Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2015

SAAM-fb-cover-photo-to-shareJanuary is Sexual Assault Awareness Month at UBC.

Sexual assault affects people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations. Help end the violence by participating in one of many Sexual Assault Awareness Month events this January. Learn more about sexual assault, how to help prevent it, and the supports available for survivors. And don’t forget to wear denim on Denim Day, January 21, to show others you’re standing up against sexual assault.

We would like to highlight our keynote speaker, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha. Her talk, “Strong Communities Make Police Obsolete” will take place on Tuesday, January 27 at 12.30 – 1.30pm at the Liu Institute of Global Issues. For full details regarding this event see our online events calendar or our Facebook event.

Please find a highlighted list of events during SAAM below. Read more for more information and events. If you attend or would like to follow what’s happening on social media, use and follow us at #saamUBC.

  • Thursday 15
    • BARtalk #14: Feminism in the Media, hosted by AMS and Terry Project UBC. 6-7.30pm, at the Gallery Lounge.
  • Tuesday 20
    • Anti-violence ally training, 10am-12.30pm. Contact Ashley Bentley at AMS Sexual Support Centre, sascprog@ams.ubc.ca to register.
    • AMS SASC is screening the film Stalled, followed by a discussion with film-maker Megan Gardiner. 7-8.30pm, Irving K. Barber 261.
  • Wednesday 21
    • Denim Day: Stand up for a respectful campus and ask the same of your friends. Wear denim, a Denim Day sticker, or both on January 21 to stand against sexual assault. Stickers provided by Access & Diversity, email students@ubc.ca
  • Sunday 25
    • Place Vanier: Start Talking art show, Shrum Lounge 6-8pm. For UBC residents.
  • Tuesday 27
    • Access & Diversity presents keynote speaker Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, 12.30-1.30pm, Multipurpose Room, Liu Institute.
    • AMS SASC, FUS and LFSUS are hosting a SAAM Showcase, 6-8pm, Agora Café.
  • Wednesday 28
    • AMS Speakeasy: Art Speaks – #StartTalking art exhibition, SUB Art Gallery, 5-8pm
  • Friday 30
    • Really? workshop: Anti-discrimination awareness response training, 3.30-5pm, Simon K.Y. Lee Global Lounge. Register at u@ubc.ca

For more information regarding events and to find resources related to sexual assault awareness, please visit students.ubc.ca/saam.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

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Guest post by Mustari Tumpa, 2nd-year Arts student and Josh Macdonald, 3rd-year science student.

On Thursday November 20th we at UBC remember the individuals who have been killed as a result of transphobia (the hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming people). If you’d like to take part in remembering them, there are a few events being held at UBC.

Between November 17th and 20th there will be a table at the SUB to provide information and raise awareness about transphobia and the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

On November 20th there will be a Candlelight Vigil at the SUB concourse between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. Between 5:00 and 7:30 pm there will be a Memorial event at the SUB Art Gallery that will explain what the Transgender Day of Remembrance is all about. It’s also an opportunity for folks to share their experiences and listen to spoken word pieces and panel discussions.

And if you identify as trans or gender-variant, here few things that might help improve your experience at UBC which you may not know about.

If your preferred name is different from your legal name you can use your preferred name on online courses or on Connect, by profs, classmates, and colleagues, and as the name called aloud at your graduation (it’s a part of the graduation application). However, you do have to use your legal name on official letters, transcripts, and the graduation program.

For more information visit students.ubc.ca/campus/diversity or students.ubc.ca/access.

National Transgender Day of Remembrance(TDoR) – Events

Thursday November 20th – Candle Light Vigil
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: SUB Concourse

Thursday November 20th – TDoR Memorial Event
Time: 5pm-7.30pm
Location: SUB Art Gallery
Description: A discussion on what TDoR is, an opportunity for folks to share their experiences, spoken word pieces and a panel discussion of trans* issues.

Thursday, November 20, 2014 –  Allyship Discussion
Time: 3pm – 4:30pm
Location: SUB Ballroom
Description: This facilitated discussion creates space to examine how allyship is practiced in and out of queer communities. The focus is on allyship with trans folks and communities and how to transform our allyship into one that is better enacted and embodied.

Thursday, November 20, 2014 – Trans* Solidarity Discussion
Time: 3pm – 4:30pm
Location: SUB Ballroom
Description: This facilitated discussion is a space to examine solidarity within the trans communities. This space is created for trans-identified folks to discuss how to  navigate the range of experiences and needs that fall within this umbrella in a way that is active and intentional.

What I loved about “What I LOVE About Being QUEER”

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Post by Hannah Barath, Access and Diversity Co-op student.

At the end of September I had the opportunity to attend a screening and discussion of “What I LOVE About Being QUEER” with film-maker Vivek Shraya. Often when we hear stories from members of the queer community, we hear about discrimination and challenges they face. In his work as an artist, human rights advisor, and positive space coordinator, Shraya has met many young queer and trans individuals struggling with internalized feelings of shame, homophobia, and transphobia. This film was created to offer a positive alternative narrative. It is not meant to take away from the stories of struggling, but rather act as an accompanying story that supports and inspires.

In this film, 34 individuals share what they love about being queer. The result is a touching and impactful film that celebrates all that is queer. By interviewing a group of people varying in age, ethnicity, and gender expression, Shraya highlights the diversity that exists within queer communities. Not quite content with that, a Tumblr page where people can submit their own answers, as well as a book, was created to show an even more complex picture of the diversity within queer communities.

As expected, what people chose to talk about was quite varied. One of the topics discussed was sex. For some, queer sex is central to their identity, and for others it is just one of many things they love about being queer. Some love the physical aspect of it while some love that the absence of normative expectations lets them personally define what queer sex means for them. A film where queer sex is unabashedly celebrated is both wonderful and needed because it is something that is rarely talked about, at least in a positive manner. It also shows that there is nothing wrong with enjoying or wanting sex if you are queer.

The celebratory nature of this film isn’t meant to take away from the challenges queer individuals face in their daily lives. It is important that we remember to acknowledge these struggles. Queer sex is often demonized, condemned, and seen as unnatural. In order to change cultural attitude around queer sex we need to change the structures that support these attitudes. One way to make conversations around queer sex more positive would be to broaden sexual education programs beyond educating youth about sex for reproductive purposes. If instead, sex can be taught as something pleasurable it would only be natural to include topics such as queer sex and consent within the educational context.

In the discussion that followed the screening, Shraya said that he wants society to move beyond acceptance and tolerance, to strive towards celebration. With “What I LOVE About Being QUEER” he does exactly that, celebrating and connecting queer communities to each other while challenging mainstream narratives that surround queer identities. To explore, learn more about or take part in this project check out the “What I LOVE About Being QUEER” Tumblr and book. If you have time, make sure to check out more of Vivek Shraya’s amazing work.

Leadership/involvement opportunity:
Anti-discrimination Response Training Workshop Facilitator

The “Really?” Program is looking for facilitators to lead Anti-discriminatory Response Training (ART) workshops. ART workshops gives tools to members of the UBC community to intervene when they witness comments or behavior that targets others based on race,  gender, sexual orientation, ability and other distinctions.

Build skills while contributing to an inclusive living and learning environment at UBC. Facilitators will recieve 2 days of training. The deadline to apply is 5pm Monday September 22, 2014.

Job description and how to apply on the “Really?” campaign site.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On December 6, 1989, an armed man walked into an Engineering class at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. After he forced the men to leave, he said he hated feminists and started shooting the women in the class. Then he moved on and began shooting women throughout the school. At the end of his rampage, he had killed 14 women and himself.

This man believed that women were responsible for his failure to gain entrance to the school. He believed that feminists ruined his chances because of affirmative action in universities.

Every year at UBC we hold a memorial for the 14 women who lost their lives, as well as the countless women who have been victims of gender-based violence. Show your support.

Held at the Wayne and William Wright Engineering Design Centre, November 28, 12:30 – 2:00pm.

 

 

Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20 is a day to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia (the hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming people). The day aims to bring attention to the continued violence endured by the transgender community.

UBC Pride and The AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre are co-hosting the Trans* Day of Remembrance event at UBC.

12:00-4:00 – Candlelight vigil, resources, and community mural painting – SUB Main Concourse by The AMS Art Gallery

4:00-5:00 – Allyship discussion/workshop in SUB Partyroom. Please feel welcome to show up at The Partyroom at 4pm.

5:00-8:00 – Join SASC & Pride UBC for discussion, dialogue, food, lighting of candles, and community building – AMS Art Gallery

Accessibility: The AMS Art Gallery at The Student Union Building (SUB) is accessible by wheelchair and is a short distance from the bus loop.

Food: Food options will include Trans* Flag cupcakes (gluten free/vegan), and additional vegan/gluten free choices.

Contact: sasc@ams.ubc.ca or prideubc@gmail.com

Get involved on International Women’s Day

This Friday, March 8, is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women’s achievements, as well as highlight the needs and concerns of women at national, regional and global agendas. This year the Equity Ambassadors are celebrating women of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, sexualities, ages, classes, abilities and religious beliefs with a fun photo booth event.

They’re our bodies – why are we taught to critisize them?
Friday March 8, 10am-3pm
Irving K. Barber Learning (2nd floor)

Can’t make it on the day? Why not show your support for the principles of feminism by wearing an F’ word button, available from the Access & Diversity  office.

For more information, see the UBC Equity Advisors.

 

Call For Proposals – Intercultural U 2013

The Intercultural U 2013 Organizing Committee is inviting proposals for presentations related to intercultural understanding.

Intercultural U is an exciting, two-part event developed with the support of the UBC Equity Office, Access and Diversity, the Liu Institute for Global Issues, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. It will offer concurrent panel presentations in the afternoon Colloquium and fast-paced presentations in the PechaKucha format in the evening. In between the two events, we will have an opportunity to talk with each other and share dinner (dinner is provided.) We welcome submissions of academic work, community involvement or personal experiences on topics related to intercultural understanding.

Date of event: Friday, March 22, 2013 (Colloquium 1:00-5:00pm, Dinner provided 5:15-6:15pm, PechaKucha 6:15pm-8:30pm)

Place: Liu Institute for Global Issues, UBC Campus (Point Grey)

Deadline for proposals: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 by noon

Proposals are now being accepted for both the academic colloquium presentations and the PechaKucha presentations. For more information and to submit a proposal, please visit the Call for Proposals page. If you have any questions or would prefer this Call for Proposals in Word format, please contact Anne-Marie Long at am.long@ubc.ca or 604-822-4859.