2022 – 2023 Events:
- Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, 2022
- Women’s History Month/Empowerment Theme, March 2023
2021 – 2022 Events:
- Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, 2021
- Native American Heritage Month – November
- Transgender Day of Remembrance, Friday, November 19, 2021
- Black History Month, February 2022
- Women’s Empowerment, March 2022
- Day of Silence, April 2022
- Lavender Graduation (NEW THIS YEAR!) April 2022
October 11, 2020 – National Coming Out Day
Pronoun Day, Friday, October 16, 2020
February 2020 – Black History Month
- February 4 @ 7:00 PM (Alumni Room) – Remember the Titans showing with Coach Brian Hill leading discussion
- Participants are invited to read aloud from any text written by an African American author. Each participant should plan to read for no more than five minutes. All are welcome to attend or participate – WLU students, faculty, and staff, as well as all members of communities surrounding the university. You do not have to read aloud to attend the event and are welcome to come and listen.
- “The National African American Read-In is the nation’s first and oldest event dedicated to diversity in literature. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. This initiative has reached more than 6 million participants around the world.” – ncte.org
- “Every February, NCTE commemorates books written by Black authors that elevate Black experiences. We call this event, this annual commemoration of Black letters, the African American Read-In…Now each year, hundreds of thousands of people—in bookstores and coffee shops, in faith-based institutions and prisons, in living rooms and in kitchens and anywhere else people gather—dedicate time in February (Black History Month) to explore Black literature (old and new).” Sawubona (“I see you”) Jerrie: Continuing the Legacy of the African American Read-In by Stephanie Power-Carter, Indiana University and David E. Kirkland, NYUAfrican American Read-In on Tuesday, February 11. Please consider attending this event to honor Black History Month. You can sign up to participate by clicking here.
November 20, 2019 – Transgender Day of Remembrance
The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved. Although not every person represented during the Day of Remembrance self-identified as transgender — that is, as a transsexual, crossdresser, or otherwise gender-variant — each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people. We live in times more sensitive than ever to hatred based violence, especially since the events of September 11th, 2001. Yet even now, the deaths of those based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice, regardless of any other factors in their lives. This trend shows no sign of abating. The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes. It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through the vigil, we express love and respect for our people in the face of national and international indifference and hatred. Day of Remembrance reminds non-
transgender people that we are all sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers. Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward and stand in vigil, memorializing those who have died by anti-transgender violence.
In 2018, advocates tracked at least 26 deaths of at least transgender or gender non-conforming people in the U.S. due to fatal violence, the majority of whom were Black transgender women. These victims were killed by acquaintances, partners and strangers, some of whom have been arrested and charged, while others have yet to be identified. Some of these cases involve clear anti-transgender bias. In others, the victim’s transgender status may have put them at risk in other ways, such as forcing them into unemployment, poverty, homelessness and/or survival sex work.
The names, location and cause of death for those we have lost in the last year were read aloud on the quad while the transgender pride flags were placed on the ground to commemorate those that have been murdered due to anti-transgender violence.
October 30, 2019 – SafeZone Training
Students, Faculty, and Staff participated in SafeZone Training facilitate by WLU Alumni Andrew Lewis. SafeZone is a resource for creating powerful, effective, LGBTQ awareness and ally training. For additional sessions in your area or group contact us.
October 11, 2019 – National Coming Out Day
Students, Staff, and Faculty gathered to show their support for National Coming Out Day, October 11th in rainbow color “Love is Love” shirts designed by WLU Graphic Design Students. Topper Tidbit from National Coming Out Day
February 2017 – SafeZone Training
Students, Faculty, and Staff participated in SafeZone Training. SafeZone is a resource for creating powerful, effective, LGBTQ awareness and ally training. For additional sessions in your area or group contact us.
March 2016 – SafeZone Training
Students, Faculty, and Staff participated in SafeZone Training. SafeZone is a resource for creating powerful, effective, LGBTQ awareness and ally training. Additional sessions will be offered during the Fall 2016 semester.
