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December 2023 NEWSLETTER
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT
Congratulations, Dr. Lizzie Smith!
 Join us in celebrating our new Assistant Director, Lizzie Smith, PhD! Before coming to Vanderbilt, Lizzie was the director of the Safe Zone Resource Center at the University of Alabama. She holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama and specializes in LGBTQIA+ student support services. Prior to the completion of their PhD, Lizzie earned a master’s degree in English from the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s of English at the University of Central Arkansas. In her spare time. Lizzie enjoys video games with a cat or dog on her lap and weightlifting.
Celebrate 15 years of the K.C. Potter Center by securing our next 15 years of growth! Our vision for the K.C. Potter Center encompasses enhanced building accessibility, heightened security measures and a renewed focus on various programs, including the expansion of advocacy resources and staffing. Join us in the exciting endeavor to sustain the K.C. Potter Center’s evolution by contributing to our goal of raising $15,000 for 15 years by the end of 2023! So far, we have reached $9,920 of our $15,000 goal!
Additionally, we encourage you to check out the great Luminaries Series video with Dean K.C. Potter. A shortened version can be found here.
Want to be featured in our newsletter? Fill out this form or contact Katja Tetzlaff for more information.
LGBTQIA+ AWARENESS DAYS
December LGBTQIA+ Awareness Days:
1 December: World AIDS Day with VUMC HIV Vaccine Program. Stop by the KCPC to show your support with HIV Vaccine Trial giveaways items like tote bags, buttons, mints, key chains, wristbands, chapsticks, and more! Check out our Instagram for how you can get involved!
8 December: Pansexual/Panromantic Pride Day
14 December: HIV Cure Research Day
Find out more about the importance of these days on our Instagram or History Month webpage.
LGBTQI LIFE EVENTS
Fall Finals Study Hours at KCPC:
12/7 4:00-8:00pm with Hatti B’s Hot Chicken
 Join us for Fall Finals Study Hours at the KCPC on Thursday, December 7th from 4-8pm. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken will be provided. RSVP and submit your food order here.
12/10 12:00-4:00pm with Pizza and Salads
 Join us for Fall Finals Study Hours at the KCPC on Sunday, December 10th from 12-4pm. Pizza will be provided. RSVP and submit your food order here.
12/12 9:00am-1:00pm Study Snacks
 Join us for Fall Finals Study Hours at the KCPC on Tuesday, December 12th from 9am – 1pm. Food and caffeinated beverages will be provided. RSVP and submit your food order here.
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
12/1 Friday Yoga at CSW
 All are welcome to attend Friday Yoga at the Center for Student Wellbeing. Our certified yoga instructor will lead you through an hour of relaxing practices to end your week on a high note. No prior experience or personal yoga equipment is necessary! Sign-up here.
12/2 MLC Fall Semi Formal: Winterizing
![Winter Wallpapers [HD quality] - Apps on Google Play](https://play-lh.googleusercontent.com/kqjV1NiiN03IHiZMW9x0tT06M9VhMi-kkivdIjJFnfDX0wSWkDab7DLHKM5pFq1ggRA) Join the MLC at the Pancake Pantry to celebrate the coming of Winter celebrated in different cultures! Enjoy good food and music with your community! Find out more at: https://anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu/event/9612463
12/6 THEN AND NOW: THE HISTORY OF MINORITY
COMMUNITIES IN NASHVILLE, Nashville’s LGBTQI+ Community
 As Nashville continues to experience tremendous growth, it has become an increasingly diverse home to different minority communities. Over the 2023-24 Academic Year, Then and Now will explore the history and impact of these communities through the scholarly work of noted historians and the personal stories of community members. The series is moderated by Dr. André L. Churchwell, Senior Advisor on Inclusion and Community Outreach at Vanderbilt University. This is the fourth in a series of six panel-discussions presented by Vanderbilt University and hosted by Nashville Public Library. Find out more here.
12/14 VRS Pride
VRS Pride is open to members of the Vanderbilt Community (undergrad, graduate/professional, and staff) who identify within the LGBTQI+ community and are navigating addiction recovery or are questioning their use of alcohol, drugs, or other habits detrimental to wellbeing (gambling, shopping, disordered eating, etc.).
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
Participants Wanted: Help researchers understand more about how parents can better support their LGBTQ+ youth
SPACES (Supporting Parents to Affirm their Children’s Experiences of Sexual and Gender Identities) is a 2-part study designed specifically to help caregivers in the Southeast U.S. who struggle with accepting their LGBTQ+ children’s identities. The first part of this study consists of interviews that will help the research team learn more about acceptance barriers for parents and develop some brief interventions that will be used in the second part of the study. The LGBTQ+ policy lab is currently collaborating with researchers at Yale, Ben-Gurion, and University of Maryland on this research study that aims to develop online interventions for non-supporting caregivers of LGBTQ+ children.
Are you an LGBTQ+ person ages 12-29 living in the US Southeast? To see if you are eligible, use the QR code or go 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.
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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 
