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February 2024 NEWSLETTER
LGBTQIA+ AWARENESS DAYS
February LGBTQIA+ Awareness Days:
7 February: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Week after Valentine’s Day: Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week. Stop by the K.C. Potter Center this week to learn more about aromantic identities and attend our Palentine’s event on Feb 12!
28 February: HIV Is Not A Crime Awareness Day
Find out more about the importance of these days on our Instagram.
LGBTQI LIFE EVENTS
2/1 Black & LGBTQI Photo History Reception & Exhibit
 All are invited to join our catered reception on Thursday, February 1st from 5-8pm at the K.C. Potter Center for the opening of our photo history exhibit honoring Black and LGBTQIA+ past pioneers and living legends on view throughout all of Black History Month. Stop by between February 1st and 29th to explore the different exhibits in each room of the KCPC! Find out more here.
2/13 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Kickoff: Reaffirming Our Creed & Values
 Join Student Affairs on Tuesday, February 13, for the official Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) Kickoff, commemorating the collaboration of Vanderbilt’s Identity Centers with Student Affairs! This is a drop-in event where students, staff and faculty are encouraged to come as you can, enjoy light refreshments and celebrate the work of the Student Center for Social Justice & Identity, LGBTQI Life, Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center, and the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life. Find out more online.
LGBTGIF… it’s back! Every Friday in Spring 2024
 Thank goodness it’s Friday! Bringing back a campus tradition starting Friday 1/12 and continuing EVERY FRIDAY for the whole semester, all LGBTQIA+ faculty, staff and students are welcome to bring their lunches and eat in company with community at the K.C. Potter Center every Friday from 12-2pm. Bring your lunch and enjoy coffee and tea. Let us know you’re coming to LGBTGIF here!
Queeries & Conservations. Every Wednesday in Spring 2024
 LGBTQIA+ and allied students, faculty, and staff are invited to gather at the KCPC to chat about queer culture and share refreshments each Wednesday at 4pm for Queeries & Conversations. Weekly topics vary, and campus affiliate group or organization @Vanderbilt LGBTQI Life can host a conversation!
Interested in sharing a special interest, fan theory, or learning about others’ thoughts on an issue? Email us at lgbtqi@vanderbilt.edu to host a conversation about a topic of your choice!
2/12 Palentine’s Day @ KCPC
 Celebrating lovers, best friends, & queer platonic cuties! Join us to celebrate love in all its forms with friendship bracelets, valentines, treats, and more on “Palentine’s Day.” See you Monday, February 12th from 5-7pm at the KCPC.
2/19 Comics Workshop by Hal Schrieve
 Join illustrator and author Hal Schrieve for a comics workshop. Explore how comics can communicate narrative in a way totally different from prose, think about how to draw like a child and see art as both a serious practice and play, and practice character design and evocative stories in a low-stakes setting. Held during an English class taught by Lydia Conklin, this workshop is open to all Vanderbilt University community members. Please bring your own drawing materials for the workshop. Find out more.
2/20 How to Get Over the End of the World: An Evening with Hal Schrieve
 Join author Hal Schrieve for a reading from hir latest novel, How to Get Over the End of the World. Boldly weird, cool, and confident, this YA (Young Adult) novel of LGBTQ+ teen artists, activists, and telepathic visionaries offers hope against climate and community destruction. Refreshments will be served at 5:30p and after the event in nearby 1004 Great Room. Books will also be available for purchase. Event is free and open to the public. Reading is from 6-7:30pm in E. Bronson Ingram College’s 1003 Multipurpose Room. Find out more.
2/20 History of Trans Speculative Fiction with Hal Schrieve
 Join librarian, illustrator, and author Hal Schrieve for a lunch presentation about the history of transgender speculative fiction at The Digital Commons. Explore the origins of trans speculative fiction in early sci-fi, consider the differences between trans-authored stories and stories about trans people which utilize them as metaphor, and learn about how publishing has grown to accommodate trans self-narrative. We’ll talk about common themes in current trans speculative fiction (like revolution, prophets, and healing from trauma) and what might come next in the imaginary! Free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided during the workshop. Please RSVP with your dietary needs. Find out more.
2/22 Drop-in P.R.I.D.E. Training (In-Person)
 All are invited to us for an in-person P.R.I.D.E. Training on Thursday, February 22nd from 9am-12pm in Commons Center – Commons 233 Conference Room. All participants who complete the training will receive a Safe Space placard. Email lgbtqi@vanderbilt.edu if you have any questions. RSVP here.
Facilitator Needed: BlackOut Affinity Group
 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 here.
Want to be a facilitator? Please email lgbtqi@vanderbilt.edu
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.
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.
Writing Studio @ KCPC
Every Thursday, 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.
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
2/14 & 2/21 VRS Pride Meetings
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.).
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
VOICE: Vanderbilt Outreach Initiative for Community Empowerment, Application due 3/15
 Are you a student interested in community impact and engagement? Look no further! Vanderbilt Outreach Initiative for Community Empowerment (VOICE) offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful, long-term service commitments in Nashville while honing essential service-leadership skills. If interested, check out our website for more information and the application on Anchor Link! Applications are due March 15th at 11:59 P.M. Questions? Email madison.woods@vanderbilt.edu.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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 
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 
