pm. Come by our table to grab some stickers and pronoun buttons!
Volunteer for Speakers Bureau
Do you want to educate your peers on topics important to LGBTQIA+ students? Are you interested in sharing your story to impact campus culture? Do you want to develop public speaking skills? Become a peer educator on life as an LGBTQIA+ student at UMD! You can volunteer to participate in LGBTQIA+ panels by emailing us at speakersbureau@umd.edu or reaching out to Shige Sakurai or Aqdas Aftab at the LGBT Equity Center.
New Group Alert! Queerness and Disability
This is a safe space to discuss your experience as a queer individual living with any kind of disability or impairment. You don't need to call yourself "disabled" to be welcome in this group! "Disability" could include mobility issues, cognitive/mood disorders, chronic illness, hearing/vision impairments and/or anything you label as such. This group meeting every other Wednesday from 6-7pm (Oct 9th, Oct 23rd, Nov 6th, and Nov 20th) in the LGBT Equity Center (2218 Marie Mount Hall).
Evening Groups
Discussion groups are a part of the larger LGBTQ+ student organization, Pride Alliance. All groups meet in 2218 Marie Mount Hall (LGBT Equity Center) and are open to newcomers and respectful allies.
Ace Space: Mondays, 6pm
For students who identify within the asexual and/or aromantic spectrum.
True Colors of Maryland (TCOM): Tuesdays, 7pm
For students of color, of all genders and sexual orientations.
Bisexuals at Maryland (BAM): Wednesdays, 5pm
For students who identify as bisexual, pansexual, or any other non-monosexual identity.
Women2Women: Wednesdays, 7pm
For women-identified people of all orientations and identities.
TransU: Thursdays, 5pm
For transgender students and students questioning their gender. Inclusive of non-binary identities.
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Other Groups on Campus
Connecting Campus Queers and Allies: every Friday starting 9/20; 4pm
General group for LGBTQ+ communities and allies. Hosted in the Cambridge Community Center, room 1105. Discussions are announced in the email list. Email Lexi (she/hers) and Grey (they/them) at theccqa@gmail.com for questions or to join the email list.
Nice Jewish Queers: 10/2, 10/16, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4; 6pm For Jewish queers. Hosted in the LGBT Equity Center, email Avi Alpert at aalpert@terpmail.umd.edu with questions.
(Re)born This Way: every other Friday starting 9/20; 3pm
For queer Christians to talk about queerness and faith. Hosted in the Chapel Lounge, email Katie Evans at katieevans96@gmail.com.
The Circle
The Circle is an informal, monthly gathering, that provides a space for students, faculty, and staff to share concerns and experiences of hate-bias in a supportive environment. The next meeting will take place on 10/17 in 2411 Marie Mount Hall from 12-1pm. Light refreshments are provided.
Welcome Our New Program Manager, Shantala Thompson, at Our Open House on Nov. 6th!
The LGBT Equity Center will host an Open House on November 6th, 12pm-3pm, which will be a great opportunity to meet our new Program Manager and the rest of our staff. Students, staff, and faculty are welcome to stop by and enjoy some light refreshments. At 12:30pm, Shige Sakurai will give remarks on appreciating our students workers, volunteers, and staff on their hard work and contribution to our Center. Come join us anytime between 12-3pm.
Volunteer for the 2019 International LGBTQ Leaders Conference and Get Free Registration!
Want to attend the 2019 International LGBTQ Leaders Conference for free? Consider serving as a volunteer! Volunteers that complete at least 10 hours of service earn FREE entrance to the conference. This November, 600 LGBTQ elected officials, leaders and advocates from across the world will come together for the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference in Washington, DC. The conference includes three days of networking and skills building as we strategize the year ahead in our movement for equality.
Thursday, November 14th - Saturday, November 16th, 2019 Pre-Conference Session on Wednesday, November 13th JW Marriott, Washington, DC
Last year's speakers included U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Virginia Delegate Danica Roem, and dozens of others.
