First Year Experience at Fall Reception Kickoff Event, Though the Eyes Of
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 1, Issue 2 October 2012 First year experience at Fall Reception Inside this issue: By: Dominique Bryant matter how anyone there identified them- selves, I am confident that everyone felt Real Queer Film Series The preparation was hectic, the perfor- welcomed. Bebe Zahara’s performance was Assistant Director screens “reel” mance exciting, and the faces welcoming. I phenomenal. The only other time I’ve ever topics within the LGBTQ have never before experienced an event like experienced anything like her performance community in a new series pg. 3 this. In my opinion, this event allowed for was through a television screen. people to let down their natural defenses and genuinely interact with new people. Obviously live performances are much dif- ferent and the energy she brought exploded Liaison Spotlights Generally speaking, when individuals are off of the stage. As a first time worker for Focusing on different liaisons each in an environment where they don’t feel the Center, and first year student, I am ex- month, we interview a newcommer comfortable they’re afraid to be themselves. cited to see what awaits my future as I con- as well as a seasoned liaison. pg.4 tinue to work with the Center and being a I truly believe that there was no level of part of these events at Rutgers. discomfort at the Reception that night. No Red Arts Series Generation trouble kicks-off a three part series on AIDS in the arts. pg. 6 RU Ally Week Introduction of RU Ally Week, an initiative meant to highlight the community of social justice allies at Rutgers. pg.8 Kickoff event, though the eyes of an veteran Liaison By: AnnMarie Burg We host a variety of performers each year the past two years. Each year, the Fall Re- – from acapella singers to sword swallow- ception surpasses the former year’s atten- When I began working here in 2010, I knew ers to drag queen performer, Bebe Zahara dance and events by leaps and bounds. very little about the Center and the support Benet. Each year the guest list gets more and resources it provided to our LGBTQA exciting, the space more decorative and the I’m excited to see how social media tech- students and allies – I learned quickly and thrill goes on and on. niques have created a huge outreach to our it’s been an amazing journey. students, Rutgers staff and the community. The Fall Reception is not only a fun event This outreach, in turn, raises the visibil- One of my favorite responsibilities is to as- for all, but it is a time where we update ev- ity, communication and connection to the sist in the planning and preparation of the eryone about the Center’s new resources Center. LGBTQA Fall Reception, scheduled at the and upcoming programs. We formally start of each fall semester. introduce the student groups and our new I am happy to see the increase in students and returning students mingle and new walking through our doors each day– it’s a This year, the LGBTQA Fall Reception had friendships begin. place for the students to establish friend- a record high attendance of over 325 stu- ships, learn, commiserate, and feel af- dents, staff and liaisons. I have seen much progress and growth over firmed. I am so pleased to be a part of it all. Programming for community and traditions: Our feature of the Film Series launches with Queer People of Color in mind By: Zaneta Rago films from queer and ally filmmakers which us our community wants more of these re- Center for Latino Arts and Culture’s own Silismar Suriel all focus on contemporary queer issues. sources as well. By: Benito Nieves On September 25th, the Rutgers Center for “In the [Latino/a] community, there is a Social Justice Education and LGBT Com- We were absolutely thrilled to have been Our second installment of RQFS, Criminal Common in the Latino/a culture, preserva- way of framing what some see as ‘doing munities, along with the Center for Latino able to co-sponsor this event with some of Queers, occurred last night and had a won- tion of family and tradition is essential; but, good by’ others. Take for example being Art and Culture, the Institute for Research our amazing partner organizations around derful turnout which created an enriching as students may experience during their de- LGBTQ in the Latino community. There is on Women, Health Outreach, Promotion the campus. dialogue around queer experiences in the velopment years, preservation can be com- this concern some have about whether that and Education and LLEGO: for LGBTQ Prison Industrial Complex. plex. In her work with student groups and identity disrespects the family, even the ex- students of color and allies, welcomed Dr. September 15th to October 15th is Latino/a their programming initiatives, Silismar Su- tended family; or whether it represents reli- Celiany Rivera-Velazquez to campus for Heritage month at Rutgers, and creat- We hope that you join us for our last film riel, Program Coordinator in the Center for gious compliance, demonstrates masculin- our first Reel Queer Film Series. ing forums for LGBTQ people of color to screening, Diagnosing Difference, dur- Latino Arts and Culture (CLAC), faces two ity, or fits into one of the bubbles formed in share their stories is absolutely central to ing November’s TransWeek. If you have a seemingly contrastive, prevalent values: urban communities. For some students, it’s The Reel Queer Film series is a brand new the work that we do at SJE. We had almost film you would like to see from the center, foundation and intersection. While pro- difficult to identify with the Latino commu- monthly installment series of cutting edge 60 people attend the event, which shows please email us as [email protected]. grams uniting students may be based on a nity, when an LGBTQ identify intersects,” core foundation, like civility or sisterhood, regrets Suriel. an individual experiences this in relation to their own identity. Suriel, in the past decade Even within LGBTQ communities, Suriel of advising student groups – culture, Greek notices a pressing expectation of what stu- letter, faith, professional, and governance dents want from their peer leaders, such based – has witnessed the struggles and as being “out” about their queer identity. best practices of finding co-existence be- As she warns, some students cannot afford and resources our university offers. Rather tween foundation and intersection. such spotlight, based on the consequence than deter this, we started training students of family disapproval, disowning, and ces- on the skills needed for these conversa- “A shift has occurred in the last four to five sation of financial support. tions. We also encourage them to seek col- years,” observes Suriel. “We understand laboration with offices like CAPS and the more and more what it takes to be a com- To combat these conflicts, Suriel utilizes VPVA office.” munity. Our language is changing, for re- her professional focus on programming as a spect. Our acceptance for who makes up way to bridge communities and help foster Responding to change in the community is our community is growing; and that accep- cross-cultural education. Though, she rec- a strength of the CLAC team, identifies Su- tance is increasingly visible.” ognizes a growing pattern with inter-peer riel. As some intersections become increas- dependence. As issues shift to more serious ingly visible in spaces where foundations Suriel currently advises the Latino Student and intimate identity focuses, students are are prevalent, the office helps to minimize Council; Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Incor- relying on each other for advice. resistance and foster solidarity. porated; LAWO - Latin American Womyn’s Organization; Sociedad Estudiantil Do- “Our student communities are growing Suriel invites, “We want more program- minicana; and LLEGO - the LGBTQQIA closer, and we want this,” begins Suriel. ming collaborations, especially those with Calling all Knights, LLEGO invites you to their nights “Our student leaders are on the front lines, People of Color Union at Rutgers. In her intention! We don’t want to tell students group football. “chosen” family, and the upcoming QPoC and when serious issues arise in conver- By: Benito Nieves work with student group executive officers, they can keep those [Latino/a] traditions Reception in the Red Lion Café at the Rut- the dialog on Latino/a identity formation is sation, [those students] are the ones their and adopt new insight into who practices The Queer People of Color (QPoC) are mo- “We went back and forth between formats gers Student Center, Tuesday, October 16, ongoing, and urgent. peers turn to, despite the programs, offices, them; we want them to experience it.” bilizing! LLEGO – the LGBTQQIA People for our meetings,” shares executive board at 7:30 p.m. of Color Union at Rutgers – are back for member, Em Kay. “This one just seemed another academic year and are inviting you to stick.” Kay, the liaison between LLEGO LLEGO is proactive about supporting to join their meetings. The group organizes and the Asian American Student Council, members of the community, especially every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Center for joins team members Allison Kroeper, Brian those within other student groups. Chap- Latino Arts and Culture, near the Rutgers Robles, Jade Carcamo, Jay Chopra, Nomin man, the executive board’s most senior Student Center. Ujiyediin, Salan Chapman, Shantae Bedas- member, reflects on what she has observed sie, and Shia Cutis in unifying the QPoC over the years as crucial community point. LLEGO is governed by nine diverse execu- community and allies by utilizing collab- “My message for everyone, everyone, is tive board members, all of whom share an orative programming and advocacy.