|
November 2023 NEWSLETTER
LGBTQIA+ AWARENESS DAYS
November is Transgender Awareness Month
6 November: Transgender Parent Day
8 November: Intersex Day of Remembrance
13–19 November: Transgender Awareness Week
20 November: Transgender Day of Remembrance
Find out more about the importance of these days on our Instagram or History Month webpage.
LGBTQI LIFE EVENTS
11/3 Reunion Weekend @ KCPC
 The Office of LGBTQI Life invites all LGBTQIA+ alumni for a Reunion Celebration at the KC Potter Center from 4-5pm on Friday, November 3rd. Come see our space as we celebrate the KC Potter Center’s 15th anniversary and all of the LGBTQIA+ alumni who were a critical part of Vanderbilt’s vibrant community.
11/8 In-Person P.R.I.D.E. Training (All Welcome)
 All are invited to us for a drop-in, in-person P.R.I.D.E. Training on Wednesday, November 8th from 12-3pm in Sarratt 325/327. All participants who complete the training will receive a Safe Space placard. Email katja.tetzlaff@vanderbilt.edu if you have any questions.
11/9 My Mind & Me: A Queer Creative Writing Workshop
 All LGBTQIA+ students are invited to participate in My Mind & Me: A Queer Creative Writing Workshop on Thursday, November 9th from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at the Multicultural Community Space (MCS.) The K.C. Potter Center is proud to provide students a safe space to learn how to be a creative writing and to self-reflect on their experiences with others. Food and all supplies will be provided. No experience in writing is necessary.
11/10 Grad School Friday Fuel
 Join LGBTQI Life and the Women’s Center for Friday Fuel from 11am – 12pm on Friday, November 11th with the Graduate School for Bubble Tea and other study snacks! See you there!
11/13 Trans Day of Remembrance and Resilience
 Nashville will honor and celebrate Transgender Day of Remembrance and Resilience on Monday, November 13th at 6:30pm at Saint Elle. Find out more here.
11/14 Queer Community Dinner
 Join Lambda in having our annual Queer Community Dinner! Holiday season is soon approaching, which can be an extremely difficult time for Queer people who are returning to unsafe and unwelcoming homes. We want to provide an alternative space for community gathering at the beginning of the holiday season that is full of fun, care, support, and understanding. If “home” and the holidays has difficult connotations for you, or if you are just looking to gather with a fun group of other Queer people, come out to the KCPC for our community dinner! We will have a delicious potluck of comfort foods across cultures and will discuss how to engage in alternative, inclusive, and welcoming forms of home and family.
We will also be cooking and donating half of our potluck to Nashville LaunchPad, a Nashville based organization that provides emergency housing and services to unhoused Queer young adults. Many of these people have left their homes due to unsafe environments and feeling disconnected from those considered “family,” a situation many of us can relate to. Cook a meal, come out, and support Nashville LaunchPad!
Have a dish that reminds you of comfort and happiness? Want to be a part of our potluck? Please reach out to alyxis.l.smith@vanderbilt.edu!
This event fills up fast for be sure to RSVP!
11/16 Kitchen Safety Demo with Chef Nathaniel West
 Join us Thursday, November 16th for a Kitchen Safety Demo with Chef Nathaniel West, Michelin-trained chef and pastry chef with over 15 years experience. Just in time for the holidays, we will discuss and demonstrate basic kitchen safety from avoiding cross-contamination, knife/blade use, cut and burn care, putting out fires, etc — and we will flambé a desert! Snacks provided. Space is limited to 20 people so please RSVP.
11/15-11/17 Pre-Holiday “Thank You” Card Writing
 Before the holidays and November break, stop by the KCPC between anytime from 8am-8pm on Wednesday, November 15th through Friday, November 17th to write “Thank You” cards to friends, colleagues, professors, family, and more. All supplies provided. Find out more here.
11/30 Polished: Neck Ties & Nail Polish
 Co-hosted with Peabody’s Q.Ed., LGBTQQIA+ students are invited to our last Polished: Neck Ties and Nail Polish, an informal event series to learn how to look fancy and be fearless in your queerness. Come enjoy finery outside the binary, make friends, and learn new skills! All supplies are provided. No experience necessary. Find out more here.
Save-the-dates: Fall Study Snacks 12/7, 12/10, and 12/12
 Graduate and undergraduate students are invited to Fall Study Hours with Study Snacks at the LGBTQI Life K.C. Potter Center. We have three events, all with coffee, tea, and food (first come, first served.) See you 1) Thursday, December 7th from 4-8pm for Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Sunday, 2) Sunday, December 10th 12-4pm for pizza and salad, and 3) Tuesday, December 12th 9am -1pm for tasty pastries!
New Year, New Art at KCPC
 Calling all artists! LGBTQI Life at the K.C. Potter Center is ready to update their artwork across the space and we need you! We have several large and small frames available for a variety of displays, including pictures, artwork, poems, etc. Contact Katja Tetzlaff for more information.
Wednesdays 12-1pm LGBTQI Life Zoom Drop-in Hours
 This Fall, 2SLGBTQIA+ and questioning students, faculty, and staff are invited to stop by virtual office hours with Katja Tetzlaff (they/them), Program Coordinator for LGBTQI Life. Please email Katja for more information and to access the Zoom link.
Follow us on Instagram!
 Follow us @VULGBTQILIFE to find out more about all of our events and all LGBTQIA+ awareness days.
Want to be featured on our page? Fill out this form or contact Katja Tetzlaff for more information.
TUTORING AND DROP-IN SERVICES
LGBTQI Drop-In Hours @ BCC
Every Monday, 12pm – 1pm
 A representative from LGBTQI Life will hold drop-in hours at the Black Cultural Center every Monday from 12-1pm.For more information, contact katja.tetzlaff@vanderbilt.edu.
Writing Studio @ KCPC
Every Monday, 1pm – 3pm
 Meet with a tutor from the Writing Studio every Monday from 1-3pm at the K.C. Potter Center. For more information about the Writing Studio, go here.
UCC LGBTQI+ Drop-In Hours @ KCPC
Every Monday, 2pm – 4pm
 University Counseling Center has Drop-in Consultation Hours for LGBTQIA+ students at the KCPC. UCC Counselors will be available to students weekly without an appointment during this two hour window. You can find out more information here.
STEM Drop-In Tutoring @ KCPC
Every Tuesday, 3pm – 5pm
 Stop by the KCPC every Tuesday from 3-5pm for STEM tutoring. Find out more here.
LGBTQI Life Drop-in Hours online
Every Wednesday, 12pm – 1pm
Every Wednesday, LGBTQI Life will have Zoom drop-in hours from 12-1pm with Katja Tetzlaff (they/them). Find out more on AnchorLink or email katja.tetzlaff@vanderbilt.edu to access the link.
Project Safe Drop-In Hours @ KCPC
Every Thursday, 2pm – 4pm
 Project Safe has weekly satellite hours in our space. Anyone is welcome to attend these drop-in hours. Find out more Project Safe resources here.
VRS Pride Meetings
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 12pm – 1pm
 LGBTQI-identified people in recovery or currently struggling with habits that are ultimately detrimental to one’s wellbeing are invited to Vanderbilt Recovery Support group meetings at the Center for Student Wellbeing. Location: VRS Lounge, Center for Student Wellbeing, 1211 Stevenson Center Lane.
Continuum: LGBTQI+ Support Group
Every Thursday, 4-5:30pm (virtual)
Continuum is a group for students wishing to give and receive support around sexual identity and/or gender identity. If interested, please contact one of the following UCC staff members:
Kyle Shadrick at aaron.k.shadrick@vanderbilt.edu
Ashley Weber at ashley.c.weber@vanderbilt.edu
CAMPUS EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
11/8 2023 Cuninggim Lecture on Women in Culture and Society: A Conversation With Tarana Burke, Founder of the Me Too Movement
 The Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center presents the 2023 Cuninggim Lecture on Women in Culture and Society: A Conversation with Tarana Burke, Founder of the Me Too movement. Book signing and reception to follow. Find out more here.
11/15 Transgender Day of Resilience and Remembrance Worship Service at Vanderbilt Divinity School
The Divinity School will be offering a Worship Service in recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, November 15th at 11:30 AM in The Space in the Divinity School.
11/28 AASA X Lambda Navigating LGBTQ+ and Asian American Identities
 Join us Tuesday, November 28th from 6:30-8pm in the Community Event Space for a collaboration with Lambda that will feature an informational portion over resources and avenues that are available for queer/LGBTQ+ students along with panelists from various organizations that will speak about their own experiences in being LGBTQ+ identifying at Vanderbilt. RSVP here.
Survey: VU+ VUMC Menstrual Products Initiative
 A Vanderbilt medical student is working on a VU/VUMC campus initiative advocating for inclusive, gender-neutral language. Specifically, changing signs on restroom waste bins from their current “Place feminine products here” and visuals of a stick figure in a dress, to a more inclusive label of “Place menstrual products here” with gender-neutral visuals. Please provide feedback about this initiative here.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
11/4 A Home For All – LGBTQ+ Home Buyer Seminar
 Learn how to navigate the home buying process in a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals. Join us for breakfast and conversation. Register online here.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Vanderbilt University LGBTQI+ Task Force
 The Vanderbilt University LGBTQI+ Task Force is evaluating and assessing the impact of anti-LGBTQI legislation on students, faculty, and staff, and is considering highly innovative strategies and solutions that can be deployed to ensure the physical safety, and address the uncertainty, of our LGBTQ+ community. Find out more about the Task Force and resources here.
Campaign for Southern Equality Emergency Grant
 The Campaign for Southern Equality has launched the Southern Trans Youth Emergency Project (STYEP), a new regional effort which provides rapid response support directly to the families of youth who are impacted by anti-transgender healthcare bans in the South. We have developed a regional referral network of providers in access states and are helping as many families as we can through this time of crisis. Find out more here.
Trans Aid Nashville
 Trans Aid Nashville (TAN) is of our community, for our community. Transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming, and others who feel they fall into this community are welcome to access what resources we have available. Find out more here.
Trans Lifeline: Relocation Assistance
 Find out more about Trans Lifeline Relocation Assistance resources here. Trans Lifeline is a trans-led organization that connects trans people to the community, support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
Resources for Families of Transgender Youth in TN
 The Campaign for Southern Equality has resources for transgender youth and families in Tennessee impacted by HB1/SB1. Resources include travel grants for families of transgender youth, lists of support groups, and more. Visit their website to learn more about this law and access their resource guide.
Study on Mental Health Effects of Anti-Trans Legislation on Transgender Adults
 Graduate students at California State University Northridge are conducting a research project on mental health effects, minority stress, and resiliency among transgender adults, as related to the amount of anti-transgender or trans-affirmative state legislation in their home state. You may be eligible to take the survey if you: 1) are 18-49 years old, 2) identify as transgender, and 3) have lived in Tennessee, Texas, or Missouri in the past six years. Take the survey at this link. If you have any questions, please contact: alex.blake.836@my.csun.edu; erika.baron@csun.edu; hyun.park@csun.edu
Study on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health
 Vanderbilt researchers are recruiting LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 13-17 from across the state of Tennessee to better understand the mental health of Tennessee’s LGBTQ+ youth. What they learn from this study will inform tailored, context-appropriate, affirmative interventions for LGBTQ+ young people in our state. Below is a link to the study screener where youth ages 13-17 can find out if they are eligible. Legal guardian permission is required for teens under the age of 18. redcap.link/SPIRiTEMA_Parent_YA. Any questions can be directed to ClarkLab@Vanderbilt.Edu. Youth and parents/caregivers can learn more about their work here: clarklabvu.com/participate
Tennessee LGBTQ+ Health Equity Survey
 Inclusion Tennessee, the Vanderbilt Program for LGBTQ Health, and the Vanderbilt University LGBTQ+ Policy Lab have teamed up to create a survey looking at LGBTQ+ Health Equity in Tennessee. This is an anonymous survey that will help us fight for the rights of our LGBTQ+ community. Scan the QR code or go to tinyurl.com/queerhealthTN to take the survey today!
Trainings on LGBTQ+ Health Offered by the Human Right’s Campaign
 The Human Rights Campaign, the largest LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group in the United States, offers free online training in LGBTQ patient-centered care. In addition to the trainings that the HRC offers through the Center for Affiliated Learning, they also offer trainings through the Veterans Health Administration and other community organizations!
VUMC Program for LGBTQ Health Newsletter
 Go to the VUMC Program for LGBTQ Health webpage to find out more information and sign-up for their newsletter.
| ![LGBTQI Life E-Newsletter [Vanderbilt University]](https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-URL/wp-content/uploads/sites/119/2023/05/19173110/Untitled-design-1-3.png)
This group is a place for employees who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their allies. The LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, known as the Glammadores, will host regular meetings aimed at providing resources for LGBTQIA+ employees and allies, including social networking, meetups, guest speakers, support navigating workplace interactions and more. For more information or to join, contact 
The Bi/Pan/Fluid affinity group provides a supportive and brave space for people who want to explore bi/pan/fluid or otherwise non-straight/non-heterosexual identities and experiences. Join us for conversation, exploration, and fun! Connect 
BlackOut is an affinity group that facilitates the coming together of black LGBTQIA+ members of the Vanderbilt community in order to provide support and share space and experiences. BlackOut is co-sponsored by The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center. Connect 
The Queer and Asian (Q&A) affinity group provides space for students who are LGBTQIA2S+ and Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander. Join us for resources, conversation, and fun! Connect 
Willow provides an affirming, open space for women, women-aligned people, and lesbians attracted to other women, women-aligned people, and lesbians to discuss their experiences, share resources, and find a focused, supportive community where their identities are centered. Join us for meetings, movie nights, and more! Connect 
Plurality provides a brave space for LGBTQIA+ people who identify with or are practicing polyamory or consensual non-monogamy. Plurality delves into the history, representations, and skills involved with polyamory and consensual non-monogamy. Join us for resources and discussions! Connect 
