UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During the month of November, the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity will be celebrating Transgender Awareness Month with a series of events open to the public. The month is a time to celebrate the transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse communities as well as encompassing the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which memorializes the lives of victims of transphobic violence across the globe.
Día De Los Muertos Celebration
The month-long celebration kicks off on Nov. 1 when the center will host a Día De Los Muertos Celebration. Día De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, commemorates the lives and memories of those in families or communities that have died. The center’s altar, decorated with pictures, mementos, food and decorations, will represent the memory of those lost within the LGBTQ+ community. It allows those who wish to participate to honor and remember the contributions and legacies of these individuals. Presentation of the alter will take place in 101 Boucke at 1 p.m.
Speaker and Poet Kavi Ade
On Nov. 7, Kavi Ade will speak in HUB 233 A&B at 5 p.m. Kavi Ade is a black transgender queer speaker, arts educator, and nationally recognized poet of African and Indigenous Caribbean descent. Kavi will present on the intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, mental health, domestic violence, sexual assault, and social justice — "chronicling despair, grasping at hope, and exploring the ways a body can learn to survive." The presentation will be a keynote-type presentation blended with spoken-word performance. This event is hosted in collaboration with the Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) at Penn State.
Transgender Vigil
The Pasquerilla Spiritual Center’s Worship Hall will host the center’s Transgender Vigil at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12. This event, the keystone event of the month, is intended to honor and remember those who have been killed because of anti-transgender and non-binary bigotry, hatred and violence. The vigil will remember those who have been killed in 2019 because of their perceived gender identity and/or expression. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. and a reception will follow.
Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality Mara Keisling
On Nov. 14, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality and Penn State graduate Mara Keisling will return to Happy Valley to engage in conversations around the current sate of transgender rights across the country. Keisling, whose work has been paramount to transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, will be speaking to multiple constituents across the University during the day.
More information
If you need accommodations to participate in any of these events, please contact the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity at 814-863-1248 or lgbtq@psu.edu as soon as possible.
The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs, provides a comprehensive range of education, information, and advocacy services to students, faculty, staff and alumni. The office works to create and maintain an open, safer and inclusive environment honoring gender and sexual diversity.