Wow wow, do we have news for you! Lavender Leadership Honor Society applications are now open, Pride Month is accepting proposals, and Rainbow Terps Task Force meetings start this month! But don't forget to take some time to play at Queer Recess, starting this Wednesday :)
RSVP to the Rainbow Terps Task Force Meetings
This semester, we will have monthly Rainbow Terps Task Force meetings on Feb 25th, March 31st and April 28th from 10am to 11am. Since we are focusing on all-gender restroom advocacy this semester, we will use these meetings to discuss 1) different ways to spread awareness for all-gender restrooms in our departments, 2) how to prioritize certain high stakes buildings such as McKeldin, Hornbake, Stamp, and Edward St. Johns for restroom changes, and 3) ways to disseminate the restroom advocacy toolkit across campus so that folks can ask their own departments for changes in restroom signage.
Lavender Leadership Honor Society Applications Now Open!
The Lavender Leadership Honor Society is accepting applications! The Lavender Leadership Honor Society is an initiative of the LGBT Equity Center and advised by a student board. The honor society celebrates and develops leadership for LGBTQ+ social justice. It is open to University of Maryland, College Park undergraduate and graduate students, as well as staff, faculty, and alumni of the university. Founded in 2015, the society has been acknowledged in the Washington Post, and is believed to be the first collegiate honor society focusing on leadership for LGBTQ+ social justice.
Lavender Leadership Honor Society holds an induction ceremony every spring to honor undergrads, grad students, staff/faculty, and alumni who have been leaders within the LGBTQIA+ community on campus. Various awards are available to undergrads, grad students, staff/faculty, alumni, and friends of the university. Nominate yourself or someone else for an award or recognition. To apply and be inducted, visit: https://go.umd.edu/LLHS2020. For more information, visit: https://lgbt.umd.edu/lavender-leadership-honor-society
The ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 30th from 5-7pm in the Prince George's Room in STAMP. There will also be a premixer for inductees at 4:30pm, prior to the ceremony. The deadline to apply is Feb 28th at 5pm.
Pride Month is Accepting Proposals!
The Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA) is excited to announce the theme for Pride Month 2020 this April: Pride 2020: Year of the Politiqueer! In years prior, the focus of Pride has been on the many and varied ways LGBTQ+ people and their allies have placed pressure on the political process from its margins— and often to significant avail. Yet, increasingly, LGBTQ+ people across the country are beginning to assume a seat at the table of power: we can now count over 500 elected officials across the country who openly identify as LGBTQ+ and occupy seats of power, from entire city councils and mayorships, to state legislatures and governorships, to federal office and, yes, even a bid for the presidency. And even when not at the table ourselves, we are demanding action from our allies in powerful legislative bodies and advocating for “equal justice under law” in the Supreme Court. Undoubtedly, vast disparities in political representation remain and equality for gender and sexual minorities is today under near-constant siege. This year’s Pride asks us, how might that change were we to mobilize the political power of all LGBTQ+ and allied people in 2020 and beyond?
MICA welcomes all programs and events for Pride Month, but consistent with the theme, they are especially interested in programs that focus on LGBTQ+ representation in electoral politics, pro-LGBTQ+ policy shaping and making, and voter education, turnout, and empowerment initiatives. Interested departments or organizations may submit all programs to the call for programs and review the calendar of events before doing so, which will update in real time with each submission. For inclusion in campus-wide print calendars, submissions must be received no later than February 21st at 5:00pm. Please contact Collin Vernay for any questions you may have at cnv@umd.edu.
Queer Recess Starts This Week!
Join us for Queer Recess in the LGBT Equity Center (2218 Marie Mount Hall) from 12-1:30pm every Wednesday starting February 12th! A chance to create crafts, art, and play :)
~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, 6-7pm
For students who identify within the asexual and/or aromantic spectrum.
Bisexuals at Maryland (BAM): Tuesdays, 5-6pm
For students who identify as bisexual, pansexual, or any other non-monosexual identity.
Queerness and Disability: Tuesdays, 6-7pm
For queer individuals living with any kind of disability or impairment. You do not 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.
Women2Women: Tuesdays, 7-8pm
For women-identified people of all orientations and identities.
True Colors of Maryland (TCOM): Thursdays, 5-6pm
For students of color, of all genders and sexual orientations.
TransU: Thursdays, 6-7pm
For transgender students and students questioning their gender. Inclusive of non-binary identities.
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Other Groups on Campus
Nice Jewish Queers: every other Wednesday beginning Feb. 5th, 6-7pm
For Jewish queers. Hosted in the LGBT Equity Center.
(Re)born This Way: every other Friday beginning Jan. 31st, 3-4:30pm For queer Christians to talk about queerness and faith. Hosted in the Chapel Lounge, email Katie Evans at katieevans96@gmail.com.
Connecting Campus Queers and Allies (CCQA): every Friday, 6pm
For all LGBTQ+ community members and allies. Hosted in 2212 ESJ. Discussion topics vary (e.g., self-care and pride, identity and erasure, and queer media) and they occasionally have outside events such as queer movie nights. Discussion topics are announced through the email list. For questions or to join the email list, email Lexi (she/hers) and Grey (they/them) at theccqa@gmail.com.
~News from Campus Partners~
Apply for the MOSAIC Retreat Today!
The MOSAIC Retreat is a two-day, one-night weekend retreat focused on exploring the relationship between diversity and leadership. Interactive sessions and group discussions are designed to create an environment for individuals to examine their identity and how it influences their understanding of and approach to leadership. The MOSAIC experience will challenge, grow, and develop students!
Program Details:
The MOSAIC Diversity & Leadership Retreat will be held at YMCA Camp Letts in Edgewater, MD
A pre-retreat dinner and orientation will be held on-campus the evening of Friday, March 6, 2020.
Check in on campus will begin at 8:30 am on Saturday. Students will return to campus by 4:00 pm on Sunday.
The retreat fee is $25 which includes transportation, housing accommodations, all meals, a t-shirt and program materials. Participants’ fees can be sponsored by a campus department, office, or organization.
Calling all STEM Scholars! Lockheed Martin launched a new scholarship program in 2019 to provide opportunities to students who want to build their talents and change the world. They are continuing to award scholarships of $10,000 per student – renewable each year. The program will continue to add up to 200 new recipients each year, and will be open to individuals studying engineering or computer science that demonstrate financial need and come from underrepresented or underserved communities. UMD applicants are automatically given preference in the selection process so please consider applying!
