The Valpo Core

October 6, 2009

Dear Core Students,

This week is a very important cultural event for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and ally community. This Wednesday, Oct. 7, in observance of National Coming Out Day, Valparaiso University’s Alliance organization will be hosting a 5^th Hour Approved event entitled “Sexuality Monologues.” Please join us in celebration of our culture and pride, and for an entertaining journey into the lives and thoughts of the LGBT community. There will be discussion afterward, directly following the event. Refreshments will be served.

Alliance

Neils Science Center, room 234, 8 pm.–TONIGHT! (Wed, 4/22)

In connection with National Day of Silence, there will be a screening and discussion of the film “For the Bible Tells Me So,” sponsored by Alliance.

The movie is an exploration of the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the U.S., and how the Bible has been used in the debate over homosexuality. This discussion will be tied in with the recent campus workshop on sexual orientation and will also explore new issues within this overall topic.

FACULTY/STAFF/STUDENT WORKSHOP

“SEXUAL ORIENTATION: MAKING VU A MORE WELCOMING PLACE”

Harre Union, Ballroom C (East)
Friday, April 3, 2009
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

WHAT WILL I GET OUT OF THIS?
•    Increased awareness of and information about sexual orientation
•    Some practical ideas on how to address sexual orientation both in and outside the classroom
•    Training for those who want to post the “Safe Space” triangle at their workstation

AGENDA

3:00     Plenary Session for Faculty/Staff/Students            Ballroom C
•    View President Heckler’s Videotaped Message
•    Panel Discussion:  How Can We Make VU a More Welcoming Place?
•    Q and A with the Panel

3:50    Introduction to Small Group Sessions for Faculty/Staff

3:55    Break

4:00     Small Group Sessions for Faculty/Staff

Choose one of the following three sessions:                Locations TBA

1.    Sexual Diversity in Your Classroom: Curriculum/Pedagogy/Students
2.    Sexualities, Silences, and Schooling: What the Research Tells Us
3.    Making your Workstation a “Safe Space”*

4:40    Final Plenary Session: Share Ideas from Small Groups        Ballroom C

Coffee, Tea and Snacks will be provided.

TO RSVP FOR THIS EVENT: Email Cynthia.Rutz@valpo.edu or Call 219-464-5960

(Be sure to include the name of the small group session you would like to attend.)

Sponsored by:  The Diversity Concerns Committee, The Teaching Resource Center, ALLIANCE, The Education Department

*Those taking this session will receive a “Safe Space” triangle to post at their workstation

Agenda for Workshop

Still need a fifth hour before the end of the semester?  Join the student body for a free screening of the academy award winning feature film Philadelphia this Thursday, December 4th, at 7 pm in Neils Science Center Auditorium (234). In the film, a lawyer (played by Tom Hanks) with AIDS is fired by a conservative law firm because of his condition, and he hires a homophobic small time lawyer (played by Denzel Washington) as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit. Following the film members of VU’s Alliance will lead a conversation covering the issues raised in the film, how the film relates to today, the issues of homophobia and race relations, and the facts and myths of AIDS in America and around the globe.

Sponsored by Alliance.

[Info and description provided by event organizers.]

“Conquering the Closet: Stories of Survival and Triumph”
Thursday, Oct. 16th 5:45 pm on the Huegli Patio.

In our society today there exists an invisible prison designed to suffocate certain individuals with feelings of shame, guilt, and fear. This Thursday, VU’s student organization Alliance is breaking down that prison piece by piece. Join us in a celebration of personal victories as students just like you tell their tales of coming out and discuss GLBT issues as they relate to our campus. All are invited to attend this one time event. Free pizza to follow.

Sponsored by Alliance.

Thursday, October 18th in the CCLIR Community Room at 7:00 pm, Ean Barnard will be coming to speak for National Coming Out Day.  He will be speaking on his many experiences with coming out, from dealing with the troubles of coming out as the president of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity at the University of Illinois Champaign, to his inner battle with coming out while growing up Christian and the issues he had with his faith. He will also speak of other experiences that he has encountered as his life progressed. Afterwards there will be a short Q&A session.

Sponsored by Alliance.

Approved for Core 5th-hour credit.

“Invisible Minority”
Thursday, Oct. 4th
7:30 pm, Alumni Hall Study Lounge

Come meet the GLB community here on campus.
Learn to challenge society’s stereotypes.
Familiarize yourself with VU’s “invisible minority.”

Members of Alliance will speak about their experiences on campus as an underrepresented group and in a largely Judeo-Christian environment. There will be open discussion.

Core-approved for 5th-hour credit.