If you’ve read any of my earlier blog posts, you’ve probably seen me mention the LGBTQIA conference–the third annual Lehigh Valley Intercollegiate LGBTQIA conference, actually–coming up this weekend. Kye Allums, the first openly transgender Division 1 NCAA athlete, is the keynote speaker, and there’s going to be all sorts of workshops and sessions, including ones on how to be an ally, how to find your voice in the bedroom, trans allyship, marriage equality, and workplace conditions. For a full list of sessions, see here. People are also asking attendees to register, which is here. It’ll be in the UC this Saturday; the first sessions start at 10AM. I’m planning on attending a whole bunch of them.
Here at Lehigh and elsewhere, being a member of any sexual, romantic, or gender minority can be (and in most cases, is) extremely difficult. Or, no, scratch that–being a part of any minority is difficult. I suggest everyone go to at least one session at the conference this weekend. If you don’t know what to go to, I’d suggest the Intersex to Interaction one at 11:15–intersex isn’t a topic that gets discussed too often.
And activism. Has anyone heard of #itooamharvard? “A photo campaign highlighting the faces and voices of black students at Harvard College. Our voices often go unheard on this campus, our experiences are devalued, our presence is questioned– this project is our way of speaking back, of claiming this campus, of standing up to say: We are here. This place is ours. We, TOO, are Harvard,” as says the description on a webpage dedicated to the campaign. You can take a look at that here. Now, a couple of Lehigh’s students have made an #itooamlehigh campaign inspired by Harvard’s movement aiming to get more visibility for minorities and more awareness of the bias and micro-aggressions that occur on campus. Lehigh’s page for that is here. For more information on it, and to get involved (it’s really easy–think of a quote or message to say, and you’ll write it on a whiteboard and have your picture taken to be featured in the campaign!) I’d suggest talking to Eryne Boyle or Elizabeth Pines; look them up on Facebook or something, or if you have the Lehigh LIVE app, you can search their names to find their emails. They’ll likely have more information than I do, considering I only heard about it yesterday. I’ve already done a photo for it, though.
And, the drag show! Spectrum is holding their annual drag show this Thursday. And it’s going to be pretty awesome. Music, professional performances, etcetera, plus, there’ll be some student (and maybe even faculty) performances–I’ll upload photos after the event! There also might be a prize for best drag costume in the audience, so don’t feel like you can’t dress up if you aren’t performing! It’s in Lamberton this Thursday at 9PM. COME FORTH AND HAVE FUN WITH US!
One more thing, too: There’s a social mixer this Friday in Lamberton at 5PM, specifically open to all LGBTQIA people as well as allies. There’ll be plenty of snacks and drinks, too, so if you’re looking for something to do this Friday, head over!
All right, I think that’s about all the news I have. See ya!
First-Year Lehigh Engineers 