T*Camp and Asterisk Trans* Conference serve campus transgender community & allies in different ways

T*Camp - InterCampus Trans* Retreat by application only

Asterisk Trans* Conference - open to people of all gender identities & expressions

Two unique events serve trans* people and allies on campus in different ways this academic year. T*Camp and the Asterisk Trans* Conference both focus on gender identity and expression. However, their audiences, format, and registration differ significantly.

The 4th annual T*Camp - an intercampus retreat for transgender, genderqueer, and gender questioning college students - will be held January 9-11, 2015. College students must apply to attend the retreat by October 30th. Last year, over 100 students applied to attend and about 55 students were selected.

Held for three days at a camp facility, T*Camp creates an intentional and courageous space for participants via home groups, break-out sessions, and community-building activities  The $140 per person fee covers transportation to the camp from a southern Californian college campus; meals including Friday lunch through Sunday lunch; and cabins and other camp facilities. T*Camp is facilitated by campus LGBT center staff and T*Camp alums.

The inaugural Asterisk Trans* Conference will be held February 27-28, 2015 at UC Riverside. The conference is open to people of all gender identities and expressions. Friday's events are  free and open to the public. Saturday's events, including a keynote, lunch, workshops, and closing performance, require a $20 or $10 registration fee. Currently, 12 college campuses can send unlimited participants under a Group Registration. Online registration opens in late October, and the deadline to submit a program proposal is November 15.

The Asterisk Trans* Conference is organized by Asterisk of UCR student group and the LGBT Resource Center with major support from the California Endowment. Its mission is to build community for trans* people and allies, to address trans* health and well-being, and to provide education and resources for trans* youth advocates. Anyone may register to attend.

Directory of campus LGBTQ centers launches online

The Campus LGBTQ Centers Directory launched online today, providing a new tool for finding professionally staffed campus resources in the U.S. and Canada.

According to the site, "The Campus LGBTQ Centers Directory is a project to document staffed campus resources regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. The Directory's purpose is to connect people with the offices and to further research on the state of the profession providing LGBTQ resources in higher education."

The Directory includes both a visual map and a listing with information on the center and the campus. Visitors can search by keyword, or search by criteria such as location, type of institution, public v. private, enrollment, religiously-affiliated, etc.

Inclusion in the Directory follows a standard set by the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Directors, which hosted a similar directory in the past. Campus centers or offices must be staffed by a professional staff person or graduate student who works at least 20 hours a week providing LGBTQ services. Centers staffed by volunteers or undergraduate students are not included. Some exceptions are made for small enrollment campuses at which staff provide multiple functions.

The Directory was developed with support from the Calamus Foundation, and LGBTQ centers at The Pennsylvania State University, the University of Oregon, and the University of California, Riverside.

"Penn State has some of the most progressive policies and proceeudresfor the LGBTQA community in the country," says Allison Subasic, LGBTA Student Resource Center director. "We are supported by the administration 100% and we also wrote a grant which supports this project and the LGBTQArchitect."

Nancy Jean Tubbs, director of UC Riverside's LGBT Resource Center, currently maintains the online Directory. "It's always a work in progress," she says. "New centers open every year. Unfortunately, sometimes positions are eliminated, too. But since the Consortium was founded in 1997, the list has grown from 48 centers to over 240 campuses with professional LGBTQ services."

The Directory includes a history page listing the dates in which campuses first established professional LGBTQ services. However, 11 centers' dates of origin are unknown.

Based on the current Directory, 241 campuses are served by 233 centers in the U.S. and Canada. (One center serves 7 campus in Claremont, CA and one center serves 3 campuses in Denver, CO.) 150 or 64% are stand-alone LGBTQ centers, while 14 or 6% are located within a Women's or Gender Equity Center and 61 or 26% are located within a Cross Cultural Center or Diversity Office. Another 8 centers are housed elsewhere on campus.14 centers are directed by Graduate Assistants and 4 centers are affiliated with student governments.

The current institutional profile info is below.

Institutional Type
1 (less than 1%) = Community College
5 (2%) = Bachelor's Conferring / General
24 (10%) = Bachelor's Conferring / Liberal Arts
68 (28%) = Master's Conferring
143 (59%) = PhD Conferring / Research

Affiliation
85 (35% = private
156 (65%) = public

10 (4%) are religiously-affiliated

Enrollment
37 (15%) = Under 5,000
33 (14%) = 5,000 to 10,000
70 (29%) = 10,000 to 20,000
55 (23%) = 20,000 to 30,000
25 (10%) = 30,000 to 40,000
21 (9%) = More Than 40,000

Region
55 = Great Lakes
26 = Mid-Atlantic
12 = Midwest
44 = Northeast
11 = Northwest
7 = South Central
34 = South/Southeast
52 = Southwest

California has the most centers: 29 centers serving 35 institutions.

States with no centers: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming

University of California system establishes permanent LGBT council and approves recommendations

The University of California Office of the President announced the formation of a permanent LGBT Advisory Council, as well as new support to include preferred names in student records and to mandate gender inclusive restrooms in new construction.

The actions by President Janet Napolitano follow a report from the Task Force & Implementation Team on LGBT Climate & Inclusion that included 8 recommendations regarding the collection of data on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression; name change policies in campus computer systems; gender-inclusive restroom policies and practices; support for the bisexual community; cultural competency training programs; community-based counselors; enhancement of academic initiatives on genders and sexualities; and tax equalization of domestic partner employee benefits.

The conversion of single-occupancy restrooms to gender inclusive signage has been, until the UCOP announcement, a campus-by-campus issue. Some UC campuses also have not addressed yet the need for including gender inclusive restrooms in new construction. Likewise, so far only UC Davis, UC irvine, and UC Santa Cruz have implemented preferred names in student records. A UC-wide mandate to address these issues will advance trans-inclusion for all UC students, staff, and faculty.

Members of the new LGBT Advisory Council, which met for the first time in September, include representatives from all 10 UC campuses as well as from organizations such as the Horizons Foundation, BiNet USA, the Williams Institute, and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission.

All 10 University of California campuses offer LGBT services as UC Merced adds LGBT Coordinator position

The youngest University of California campus, UC Merced, announced a new open position for Women's Program and LGBT Coordinator. All 10 UC campuses now offer professionally staffed LGBT service offices.

According to the job description, "The Coordinator will have responsibility for the programmatic development, support, service, education, and advocacy for the program areas of Women’s Programs and LGBT Initiatives."

UC Riverside was the first California campus to open a professionally staffed LGBT center in 1993. The other 8 UC campuses opened offices between 1995 and 1999. UC Merced became the newest UC campus when it opened in 2005. UC Merced joins 35 other California campuses with professional or graduate assistant-level LGBT services positions in 2014.

Learn more about the UC Merced position, including how to apply, here.

UC Merced's LGBT Initiatives-related job duties include:

• Develops resources and networks through campus/community partnerships in support of the UC Merced LGBT community. Efforts will include support, resource services, education, and advocacy to, for, and about the LGBT community. 
• Advises students on gender and sexuality concerns/services, including women's, lesbian, bi-sexual, gay, and transgender issues.  
• Develop LGBT and social justice related programs, trainings, workshops, and provide support and advocacy on issues of power, privilege, and intersecting identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, etc. and increase campus-wide dialogue and understanding on topics related to the LGBT Community.  
• Develop, a workshop/film/lecture series promoting LGBT awareness and the understanding.  
• Serve on a campus committee providing insight, feedback and recommendations to University administrators regarding the LGBT community. 
• Provide advice, mediation, and support to student organizations and student leaders. 
• Coordinate and facilitate large and small-scale annual programs, activities, workshops, mentor programs, and signature events. 
• Chair work-group and collaborate with other departments to develop and maintain Safe Zone Project. • Develops and maintains relationships with internal and external campus stakeholders critical to program success.

UC Santa Barbara is also searching for a new Director of the Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity.

Job openings roundup for June 2014

Several California campus LGBT centers are hiring professional staff. In addition to the positions below, UC Santa Barbara will be recruiting a new Director of the UCSB Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity soon. Recruitments for Cal Poly Pomona's Pride Center Coordinator and UCLA's LGBT Campus Resource Center Program Coordinator have closed already.

The Queer Resource Center of Pomona College, serving all the Claremont Colleges, is hiring a Program Coordinator. Visit the Pomona College Staff Jobs web side for more information. Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the Director, Queer Resource Center, the QRC Program Coordinator will provide support, encouragement, resources and education to meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and allied (LGBTQQIAA) students, faculty, and staff for the Claremont Colleges.  The QRC Program Coordinator will stay abreast of issues pertinent to the LGBTQQIA community and aligns QRC programming and events according to the community’s current needs. The QRC Coordinator will coordinate QRC student support programs for The Claremont Colleges including Pomona College, Claremont Graduate University, Scripps – The Women’s College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, and the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. This position will support, empower and encourage student development of QRC Student Interns and LGBTQQIA students and allies, support students doing intersectional programming, facilitate LGBTQQIA and ally student discussion groups that provide a safe space for peer support, provide support and tools for LGBTQIA and Ally students to develop skills needed to facilitate regular dialogues around LGBTQIA issues, supervise QRC Project Teams, and plan and organize around annual events such as Gaypril, Pride Month Celebration, Queer Prom, and Lavender Graduation. This position will also coordinate and plan weekly QRC staff meetings, collaborate on planning staff retreat, programming and training schedule for fall and spring semesters, coordinate weekly meetings with Director and bi-weekly meetings with Director and Graduate Assistant, and assist with the supervision of QRC Interns.

The LGBTQIA Resource Center of UC Davis is hiring an Assistant Director. The final filing date is June 23rd. This position reports to the Director of the center. Visit the UC Davis Job Listings web site for more information. Job summary:

Under general supervision of the Director, serves the entire campus community with a focus on those who are underrepresented, underserved, and marginalized. The Assistant Director will work as a part of a leadership team to oversee the daily operations of the department and services for the campus community and is independently responsible for directing the LGBTQIA Resource Center's educational programs and events on topics related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, Same Gender Loving, and Questioning people, students of color, and the many intersecting social group identities that LGBTQIA people hold. The Assistant Director oversees the development of the Peer Education Program and Queer Mentorship program as well as other key educational initiatives and collaborates with other campus departments and student organizations to meet the needs of the broader campus community.

New Consortium southwest regional representatives take office

Dr. Adriana di Bartolo and Steve Willich are the new Consortium regional representatives for the Southwest Region, which includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Nevada, and Utah.

Adriana is currently the Director of the Queer Resource Center serving the seven Claremont Colleges. Steve is the Director for GLBT Student Services at Auraria, which serves three institutions: Metropolitan State University of Denver, the Community College of Denver, and the University of Colorado, Denver. Steve is also the GLBT Knowledge Community Representative for NASPA Region IV-W.

Both Adriana and Steve believe their new Consortium positions are a way to give back to a professional organization that has supported them. Regional representatives work to ensure member and non-member institutions have access to continuing professional development, education, advocacy, and support resources.

"During my time as QRC Director, I've come to understand the importance of support, colleagueship, and friends who do LGBTQ work on college campuses," says Adriana. "In times of need, it is to those colleagues I turn to navigate difficult situations. I am grateful to be that support to others in the field."

"The Consortium and the colleagues that I have met through the organization have given me so much inspiration, advice, information, and hope as I work to support and educate the students on my campus and in my community," agrees Steve. "Serving as a Regional Representative allows me to make further connections within my region, increasing the level support for all of us." 

The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals's mission is "to critically transform higher education environments so that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni/ae have equity in every respect." Currently, over 30 college and university member institutions are located in the Southwest Region.

UC Davis launches Preferred Name system, joining 7 other California campuses

In Spring 2014, the University of California, Davis launched a Preferred Name Policy that allows students to add a preferred name using the campus online directory system. When at all possible, the preferred name is then used on campus.

According to the Trans Policy Clearinghouse, UC Davis joins 74 other campuses in the U.S. and Canada and 7 other California campuses in allowing the use of a preferred name on campus documents and records. In the UC system, they follow the example of UC Irvine and UC Santa Cruz.

In addition, UCLA is on course to use a preferred name system in Fall 2014, and UC Riverside is implementing a new preferred name policy in the next two years as the campus switches to Banner for its student information system.

The University of Vermont was a trailblazer in allowing all students to select a preferred name online when they launched their system in 2009.

Other California campuses using preferred names are Cal Tech, Cal Poly SLO, Chapman University, Stanford University, and USC.

CR80 News reported on the UC Davis preferred name policy in a recent post:

A student ID can verify an individual’s identity with a simple swipe, tap or scan, instantly tethering the person who presents the card to a user account on the backend system. But what happens when the cardholder no longer uses their legal name? 

It’s a challenge that the University of California at Davis is meeting head on by enabling students to have a non-legal name printed on their IDs. The university’s Preferred Name Program is acknowledging that an individual’s identity is just as much reflected in the moniker that they respond to as the information stored in the backend system. 

The program was instituted following requests from UC Davis students, in an attempt to better accommodate transgender and foreign students who don’t use or respond to their given name. Understandably, a legal first name may be substituted on the student ID so long as the use of a preferred name is not for the purpose of falsification. 

UC Davis acknowledges that a preferred name should be used whenever possible throughout the student’s university experience – including university records.

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Continue reading here.

UCLA hosts First Pride Admit Weekend for LGBTQ admitted students

The weekend of April 19-20, 2014, UCLA students hosted Pride Admit Weekend (PAW), the campus's first-ever LGBTQ overnight admitted student weekend for 9 students from across the country. Organizers believe it may be the first of its kind in the nation.

"UCLA offers several ethnic-specific overnight programs geared to increase yield of a diverse students, yet no specific program focused on LGBTQ student diversity," says Raja Bhattar, director of the LGBT Campus Resource Center. "In response, our students have worked to develop the first overnight program built to highlight all the resources our campus has to offer and increase LGBTQ student enrollment at UCLA in the fall."

UCLA students braved many obstacles and navigated campus to identify LGBTQ admitted students and hosted them for two days of panels, activities and even a queer short film festival in collaboration with OutFest. They aimed to demonstrate the diversity of the queer community at UCLA and all the ways they could get involved if they choose to come to campus in the Fall.

Check out UCLA students bidding farewell to PAW students… in song!

"We hope this first cohort of students will be the beginning of a year-long leadership development program and serve as a pipeline for campus-wide LGBTQ visibility and involvement," says Raja.

UCLA's Pride Admit Weekend will be an annual program in collaboration with Bruin Day, LGBTQ Student Leadership Council, The LGBT campus Resource Center, the Gender, Sexuality and Society Floor, Office of Residential Life and the VC of Student Affairs.

UCLA Daily Bruin: "UCLA students host first Pride Admit Weekend"

CSU Northridge hosts Trans Leadership Summit April 11-13, 2014

The Transgender Law Center is partnering with host CSUN to present the Transgender Leadership Summit this 11-13, 2014. New this year is a Trans People of Color Summit on Friday, and a Campus Track of programs Saturday & Sunday.

The 8th Annual Transgender Leadership Summit is a one-of-a-kind leadership conference that builds the foundation for community members to take action for transgender equality and justice through informative workshops ranging in topics from legal, health care, organizational development and much more.

The Pre-conference Institute for Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color is for Trans and Gender Non Conforming People of Color to build our awareness of the issues our communities face and discuss strategies and solutions toward building a broader movement that centers our experiences.The institute is from 9am to 4pm on Friday, April 11th. RSVP for this institute to kris@transgenderlawcenter.org

TLS Registration is online here (scroll down to the bottom for the online form). Rates are from $10 (low-income) to $50 (regular).

Visit the TLS 2014 Facebook page.

A Ride/Room Share Facebook page can be found here.

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

FRIDAY April 11, 2014Pre-Institute For Trans and GNC People of Color (9am-4pm)Gender and Name Change Clinic (11am-4pm)Film Screenings (1pm-5pm)Registration (2pm)Plenary and Opening Reception (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
SATURDAY April 12, 2014Registration (8am)Workshops and Plenary (9am-4:30pm)Evening Party – Host Committee (7pm)
SUNDAY April 13, 2014Registration (8am)Workshops and Plenary (9am-3:30pm)

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Valerie Spencer
Valerie Spencer has worked in the arena of Social Services, focusing on health disparities as it relates to Transgender persons and others within LGBT communities for over two decades (that’s 20 years folks). Over time she has worked with the federal government, health departments, universities, community groups, conferences and community based organizations around the country ranging from capacity building training, national advocacy consultation, and of course those key note addresses she is famous for. The directive she gives herself is simple, to make the complex comprehensive. Valerie has even dipped into artistic endeavors by co-staring in the 2004 V-Day production of, “The Vagina Monologues”, featuring an ensemble cast of all Trans-Women cast and the documentary, “Beautiful Daughters”, which aired on LOGO and Showtime networks. In 2011 Christopher Street West (CSW) – LA Gay Pride honored Valerie with the prestigious Berman Shaffer award, given for her years of community service in progressive action. In this same year the California Legislative LGBT caucus conferred upon her a state resolution recognizing her as a statewide and national leader in the movement for LGBT political and social freedoms. Currently she is pursuing her Masters degree in Social work at California State University Long Beach.

Pat Cordova-Goff
Pat is a  17-year-old senior at Azusa High School. Identifying with the Queer community at the start of her high school career, she gladly began my journey as an activist. Living in a religiously-influenced town, this was not the easiest, especially following her coming out as transgender. Nevertheless, she was taught to walk with her head high and has a jump in her step. Being elected as ASB President, running for Homecoming Queen, and making the Varsity softball team, she intends to continue to live her life, happily, respecting her identity. With that, she will also continue to advocate and work for Queer community to ensure every person is able to experience true happiness, acceptance, and peace themselves, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Jay Toole aka Super Butch
Born in 1948, Jay Toole grew up in an Irish Catholic home in the South Bronx during the 1950’s. At the age of 13, Jay returned home with the classic butch haircut of the day, a flat top. Her father threw her out immediately, with no one and nowhere to turn. For the next 8 years she lived on a park bench in Washington Square Park, a unique viewing perspective for the evolution of the 1960’s in the West Village. Ultimately she did not get off the streets or have an apartment to call her own until November 2000. She spent the five years prior navigating the NYC homeless shelter system. During her time on the streets she was arrested for crimes such as sleeping on a subway bench, sexual deviancy resulting from not wearing 3 articles of women’s clothing and much more. Jay was also beaten and abused by the NYPD regularly; she has visible scars on her leg to this day. She became addicted to drugs and alcohol as the only coping method available. Jay identifies the one reason she made her way out of the shelter system being the assistance of a few supportive queer individuals from the outside.
It’s precisely this kind of hands-on support that led Jay in 2002 to become a Co-Founder and the Shelter Director at Queers for Economic Justice (QEJ), a progressive non-profit org. committed to promoting economic justice in a context of sexual and gender liberation. From 2002-2012 Jay spearheaded movements at QEJ, which resulted in 2 written policy changes at the Dept. of Homeless Services (DHS) and the City of New York. In January of 2006 transgender folks were ensured the right to self determine which side (male/female) of the shelter system to enter. In 2007 a policy was created for homeless queer families to be housed and sheltered together. These policies continue to be honored today. Because of Jay’s work QEJ became the first and only LGBTQ organization to facilitate support groups for queer individuals inside the shelter system. Doors are open in these support groups regardless of gender identity, legal or immigration issues, mental or physical health needs, or substance abuse.
Jay began a new chapter in 2012, moving forward with her long time dream of Jay’s House. Currently she is working alongside her team to create the very first LGBTQ adult shelter in the country. Jay’s House will bring together a resource center, support and services, housing, follow up care, skill shares, mentorships and hold hands as people move through difficult systems, such as health care.

CSU San Marcos LGBTQA Pride Center moves into new space

The CSU San Marcos LGBTQA Pride Center.

The CSU San Marcos LGBTQA Pride Center has moved into a new 1546 square foot space. Part of the new University Student Union building, the center now includes a study room with computers, refrigerator and microwave; an office for counseling & HIV testing; a Director's office; and a storage room.

The LGBTQA Pride Center was founded in 2007 by Associated Students, Inc. (ASI). The center is overseen by Robert Aiello-Hauser, ASI Community Centers Director.

UC San Diego LGBT Resource Center models Intergenerational Dialogues

Who are the elders in our communities that have challenged gender and sexual normativity?  What are the experiences of our queer youth?  What does it mean to be in the middle age and part of the LGBT community?

UC San Diego's LGBT Resource Center launched a new program to encourage mentoring across generations. Histories, stories, and common experiences are shared over lunch, with such conversation starters as:

• What is the most meaningful queer/LGBT moment for you in history to date?
• Who was the first person you shared your gender identity and /or sexual orientation with
• What has been the biggest difference you have seen since starting to understand queer and LGBT issues?
• What do you think the future of the queer/LGBT movement is?
• How did you understand queerness/difference in your early years?
• What words and phrases were most commonly used to support the community?  To disparage the community?

The program includes pre- and post-experience assessments. Learning outcomes are that at the end of the dialogues, participants will be able to:

1. Identify mutual areas of shared experiences around queer and LGBT identity across generations
2. Understand unique experiences of differing generations of queer and LGBT identified people
3. Name key practices and politics relating to a specific generation of queer and LGBT people
4. Recognize definitions of variant genders and sexualities across generational years

Learn more details about this program on the LGBTQArchitect website, under "Intergenerational Dialogues." UCSD plans to report back data from the program this summer, and invites other campuses to adopt and modify the model to meet the needs of their community.

San Diego State University continues 9 years of the Queer People of Color Conference

Download the QPOC Conference 2014 flyer.

The 9th Annual Queer People of Color Conference will be hosted by San Diego State University this May 2-3, 2014. The theme is "(In)Visible: Our Story, Life, and Future."

Visit the web site at http://qpocc.sdsu.edu/

This is a FREE conference. However, you must register online because space is limited. The Call for Programs is also open online, with a deadline to submit a proposal by March 9, 2014.

Here's more about the history of QPOCC, which began as a leadership summit hosted by UC Berkeley:

9th Annual Queer People of Color Conference
San Diego State University, 2014
"(In)Visible: Our Story, Life, and Future."

8th Annual Queer People of Color Conference
CSU Fullerton, 2013
“To Exist is to Resist: Empowering our Roots through Activism, Community, and Intersectionality"

7th Annual Queer People of Color Conference
CSU Northridge, 2012
“Fourway: Intersections of Race, Class, Gender and Sex[uality]”

6th Annual Queer People of Color Conference
UC Riverside, 2011
“Decolonize Your Mind”

5th Annual Queer People of Color Conference
San Diego State University, 2010
“Building Visibility through our Traditions, Active Leadership, and Pride”

4th Annual Queer People of Color Conference
UC Davis, 2009
“Building Communities Through Art, Action, and Resistance”

1st - 3rd Annual Queer People of Color Conferences

The 1st - 3rd Annual Queer People of Color Conferences all took place at UC Berkeley. Each year it was hosted by different organizations with the theme of the conference changing as well.

The 1st Annual QPOC Conference focused on "Exposing Our Institutionalizations and Challenging Tokenisms." The 2nd Annual QPOC Conference's theme was "At the Crossroads of Age, Race, and Sexuality." Lastly, the 3rd Annual QPOC Conference's theme was "(re)Generations of Solidarity: Shifting Lenses and Igniting Hearts."

Why was the Queer People of Color Summit started?

To honor the advances made by queer people of color amid various geopolitical, sociological, and institutional pressures that have informed our individual consciousnesses and the structures of our supporting organizations.

The Queer People of Color Leadership Summit aspired to provide an arena for QPOC, our organizations, and those invested in our development and proliferation to reignite the dialogues of what a QPOC identity means, what Queer People of Color represent, and how Queer People of Color can strategize more effectively.

What can QPOC gain from coming to the summits and conferences?

By contesting notions of a singular QPOC identity, participants can expect to explore new methods of negotiating challenges that relate to our varied experiences. While the organizing committee of the past and current summits/conference has extended welcome to all, it hopes participants approach the summit as an opportunity—not only for those who can rely on their privileges (as varied as they are) as assurance of their agency.

Who were/are responsible for creating the summit?

The first QPOC Leadership Summit, which took place on April 29, 2006, sprung out of the collaborative efforts and initial conversations between QPOC at SFSU and YQUE at UCB.  La Familia at UCD would also become involved in the planning process and sponsorship of the summit. SFSU had hoped to host the summit. However  they  were unable to secure a location on campus so UCB offered to host.

The overall goal was to unite the local queer of color orgs/leaders--which is why it was structured in the form of a summit, as opposed to a conference.

What did the agenda look like in terms of guest speakers, entertainment, and workshops?

Celia Herrera Rodriguez (keynote), Dalit Baum (keynote), Coral Lopez (unable to attend), and performances by Chueh Jun-Fung & other local artists.

What was discussed in the past workshops?

Identity Politics, Institutions and Institutionalizations, Strategic Networking and Organizing and much more.

~Q&A from UC Berkeley Contacts

BlaqOUT Conference now accepting applications & workshop proposals

Sy Simms & Toi Thibodeaux serve on the BlaqOUR planning committee.

The UCR LGBT Resource Center announces the Inaugural BlaqOUT Conference on April 18-19, 2014 @ University of California, Riverside.

We cordially invite all folks who self identify as Black/African American or of African Descent and as Same Gender Loving, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning or somewhere on the LGBT Spectrum to apply to attend.

If you are an ally to our communities, we encourage you to attend the QPOC Conference on May 2-3, 2014 at San Diego State University. The QPOC Conference is open to all individuals. (qpocc.sdsu.edu)

Through the BlaqOUT Conference, we hope to create safe and courageous spaces that foster the discussion of issues relevant to those who self identify as Black/African American or of African Communities on the LGBTQ Spectrum. Various Workshops, keynotes, and activities will be designed to unite our community and equip us with the resources necessary to face issues that affect us as marginalized individuals.

To submit a program proposal, click here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TYN7S9W

All Program Proposals must be in by Friday, February 28, 2014. You will be notified by email if your program has been accepted by March 14, 2014. Your registration payment will be due by April 4, 2014. All presenters, including co-presenters, must also apply to attend BlaqOUT and self identify as Black/African American or of African Decent and on the LGBT Spectrum.

The application is now open; click here to apply by April 1^st, 2014:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TY69YD3

Once you have been selected for the BlaqOUT Conference you have until April 4, 2014 to pay registration fees or your spot will be given to another individual. Registration is $20 with a T-Shirt included in the registration fee. If you do not want a T-Shirt, Reduced Registration is $10.

Questions? Email blaqoutucr@gmail.com or LGBT Resource Center Program Coordinator Toi Thibodeaux at toi.thibodeaux@ucr.edu or 951-827-2267.

Visit http://blaqoutucr.blogspot.com/

UC Santa Cruz Trans* Community Voices and Advocacy

City On a Hill Press spotlights the UCSC campus community, including current advocacy for gender-inclusive resources and policies, with the article "Transitions: Voices of the Trans Community." [by Joel Escobedo 1/31/14] Projects include the Free to Pee Campaign and access to health care.

Illustration by Marin Slobody

UC Davis updates center name to LGBTQIA Resource Center

Interim Director Elizabeth Coté stands outside the center now sporting new signage.

This academic year, UC Davis updated the center's name to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Resource Center. 

"While some similar centers have chosen to take on a name that serves as an umbrella (i.e. Pride Center, Equity Center)," says center interim director Elizabeth Coté, "our new name provides the opportunity to educate around each of these historically underrepresented groups every time the Center’s name is introduced."

The 2011 Consortium Directors Survey documents the following center names* (N=136):

9 = GLBT in office/dept. name

3 = GLBTA in office/dept. name

1 = GLBTI in office/dept. name

3 = GLBTQ in office/dept. name

11 = Gender & Sexuality in office/dept. name

3 = LBGT in office/dept. name

48 = LGBT in office/dept. name

1 = LGBTA in office/dept. name

19 = LGBTQ in office/dept. name

4 = LGBTQA in office/dept. name

5 = LGBTQIA in office/dept. name

4 = Pride in office/dept. name

3 = Queer Resource Center

1 = Q Center

1 = Rainbow Center

1 = Spectrum Center

1 = Stonewall Center

2 = part of Student Life or Student Engagement office/dept.
16 = part of Diversity/Equity/Intercultural/Multicultural/Social Justice office/dept.

*The Q may mean "queer" or "questioning"

*The A may mean "allies" or "asexual"