UNF LGBT Resource Center Hosts Awareness Days

Joanna Norris, Associate Director 

Department of Public Relations 

(904) 620-2102 

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center at the University of North Florida is hosting LGBTQ Awareness Days Monday, Jan. 24, through Thursday, Jan. 27. The awareness educational programs are designed to increase education regarding gender and sexuality as well as increase visibility of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally communities on campus. 

 Activities for LGBTQ Awareness Days are as follows:  

“Fearless”: Monday, Jan. 24, 3 p.m., Student Union, Building 58W, Ballroom D—Photographer Jeff Sheng will discuss his “Fearless” exhibit, which includes more than 100 athletes from across the United States and Canada and has been displayed at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. He started his photography exhibit in 2003 to document high school and collegiate athletes who openly self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and are ‘out’ to their teammates and coaches. The exhibit will be on display in the Thomas G. Carpenter Library, Building 12, from Monday, Jan. 24, until Friday, Feb. 25, during normal operating hours from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Sunday. 

“Gay? Fine by Me”: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 11 a.m. to 2 pm., Student Union Osprey Plaza—The “Gay? Fine by Me” T-shirt campaign, which began at UNF in 2007, brings visibility to allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The campaign has distributed more than 1,200 T-shirts to campus supporters in the past three years. This year, the UNF LGBT Resource Center will be giving out more than 450 shirts to students, faculty and staff. 

“Bullied” Documentary: Tuesday, Jan. 25, 6 p.m., Robinson Theatre—“Bullied”is a documentary film that chronicles one student’s ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies, offering an inspiring message of hope to those fighting harassment today. The UNF LGBT Resource Center will have a question-and-answer segment following the documentary.  

Free Anonymous HIV Testing: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 1 to 3 p.m., Student Union, Building 58E, Room 1111—Know your status and get tested. HIV testing is sponsored by UNF Health Promotions and the UNF LGBT Resource Center. Open to UNF students, faculty and staff only. 

“Queers in the Spotlight”: Wednesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m., Student Union, Building 58W, Room 3804—Living with Pride is a discussion series on healthy living for the LGBT and ally communities. This week, the topic will be “Queers in the Spotlight” to discuss media portrayals of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.  

“Out in the Workplace”: Thursday, Jan. 27, Noon, Student Union, Building 58W, North Star Board Room—Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender employees face a different set of challenges when it comes to being ‘out’ in the workplace. The choice to ‘come out’ or to ‘live openly’ about their sexuality or gender orientation can pose risks of safety, discrimination and job security. A panel of LGBT professionals in Jacksonville will speak with students about career and professional concerns as well as their personal experiences of being ‘out’ in the workplace. This event is sponsored by UNF Career Services and the UNF LGBT Resource Center. 

For more information about LGBTQ Awareness Days, contact Natalie Nguyen at (904) 620-5197 or at  natalie.nguyen@unf.edu. 

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