Tag Archives: News

Meeting Notes: 11/12/2015 General Meeting

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OUT at Illinois
General Meeting
Thursday, November 12th
5:30pm, Illini Union Rm. 213

AGENDA:

  • Welcome, Introductions, and Fellowship
    • New faces in the room, small crowd.
  • Programming and Budget Ideas
    • Consider a speaker. Possibly in collaboration with Black History Month and with BFAPA (Black Faculty and Academic Professional Alliance)
    • Monthly social to have, at least, appetizers sponsored at different locations.
    • Lots of programs and activities happening, maybe develop an online calendar?
    • It would be nice to create some kind of mentorship programming model
    • Pronoun buttons are possibly being ordered, but it would be nice to have some kind of “OUT at Illinois” sticker, button, or other signifier that is not a t-shirt.
  • Meeting Locations
    • The SDRP is available
    • Champaign and Urbana Public Libraries (to be in the community)
    • Possibly the Career Center
  • Leadership Opportunities/Positions
    • By-laws need to be created – Will likely convene early next semester to draft these.
    • Formal “officer” roles will also need to be in place: President, Secretary, Treasurer and other Charis, as needed.
    • BFAPA has Faculty & AP Chairs, Professional Development, Community Engagement, and Social Engagement.
      • Nathan can assist with Treasurer and developing by-laws
      • Susan can assist with creating a MeetUp group or other social/community engagement opportunities.
    • IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED, PLEASE LET US KNOW!
  • Digital Resources
    • We have a pretty active listserv, and the Wiki Page.
    • Are going to be make sure information goes across lots of media that might be missed via email and Wiki
      • Website created to archive shared information, go.illinois.edu/OUT
      • Creating a Facebook page too! Coming soon….
    • Open Floor
      • Beyond Visibility Luncheon, 12/08 at 11:30am Alice Campbell Alumni Center
      • Working to expand gender-inclusive bathroom signage on campus. Knowing any places that might qualify?
      • There is a Housing-wide LGBT group for students, you can contact Nathan Runnels for more information.

Most gay and lesbian researchers are out in the lab

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http://www.nature.com/news/most-gay-and-lesbian-researchers-are-out-in-the-lab-1.18187
“Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) scientists feel more accepted in the workplace than their peers in other professions, a US survey suggests. The study, published in the Journal of Homosexuality1, also found that respondents in scientific fields with a high proportion of women, such as the social sciences, were more likely to be out to their colleagues than those in more male-intensive disciplines, such as engineering.” Read more at link above

BREAKING: New LGBT protections become law in Illinois

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Moments ago, legislation to protect LGBT youth by prohibiting so-called “conversion therapy” became law after being signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.  Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth in Illinois will now be protected from discredited and dangerous efforts to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. Known as “conversion therapy,” these efforts are extremely harmful to the physical and mental well-being of young people. 

The governor also signed a bill allowing Illinoisans to specify their gender identity in binding funeral and burial instructions. Legislation to address burial instructions is necessary because of past situations where a person’s gender identity was disrespected by family members or funeral directors.     

These victories would not have been possible without the support of Equality Illinois members. Thanks to ongoing support, calls and notes to lawmakers and the governor, and thousands of petition signatures, our members helped us push these bills through the Illinois legislature with bipartisan support and ensure that they became law.   

Despite the approval of these bills, we remain focused on ensuring a fully-funded, fair, and responsible state budget to protect vital services for the most vulnerable Illinoisans, including homeless youth and individuals living with HIV/AIDS.  

Let’s keep moving forward, 

Mike Ziri
Director of Public Policy
Equality Illinois

05/04/2015 – Meeting Notes

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LGBTQ Employee Affinity Group Meeting
Monday, May 4th at 5:30pm
Rm. 209, Illini Union

Introductions

-Check out the queso ice cream at El Oasis in Urbana

 

Announcements

  • Do not forget the communication tools that have been created so that information sharing, networking, and general conversation can take place outside of a “formal” meeting time and location.
  • GEO member, elizaBeth Simpson, shared about the opportunity to work more closely with Graduate students who are employees of the University and potential collaboration. elizaBeth will send out more information across the listserv later.
  • Ally Network Training Committee eliciting feedback
    • You are welcome to send a message to Devon Guidoux (dguidoux@illinois.edu) with any questions, suggestions, or comments to improve the Ally training(s) that the committee does. Devon will also follow-up to the listserv regarding a form to provide feedback.
  • Summer Meeting Locations (Locations tentative, dates and times firm)
    • A budget of $100 for each meeting has been secured for nominal costs.
    • Monday, June1st at 5:30pm, White Horse Inn
      • Need to reserve location
    • Monday, July 6th at 6:0pm, Hessel Park for BBQ
      • Need to reserve location
      • Purchase food
      • Purchase BBQ materials
    • Monday, August 3rd at 5:30pm, Illini Union Rec Room for Bowling
      • Need to reserve location
      • Have a “registration”

 

Upcoming Events

  • Lavender Congratulatory: Wednesday, May 6th  at 5pm in Illini Union Rms. A & B. An opportunity to recognize students (undergraduate and grads), also there are campus and community awards. A good time to have a presence for Queer professionals that the students can see.
  • “A conversation about our Common Future”: Monday, May 18th at 2pm-3:30pm in Krannert (Tyron Theatre). The new University President and campus chancellors will have “town hall” meetings. A good opportunity to make see if Queer issues are on their radar and remind them of so.
  • LGBTQ Employee End of the Year Social: Wednesday, May 20th , 5:30pm-7:30pm at Big Grove Tavern. This is a family-friendly event where children and partners are welcome. Meant to be a nice time to socialize and celebrate the end of the spring semester. Facebook event and RSVP, but not required.

 

Open Forum

  • The meetings only draw about 6-10 people, but more than 36 on listserv. How can we expand 1) Who know we exist? and 2) Who comes to the meetings?
  • Start thinking of names for the group. “LGBTQ Employee Affinity Group” sounds more like a description and is really bland when we think of identity and community building.
  • Any thoughts on what we can do for the 2015-2016 Year?
    • Create some kind of ½ to ¼ sheet paper to be included during new employee orientation so people know about the listserv, the Wiki, and other information that they might need to become involved.
    • Find “Quad Day” like opportunities for Employees that we can have a visible presence at. Possibly the Employee Expo would be a good avenue
    • Consider “rotating” meetings, where different offices host the meetings, so that people can get acquainted with different parts of campus and increase the LGBTQ visibility across units.
    • Local and Regional Pride Festivals
      • Champaign Pride will likely take place when Fall semester comes back into session. Manuel will reach out to the UP Center and offer our assistance or ways that we could collaborate.
      • Chicago Pride parade is Sunday, June 28th. It might be fun to try and organize a group to go up and watch the parade and/or coordinate efforts with UIS or UIC to march as an Illinois group. Manuel will look more into this.