Queer Identities Week to Celebrate Unity, Increase Awareness
October 19, 2009 - News Release
The University of Guelph is marking Queer Identities Week Oct. 19 to 23 with a series of events and activities aimed at recognizing the unity of the queer community and educating people about a variety of issues.
The week-long festivities officially kick off Monday at noon with a rainbow flag-raising ceremony and a daylong resource fair. The week will also include workshops, presentations, a book sale and entertainment. All events are open to the public.
On Monday, the Queer Resource Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Centre courtyard. It will highlight the many queer-focused resources on campus and around Guelph. At noon, a rainbow flag, which has become the universal symbol of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights, will be raised in front of the University Centre.
A workshop on “Becoming an Ally” begins at 5:45 in UC 441. It’s open to anyone interested in learning more about being an ally to those with sexual and gender identities different from their own. At 8 p.m. a workshop on “Queer Empowerment in the Workplace” runs in UC 332.
Tuesday and Wednesday feature discussions about disabilities and sexuality, two-spiritedness, and assumptions and interpretations. Other week highlights include a cookie-decorating/musical viewing event Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in UC 103.
A complete schedule is available online.
Queer Identities Week is run by the Human Rights Office and is supported by Guelph Queer Equality; Out On the Shelf; CamoOUT; the Central Student Association; U of G Wellness Centre; OUTline, a U of G centre that provides resources and support related to sexual orientation and gender identity; the Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity; CUPE 3913; and U of G’s Aboriginal Resource Centre.
For media questions, contact U of G Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338 or lhunt@uoguelph.ca , or Barry Gunn, Ext. 56982 or bagunn@uoguelph.ca .
