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April 9-16, 2006: Volume I, Issue 25

News and Announcements

• LGBT Awareness Month Calendar
  Look out around campus for our new full-color LGBT Awareness month calendar! Copies are available as a .pdf file. E-mail Khristian Kemp-DeLisser to get a copy of your own!
• Terry Tafoya
  LGBT Concerns will sponsor a carpool or van to see Terry Tafoya at ISU. Please contact Khristian Kemp-DeLisser to express your interest in attending or if you have any questions. On April 13, Terry Tafoya is a gay native American story teller who will be delivering a lecture at 7:00 pm, Circus Room, Bone Student Center, Illinois State University. Dr Toya has over 20 years of University-level teaching experience, including his work with the National Bilingual Training and Resource Center. He has worked with Mental Health, Human Sexuality, AIDS/HIV, Substance Abuse Prevention, and Bilingual Education in his work as a trainer and educator.
• Participate in the LGBTA Recognition/Awards Ceremony
  The Office for LGBT Concerns will host it's first ever Recognition and Awards ceremony to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally (LGBTA) students, staff and faculty. Allies are welcome to participate. The program will feature a hors d'oeuvres, slide show, a keynote speech, and the bestowing of awards for LGBTA undergraduates, staff and faculty. There will also be a procession of graduating LGBTA seniors, who will each receive a certificate of achievement. The Ceremony will be at 6:00 pm Monday, May 1 in Illini Union, Room 314.
  
  All undergraduate and graduate students graduating in December '05, or May '06, can participate in the procession. If you are a LGBTA graduating senior or grad student who would like to receive a certificate of achievement, send an e-mail to Khristian Kemp-DeLisser. Be sure to include the following info: your name as you would like it to appear on a certificate, the name of your college and major, and the type of degree you will be receiving (B.A., B.S., MA, etc). Rainbow tassels are also available. Let the office know if you would like to receive a rainbow tassel for only $5, which can be worn on your mortar board at graduation.
• The Doctor Is In!
  Rene Monteagudo, Ph.D., staff at the Counseling Center, is offering free, confidential consultation time during which students can come to the LGBT Concerns Office to discuss issues that they would like advice on. Rene will be available every Monday, 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Walk-ins are welcome.
• What Color is Your Parachute?
  Career Services resume reviewers are available to help you, 3:00 - 5:00 pm every Tuesday at the Office for LGBT Concerns! Come get tips on how to make your resume sing and Come reflect on your career goals and the best presentation for your experiences and studies. Career and job search literature is also available in our resource library.

Upcoming Events

If your campus group has an event you would like featured in "Upcoming Events," please e-mail Khristian.

Tuesday, April 11

• Workshop: What You Need To Know About Alcohol and Other Drugs Abuse in the LGBT Community
  7:00 pm, Illini Room 215
  An interactive workshop for men. What are the common consequences of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use on men, and how can we promote better decision-making around AOD use? Let's have a frank discussion about student AOD use in a safe atmosphere, addressing specific AOD concerns within the gay community. This presentation will be interactive and student-focused, allowing for students to ask questions about what they are interested in knowing. Sponsored by the Office for LGBT Concerns.
• Gaynormous Dance sponsored by Q of Allen Hall
  9:15 pm, FAR
  Q, the LGBTSA student organization of Allen Hall is on tour throughout April. Join them for free food, conversation, fun games, dances, and arts and crafts.

Wednesday, April 12 - 22

• Angels in America Part I: Millennium Approaches
  8:00 pm, Parkland College Theatre, 2400 W. Bradley
  For reservations call 351-2528 or visit the Parkland College Theatre.

Thursday, April 13

• Terry Tafoya Lecture
  7:00 pm, Circus Room, Bone Student Center, Illinois State University
  LGBT Concerns will sponsor a van or carpool to see Terry Tofoya at ISU. Please contact Khristian Kemp-DeLisser to express your interest in attending or if you have any questions. With over 20 years of University level teaching experience, including his work with the National Bilingual Training and Resource Center, Dr. Tafoya has worked with Mental Health, Human Sexuality, AIDS/HIV, Substance Abuse Prevention, and Bilingual Education in his work as a trainer and educator.

Friday, April 14

• Faculty/Staff ALLY Network Training
  9:00 am - Noon, 406 Illini Union
  Join us for an interactive workshop about how you can be an ally to the LGBT community and join the UIUC Ally Network. Sponsored by the Office for LGBT Concerns; SODA Committee.
• Homophobia and Heterosexism in Communities of Color
  5:00 pm, Main Lounge, Daniels Hall
  A panel discussion. Join us for this panel discussion exploring the dynamics of heterosexism and homophobia and how racism works within and without the LGBT community. Panel members include: Geneva Abiko, Sara Clemons, Khristian Kemp-DeLisser, and Kevin Otten. Sponsored by Office for LGBT Concerns; Graduate and Professional Students of Color.

Saturday, April 15

• Faculty/Staff Reception
  5:00 - 7:00 pm, 207 W. Washington, #3, Champaign
  Curt McKay, Director of the Office for LGBT Concerns, will host a mixer for UIUC and Parkland College LGBT Faculty/Staff. Wine, cheese and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Bring along an hors d'oeuvres. Partners welcome. Come join your fellow LGBT and Ally professionals for an evening of networking and socializing. A report will be made of the results from the previous "Out On Campus" organizational meeting. Email Curt McKay to RSVP, or for more information.

Group Meetings

If your LGBT-related group or organization would like to be featured in "Group Meetings," please e-mail Khristian.

Sunday, April 9

• Ladies Loving Ladies (L³)
  7:00 - 9:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  THE NEW SEASON OF THE L-WORD IS HERE! Join L³, a social/support network for queer women, to watch the new episodes. After the show, we do a variety of activities, including playing games, watching films or having heated debates. All women are invited to come; bring your friends and ideas! For more information, contact Emily.

Monday, April 10

• Colors of PRIDE
  8:00 - 9:30 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 322 Illini Union
  Provides a safe space and friendly environment for all LGBT students of color to share, listen, discuss and express themselves. All LGBT students of color and allies are welcome! For more information, contact Victor or Paul.

Tuesday, April 11

• Among Women
  5:45 - 7:15 pm, Room 249A Student Services Building
  Among Women is an informal discussion group made up of lesbian and bisexual women students. It provides a place to meet other women who share your concerns and to form or broaden your social support network; an opportunity to decrease the alienation and isolation of being a lesbian or bisexual woman in a majority heterosexual environment; a great chance to exchange ideas, experiences, and opinions. Contact Anita for more information.
• Gaynormous Dance sponsored by Q of Allen Hall
  9:15 pm, FAR
  Q, the LGBTSA student organization of Allen Hall is on tour throughout April. Join them for free food, conversation, fun games, dances, and arts and crafts.

Wednesday, April 12

• The Gender Group
  6:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  This social/support group offers a safe space for students at all points of the gender identity spectrum to explore how we can all work together to create a trans-inclusive campus. Through educational, community-building and social activities, students will explore how gender identity impacts all of our lives, no matter what our gender identity is. Significant Others, Friends, Family, and Allies (SOFFAs) are welcome. For more information, contact kkempdel@ad.uiuc.edu.
• PRIDE
  8:00 pm, 388 Lincoln Hall
  PRIDE provides educational, social, recreational and support programs to enhance the campus climate for LGBT students. Check the PRIDE website for information on events and activities.

Thursday, April 13

• Coming Out Support Group (COSG)
  7:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  COSG is a safe place to listen, talk and learn about sexual identity and coming out issues. For more information, e-mail comingout@uiuc.edu.
• Queer Women Of Color
  9:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  The Queer Women Of Color group is for lesbian, bisexual and queer women. It offers a social/support group that provides a safe space to discuss issues that pertain to them. It meets in the Office of LGBT Concerns (323 Union) on Thursday evenings. For more information, please contact Sara Clemons.

Sunday, April 16

• Ladies Loving Ladies (L³)
  7:00 - 9:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  THE NEW SEASON OF THE L-WORD IS HERE! Join L³, a social/support network for queer women, to watch the new episodes. After the show, we do a variety of activities, including playing games, watching films or having heated debates. All women are invited to come; bring your friends and ideas! For more information, contact Emily.

Around Campus

If you know of an event sponsored by another organization or program that you would like featured in "Around Campus," please e-mail Khristian.

Monday, April 10

• Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment: Silent Witness
  10:30 am - 2:30 pm, Quad Lawn in front of English Building (608 S. Wright St., Urbana)
  We will be displaying 4 silhouettes of women figures with stories of sexual assault experiences from students on this campus. We will have volunteers there to pass out flyers with facts about the prevalence of sexual assault and what "you" can do to help. For more information, contact Kate.
• Challenging "Lady": Reclaiming Our Bodies, Defining Ourselves
  7:00 pm, South Rec Room, Allen Hall, 1005 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL
  Have you ever been told to "act like a lady?" What does that mean? How is a lady supposed to act? How are women expected to be? What does that mean about how we look at ourselves and each other? In this interactive discussion, we'll begin to look at what it means to be (a) challenging "lady". This workshop is women-only. For more information, contact Melanie at 333-3137.

Tuesday, April 11

• Un(Mask)ing the Truth: Latina and Asian American Women Dialogue About Sexual Violence through Art
  6:00 - 8:00 pm, Asian American Cultural Center, 1210 W. Nevada St., Urbana
  Sponsored by the Asian American Cultural Center, La Casa Cultural Latina, Office of Women's Programs and the Counseling Center. This workshop is for women to come together and create masks that detail their own understanding of sexual violence and how it affects women. For more information, contact Iris.

Thursday, April 13

• Dialogue on Hip-Hop, Gender and Sexual Violence
  7:00 pm, 1310 Digital Computer Lab, 1304 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
  Joan Morgan and Mark Anthony Neal, two nationally known speakers on hip-hop, pop culture, feminism, and sexual violence, will be speaking about how everything ties together. Sponsored by the Black Graduate Student Association. For more information, contact Daniel.

Out and About

If you know of an off-campus community event that you would like featured in "Out and About," please e-mail Khristian.

Sunday, April 9

• Yoga Class for Survivors of Sexual Violence
  2:00 - 3:00 pm, Living Yoga Center, 202 West Hill St., Suite 401, Champaign
  Sponsored by Rape Crisis Services and the Living Yoga Center. Deb Lister will lead this relaxing and affirming workshop on yoga for survivors of sexual violence. For more information, contact Ursula.

April 10-19

• Rape Aggression Defense Training
  Parkland College, 2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign
  The R.A.D. System is a comprehensive, women-only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and risk avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. R.A.D. is not a Martial Arts program. Trainings will be held April 10, April 12, April 17, and April 19. To register, contact Yvonne at Parkland PD or call 403-1236.

Friday, April 14

• Community Panel on Sexual Violence in the Black Community
  6:30 - 8:00 pm, Don Moyer's Boys and Girls Club, 201 E. Park Ave. (corner of Park and Second), Champaign
  Local and nationwide panelists, including Mark Anthony Neal (Duke U) and Karen Simms (Mental Health), will be speaking to problems and solutions of sexual violence in the Black community. Sponsored by Rape Crisis Services. For more information, contact Daniel or Kova.

Article(s) of Interest

Articles of interest are collected from a variety of online and electronic sources. They are intended to spark thought or general discussion about issues important to the LGBT community.

Transgender Movement Emerging from Shadows

Source: Chicago Tribune
by Bonnie Miller Rubin, Tribune staff reporter
Published on April 3, 2006

Shawn Coleman bristles when an application poses the question "male or female?" -- as if there are only two choices.

When it comes to sexual identity, the 23-year-old Shawn -- born Patricia -- sees a broad spectrum, a man-to-woman or a woman-to-man continuum with many stops along the way. Think gender without borders. He (the preferred pronoun) looks male but not completely. He is not a lesbian, a cross-dresser or contemplating a sex-change operation any time soon.

"I always knew I was different than other girls," explained Coleman. "I was never a fan of Barbie but liked playing sports with my two older brothers. People were always telling me to act more feminine -- that I should sit with my legs crossed -- but I found that stuff incredibly difficult. It wasn't the way I felt inside."

A graduate student at Iowa State University, Coleman is a transgender young adult and at the forefront of a movement that some say represents a new edge of grass-roots activism. Frequently lumped together with gays and lesbians, who have not always been welcoming, transgender people are carving a separate profile and flexing new political clout from campuses to corporations.

Transgender is an umbrella term that refers to people whose sexual identity differs from conventional expectations of what it means to be a man or a woman. It includes transsexuals, who have surgically moved from one sex to another. It includes those who have had electrolysis and take hormones. It also encompasses people like Coleman who identify and express themselves differently from the sex indicated on their birth certificates.

Because of the range of definitions and the stigma, reliable statistics are difficult to find. Pop culture has helped "trans" issues gain more visibility. Felicity Huffman's performance in "TransAmerica" grabbed the headlines -- and a "best actress" Oscar nomination -- but "Rent" and "Breakfast on Pluto" included such characters last year as well. On the Sundance Channel, a documentary series called "Transgeneration" followed four college students who morphed from one sex to the other. VH1's "Surreal Life" also features a "tranny."

The sports world, too, is seeing more fluidity. There's Terri O'Connell, a male-to-female transsexual and the only NASCAR driver to compete as both a man (T.J. Hayes) and as a woman. Canadian cyclist Kristen Worley, who also changed from male to female, currently is vying for a spot in the 2008 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee allows transsexual athletes to compete if two years has elapsed since surgery. The NCAA is studying a similar proposal.

More visibility has fostered more understanding.

"It used to be that when journalists called, the first question was about surgery," said Mara Keisling, 46, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, who was born Mark and "transitioned" six years ago. "Now reporters are acknowledging the humanity."

Illinois bars discrimination

Seven states, including Illinois, have transgender-inclusive anti-discrimination laws. Even the business world, while not exactly rolling out the welcome mat, is becoming more receptive. More than 100 major corporations -- 40 in the last year alone -- now include gender identity as part of their non-discrimination policies. That's up from eight firms just five years ago.

Gender Public Advocacy Coalition, a human-rights group, held a benefit in Chicago on Saturday, sponsored by such buttoned-down firms as IBM Corp., JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup.

"It's the next big social movement," said Riki Wilchins, GenderPAC's executive director. Wilchins compares these efforts to those waged by blacks in the 1960s, women in the '70s and gays and lesbians in the '80s.

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