Transgender Week of Awareness

U of L's Office for LGBT Services and several LGBT student organizations will once again join with the surrounding Louisville community to celebrate Transgender Week of Awareness November 14-20, 2010.  The week is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and to remember those who were killed during the year because of their gender identity/expression.  Transgender Day of Remembrance is celebrated internationally on November 20 each year.

Community partners that are collaborating with U of L include Sienna, the Women's Center at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, the Transgender Education Center (TEC), and Diversity Consultants.  Student organizations such as commonGround, BlkOut, Transformations, and T2 are all planning events.

The university has made great strides in the last few years in creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for all people regardless of gender identity or expression.  A nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity, more gender neutral restrooms, nationally-recognized transgender keynote speakers, and two active organizations for trans students are just a few of the milestones from the last few years.  Join us for this important celebration!

Activities planned include:

Sunday, November 14
7:00 p.m. (- 9:00 p.m.)
The Intersection, U of L's Red Barn
Heart Circle
--an informal discussion of transgender experiences and issues, ranging from personal to political; a chance to "talk from the heart" as and with transgender friends and neighbors.
Sponsored by TEC
 
Tuesday, November 16
12:30 p.m. (- 1:30 p.m.)
Women's Center, LPTS
Welcoming My Neighbor -- Transgender 101
--an informal lunch-hour forum focused on building alliances between transgender and non-transgender through the medium of the community of faith
Sponsored by the Women's Center at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, More Light at LPTS

7:00 p.m.
Room 201, Miller Information Technology Center, U of L
commonGround's Transgender Awareness Night
--Speak outs and personal stories from transgender activists who are also students at U of L
Sponsored by commonGround 

 
Wednesday, November 17
7:00 p.m. (- 9:00 p.m.)
Chao Auditorium, Ekstrom Library, U of L
Film and Discussion: Soldier Girl
--The story of Calpernia Addams and the tragedy that made her one of the most well-known transgender people in the country
Sponsored by T2

 
Thursday, November 18
12:00 p.m. (- 1:00 p.m.)
Entrance to Student Activities Center, U of L campus
TransAwareness in Action
--part performance art, part activism, part education and consciousness-raising, this event aims to dramatize, concretize and personalize the human dimension of trans-phobic violence
Sponsored by the U of L Office for LGBT Services

 
Thursday, November 18
5:30 p.m. (- 7:00 p.m.)
Campus Health Services, U of L
Trans Health Discussion
--a presentation on women's health issues, including those of special interest to transwomen
Sponsored by the U of L Office for LGBT Services

  
Friday, November 19
7:00 p.m. (-9:00 p.m.)
Multipurpose Room, Second Floork Student Activities Center, U of L
Night of the Legends
--a celebration the contributions of transgender people in our community, with performances and inspirational talks all designed to honor our champions
Sponsored by Sienna and BlkOut
 
Saturday, November 20
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Metropolitan Community Church
1432 Highland Avenue, Louisville
Transgender Images
--an exhibit of photographic images reflecting the diversity and depth of the Louisville transgender community
sponsored by Diversity Consultants
 
Saturday, November 20
7:00 p.m. (- 9:00 p.m.)
Metropolitan Community Church
1432 Highland Avenue, Louisville
Transgender Day of Remembrance Community Observance
(Candlelight Memorial Service)
--a local, interfaith observance of the international Transgender Day of Remembrance, to honor and remember lives lost to trans-phobic violence during the past year and to renew commitments to peace and justice for all people
a time of community refreshment and presentation of the Butterfly Award for service to the transgender community follows the service
Sponsored by the Women's Center at LPTS