UK Celebrates Trans Awareness Week With Calendar of Events By Ryan Girves
In honor of national Transgender Week of Awareness (TWOA), the University of Kentucky’s Office of LGBTQ* Resources, housed in the Office for Student Success, is hosting its own week of awareness Nov. 15 through Nov. 20.
Each year, people and organizations around the country participate in Trans Awareness Week to help raise visibility surrounding transgender people and address issues members of the community face.
“This week is important to focus our attention and awareness on the experiences of transgender and nonbinary individuals through the lens of education and advocacy,” said Robert Hayes, director of Student Transitions and Family Programs.
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to get involved during awareness week to bring attention to the community, educate the public and advance advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence that impact the transgender community.
UK’s Trans Awareness Week schedule of events include:
Button Making in the Dinkle-Mas Suite | Monday, Nov. 15. The Office of LGBTQ* Resources encourages all folks to come by and make a pronoun button.
Pop-up Stop & Shop | Tuesday, Nov. 16. In honor of TWOA, the Office of LGBTQ* Resources wants to encourage students to come by the Dinkle-Mas Suite from noon until 5 p.m. to pick up donated clothing items.
Affirmation Board | Wednesday, Nov. 17. The campus community can stop by the Dinkle-Mas Suite for notes with words of encouragement and inspirational quotes. Students are also welcome to leave quotes.
Virtual Health Care Panel | 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18. More information is coming and will be posted on the office’s BBNvolved page.
Karaoke | 4-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. Hosted by SGA in Worsham Cinema.
While TWOA only lasts one week, UK works to support trans students year-round through a number of support programs and resources.
“There are several ways the University of Kentucky can help to support the community throughout the year,” Hayes said. “The UK Counseling Center offers a Trans-Expansive Support Group on Tuesday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. UK HealthCare also offers the Transform Health Clinic, which focuses on the needs of the LGBTQ* community. Additionally, the Office of LGBTQ* Resources encourages visitors to the Dinkle-Mas Suite to connect with staff and peers to help build community.”
To learn more about the Office of LGBTQ* Resources, click here. For more information on the annual observance of Trans Awareness Week, click here.