Share messages of support, welcome and solidarity from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. in the Luann Dummer Center for Women (OEC 103). Mini-discussion events will be offered throughout the day. Food also will be available throughout the day.

The day’s events are co-sponsored by: School of Social Work, Students Affairs, Luann Dummer Center for Women, College of Arts and Sciences, Dougherty Family College, LGBTQ+ and Allies faculty/staff group, Queer Straight Alliance, and Office for Service & Social Justice in the Center for Campus Ministry.

People can drop by for safe space and post words of support on large boards. Mini-lectures and conversations led by a variety of people will occur throughout the day. Support buttons will be available: rainbow, QSA, and “Are You Sure You Know My Gender?”

Tentative Schedule for mini-lectures or conversations

11 AM   Roxanne Prichard, Psychology, “The Science of Sex and Gender” 

12 PM  Sarah Schmalenberger, Music, “Music By the LGBTQ+ Composers: A Historical Perspective” 

1 PM   Kurt Illig, Biology, “Ask a Neuroscientist”

2 PM Sue Myers, Theology and WMST, "What the Bible Really Says about Gender"

3 PM Liz Wilkinson and Kerry Kraemer, English, “Indigenous perspective on Gender and Sexuality”

4 PM Emily Erickson, Student Affairs, “Supporting Trans and Queer Members of the Community, Especially Survivors of Sexual Violence” 

5 PM Debra Broderick and Steve Maurer, Counseling, “Open Topic: Supportive Conversation”

Evening Program: “Gender, Sexuality, and the Reality of Creation: Academic Perspectives”

7:30-9:00 PM (Dorsey Way in the Anderson Student Center, followed by dessert/refreshment)

This part will focus on the academic expertise of our own faculty in various disciplines: psychology, biology, sociology, theology, English, and Women's Studies. We will have a panel of five speakers, with each given 7-10 minutes, followed by at least 30 minutes for whole group discussion. We will have two moderators and some mindfulness activities throughout the program. We want people in the audience who are willing to talk about the topics from their own standpoint, experience and expertise, but we needed to have a way to focus this particular 90 minutes. We want a program that will be inclusive and supportive of our faculty and staff. The program will be free and open to the public, like the Women’s History Month Speaker events. 

The tentative line-up of speakers: 

Moderators: Cara Anthony (Theology) and Jill Manske (Health and Human Performance)

Corrine Carvalho, Theology, “Transgender Identity in the Old Testament: A Case Study in the Connection between Assumptions and Conclusions”

Young-ok An, English and Women’s Studies, “A Literary Perspective on the Biblical Creation Narrative: Milton, Wollstonecraft, and Beyond”

Colin Martin, Biology, talk title forthcoming

Lauren Braswell, Psychology, "Psychology Evolves in a Sociocultural Context: Progress Towards More Sensitive, Affirming, and Evidence-Based Care"

Lisa Waldner, Sociology and Family Studies, "Sociocultural Perspectives on Gender & Sexuality: A Social Constructivist Critique of Essentialism"