University News
Transgender Awareness Week
November 7, 2012
MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University's LGBTQA Resource Center will celebrate Transgender Awareness Week Monday-Thursday, Nov. 12-15 with a variety of activities to raise awareness for transgendered issues.
The week kicks off with a panel discussion Monday, Nov. 12 "Trans* in the Media," at 7 p.m. in the University Union Fox Room. Two WIU students and a member of the Macomb community will discuss their stories and explain the issues they've faced due to their trans identity. The discussion will also feature clips illustrating how the media portrays the trans community, and there will be a question-and-answer session.
A health care discussion will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 in the Union Sandburg Lounge. Staff from the University Counseling Center and Beu Health Center, as well a representative from the insurance industry, will discuss health care issues facing the trans community, as well as available resources.
Beginning at 8 p.m. the movie "Boys Don't Cry" will be shown in the Union Fox Room, followed by a discussion. "Boys Don't Cry," starring Hillary Swank, focuses on the life of Brandon Teena, a transgendered teen who preferred life in a male identity until it was discovered he was born biologically female.
The week's activities wrap up at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15 with a Transgender Day of Remembrance in the Union Sandburg Lounge. Trans-identified individuals will share their stories, and a candlelight vigil will be held to remember those who have been killed or targeted by acts of transphobia and violence.
For more information or to request accommodations, contact the LGBTQA Resource Center at (309) 298-4004 or email Sara Dam at SL-Dam@wiu.edu.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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