UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs, will be celebrating Pride Month throughout April with multiple events including keynote speakers, workshops, student recognitions and virtual engagement experiences.
Although we will not be able to celebrate Pride Month in the ways we have in previous years by engaging with our Penn State communities face to face, we have adapted many of those experiences and are providing them on a variety of different virtual platforms. Many of the events are collaborations with student organizations and other Student Affairs units at Penn State. More information on these events can be found on the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity website and on our social media @PennStateLGBTQ.
PRIDE Shoutouts, all month
Various individuals and organizations representing communities across the commonwealth will take over our social media platforms and spread the much-needed positivity of Penn State PRIDE through inspirational videos. Watch our social media throughout the month for more information.
PRIDE Zumba, April 1, 5:30 p.m.
Join our office coordinator, Stephanie Whitesell, for PRIDE Zumba. Follow along at home by joining our Zoom Zumba session.
Community Hangout with CSGD, April 2, 5 p.m.
Every week, join us for a queer community conversation via Zoom. This is a weekly check-in with the center’s staff, student leaders, and you.
Loud and Queer, April 8, 5 p.m.
Join us for our Late Night “at” the Center and listen to speeches delivered by LGBTQ+ students. Get inspired by their experiences, learn about their research, and support their ideas. Zoom link for Late Night.
Student Ally Workshop, April 13, 4:30–6 p.m.
Learn more about being an active ally for the LGBTQ+ community at Penn State. Take a deeper look at terminology, history, and strategies you can take to be a better ally every day. Zoom link for Student Ally Workshop.
Pride Month Keynote Speaker: Chella Man, April 17, 4 p.m.
Chella Man is an American YouTuber, actor, model, artist, and LGBTQ activist. He is known for sharing his experiences as a transgender, deaf, genderqueer, and Jewish person of color. He came to international attention in 2019 portraying mute superhero Jericho in the second season of the DC Universe series Titans. Check out our social media @PennStateLGBTQ for the Zoom connection link.
Safer People Safer Places LGBTQ+ Foundations Workshop (Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students): April 22, 9 a.m.–11 a.m.
The Safer People Safer Places foundations workshop provides a baseline knowledge for understanding and addressing sexual and gender diversity. Through the workshop, participants discuss a variety of topics that will help them become a better ally and provide support to members of the LGBTQ+ community. After attending the Foundations workshop, participants will be able to define and describe common concepts and language relating to sexuality and gender; explore the experience of homophobia, heterosexism and genderism; and identify specific actions to create welcoming, affirming and inclusive spaces for people marginalized by their sexuality and/or gender. After completing the Foundations workshop, participants will be able to display the Safer People Safer Places decal as well as be listed on our online resource page as a network member. Register online.
Sustainable Sweeps, April 22, 5 p.m.
A live "auction" of second-hand books, movies, clothes, and other accessories. Everything is free and must go – be the first to comment to claim the item! Join us on Facebook Live @PennStateLGBTQ.
Day of Silence, April 24, all day
Join us on Social Media and Share your Day of Silence. The National Day of Silence is a day of action in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools, colleges and universities.
Founded in 1996, the Day of Silence has become the largest single student-led action towards creating safer schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. From the first-ever Day of Silence at the University of Virginia in 1996, to the organizing efforts in over 8,000 middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities across the country in 2008, its textured history reflects its diversity in both numbers and reach.
CSGD Reacts, April 29, p.m.
Tune in to our Youtube channel for the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity reactions to new LGBTQ+ music. Subscribe to Penn State CSGD or catch the link on our Facebook or Instagram @PennStateLGBTQ.
Transgender and Gender Inclusion workshop (faculty, staff, and graduate students), April 30, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
The Transgender and Gender Inclusion 101 Workshop explores basic terminology associated with the transgender and/or gender non-binary community, engages participants in a discussion around gender diversity, and highlights some of the challenges constructed by gender restrictive practices. The workshop concludes with ways to be an ally to transgender and gender non-binary community members and challenges participants to recognize ways that they can foster culture change. Zoom link for the Transgender and Gender Inclusion Workshop.
2020 Lavender Recognition and Annual LGBTQ+ Awards (date and time to be announced)
As we take pride in Penn State this, we also take pride in our students, staff and faculty. While we are supporting our communities remotely, we are still planning to honor our graduating undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and those who make a difference in our community. If you are graduating, please sign-up for Lavender Recognition and if you want to nominate someone for an annual LGBTQ+ Award, nominate them here.
The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity staff continues to provide advocacy and support along with our colleague units in Student Affairs. Please note, all individual consultations and meetings are occurring via Zoom or by phone. Please contact us between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 814-863-1248 or by e-mailing LGBTQ@psu.edu for more information and/or to schedule a call.
Looking for community connection while virtual? Please join the CSGD Community Discord. For resources that might be helpful wherever you might be located geographically right now, please visit the center's website.