Hey there, how are you? Are you getting enough sleep? Enough to eat? The semester may be ramping up, but there are still ways to build community and stay centered. Keep scrolling for ways to get involved or for spaces to just *be*. As always, feel free to stop by the LGBT Equity Center for some tea and bean-bag lounging :)
Rainbow Terps Task Force meetings start TOMORROW and LLHS applications are due this Friday!
Rainbow Terps Task Force Meeting Tomorrow! RSVP Below
This semester, we will have monthly Rainbow Terps Task Force meetings on Feb 25th, March 31st and April 28th from 10am to 11am in the LGBT Equity Center (2218 Marie Mount Hall). 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. Please fill out the RSVP form for the meeting here:https://go.umd.edu/RTTFMeetings
Lavender Leadership Honor Society Applications Now Open!
The Lavender Leadership Honor Society (LLHS) is accepting applications! The honor society celebrates and develops leadership for LGBTQ+ social justice. LLHS 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.
Queer in the Workplace
"Queer in the Workplace" will host a conversation with students to discuss coming out/gender expression/queer presentation/dress code in the workplace. While we want our students to be their full authentic selves in the workplace, we recognize that this is a privilege that many of us do not have. Therefore, we are creating a space for our students to talk through ways to navigate workplace etiquette and requirements in a way that prioritizes the students' needs and wellbeing. The event will pay particular attention to how queer and trans identities intersect with race as we navigate different kinds of workplaces (from corporate sectors to nonprofits to graduate schools). We recognize that there cannot be a set rule for everyone since we experience transphobia/homophobia/racism/xenophobia differently depending on how we are perceived; hence, this event will be an open discussion rather than a prescriptive lecture. Our goal is to empower students to make the best decisions for themselves about where they want to work, and how they want to present at work. The event will take place in the LGBT Equity Center (MMH 2218) on March 4th from 6:30pm to 8pm. Dinner will be served.
Pride Month Proposal Deadline Extended!
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! 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 March 1st at midnight. Please contact Collin Vernay for any questions you may have at cnv@umd.edu.
Queer Writing Group
Queer Writing Group is a welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ graduate students and allies to build community, engage in structured writing time, and gain peer support in accomplishing writing goals. Join us for our first meeting from 12-4pm this Saturday! Register at go.umd.edu/lgbtqwg. We will also meet March 7th, March 28th, April 4th, and April 18th.
Queer Recess This Wednesday!
Join us for Queer Recess in the LGBT Equity Center (2218 Marie Mount Hall) from 12-1:30pm every Wednesday! 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~
LGBTQ+ Students and Allies in Public Health Spring 2020 Launch Meeting
LGBTQ+ Students and Allies in Public Health will be holding their Spring 2020 Launch Meeting Thursday, February 27th from 4:00pm-5:30pm at the UMD School of Public Health, in the Friedgen Lounge (come in through the front entrance of the building and walk straight down, the lounge is to the left of the Terp statue). Membership is open to all LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students AND allies of any major. Please plan to attend the meeting if you are interested in learning more or in being a part of the organization. If you have any questions, please email LGBTQ-SAPH@umd.edu.
Apply for the Student Advisory Committee for the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Undergrads: get involved in diversity, equity & inclusion work, share what’s working (& what’s not), and help improve campus for you and other Terps! Apply for the student advisory committee for the VP for Diversity & Inclusion at ter.ps/sacvpdiby Monday, March 2nd.
Christian and Queer
Pastors share a faithful understanding of scripture that is queer affirming. This presentation is for all who want to listen and learn, whether you know nothing about the Bible, or it's sacred to you. Event will take place on March 2nd, in the Jimenez Room in STAMP. Contact lutheran@umd.edu or follow the Facebook event: shorturl.at/aitzF
LGBTQ+ Women's History Month Mixer
Calling all queer and trans women, non-binary people, and femme-of-center folks! MICA is hosting an event in the Stamp Gallery on March 10th from 6-8 PM to celebrate the LGBTQ+ women of Women's History Month. Come out for a light and fun mixer and meet others like you! Light food and drink will be provided. RSVP Link: go.umd.edu/WHMmixer
Workshop: "How do I legally change my name or gender marker?"
Identity documents are a major area of legal concern for transgender people. Different procedures and requirements for legal name changes and gender marker changes on birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and other documents vary from state to state. This workshop is designed to help you navigate the legal waters of changing your name and gender on federal and state documents. Event will take place on Tuesday, March 10th from 12:30-1:30pm in Pyon Su Room (2108). Registration opens on 3/4 on GLAO's website. Open to graduate and undergraduate students. Free light lunch served at 12:15pm for those who register by 3/9 at noon.
~Other Opportunities~
Rawlings Undergraduate Leadership Fellows Program
The Rawlings Undergraduate Leadership Fellows Program honors the legacy of Howard Peters "Pete" Rawlings, who was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing the 40th district for more than two decades. The Rawlings Program provides students the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Delegate Rawlings and develop as a champion for those marginalized in leadership and decision-making processes. Working with faculty, alumni and local leaders, students will develop the skills and resources to take on leadership roles during the program and beyond, and understand the importance of cultural pluralism and advocacy to elevate unheard voices. The Program combines mentorship, engagements with expert faculty and public leaders, and hands-on experiences working in the community to realize your commitment to develop as an ethical leader. For more information and to apply, visit: https://spp.umd.edu/rawlings Application deadline is March 27th.
Participate in a Research Study
We are seeking research participants to participate in a study regarding LGBT students of colors and on-campus mental health services. To be eligible you must: be at least 18 years old; be a student at UMD; identify as a LGBTQ+ person of color; and have ever used any type of on-campus mental health service (i.e. Counseling Center, CARE, etc.).
The study will take the form of an approximately 45-60-minute audio-recorded interview at a location and time of your choosing. Each participant will be compensated $15.00 for partaking in an interview. Your compensation will not be penalized if you feel the need to cut the interview short.
