Gender Freedom Day, Apr 14

From the University of Minnesota GLBTA Programs Office.

The Transgender Commission has declared Wednesday, April 14, 2010 to be University of Minnesota Gender Freedom Day. We hope it is a day where we can openly consider & celebrate the ways in which we all benefit from expanding the possibilities of how we can express our femininity, our masculinity, and our ways of being and being gendered that transcend those concepts. (We hope we can do this all year, but we’ve chosen April 14 as a day of intentional visibility.)

We are organizing/sponsoring three events on April 14, staffing an information table in Coffman Union, and encouraging people/offices/classes/organizations/depts to look at their work through a gender justice lens. One important question to ask yourself and your group on Gender Freedom Day might be:

“What would it be like if you felt completely free to express yourself, your body and your gender without any consequences, restraints or limits? How would the world change along with this freedom?”

Film + Discussion: Against A Trans Narrative
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Appleby Hall 103
FREE PIZZA!

Trans filmmaker Jules Rosskam’s against a trans narrative is a provocative and personal experimental documentary investigating dominant constructions of trans-masculine identity, gender, and the nature of community. The film employs a gender-busting combination of intimate diary footage, stylized dramatic scenes, spoken word performance, faux audition tapes, and roundtable interview footage to explore & initiate a dialogue between feminists, queers, and transfolk about the way we construct personal and historical narratives. Careful attention is paid to the ways generation, race, class, and culture impact our understandings of gender. Trans Commission member Tara will facilitate a learning circle-style discussion following the film. Pizza and soda will be served!

Sing & Dance
3:00 PM (be on time!)
East Bank Mall Area, In front of Walter Library

We strongly encourage you to join the Gender Freedom Collective for a spontaneous song & dance in the middle of the Mall Area. Wear whatever makes you feel fabulous and come feel pretty with us! It will only take a few minutes, but the sense of fabulousness & freedom you feel will last all day!

Go here for all the glittery details:
gfctc.blogspot.com
facebook.com/event.php?eid=107023932666496

Genderheads: Envisioning Gender Freedom
4:00-6:00 PM
Coffman Union 324
FREE FOOD!

Trans Commission member Alex will facilitate a Genderheads discussion about “envisioning gender freedom.” How do you feel about gender freedom and what does it mean to you? Is it something you desire or that you feel ambivalent about? How do your experiences and identities affect your vision of gender freedom? Does the idea of gender freedom have an impact on our communities? Does this differ across communities? Come, eat some food and discuss your vision of gender freedom in a safer and inclusive environment.

Information Table: Coffman Union Ground Floor
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Stop by our table near the food court in Coffman Union between 11:00-2:30 to get information about University of Minnesota and Twin Cities gender liberation/equity organizations and events, and participate in interactive questions about what gender freedom means to you and on our campus.

Gender Freedom Art Showcase!
Now Showing: April 5 – May 6
Appleby Hall Ground Floor Display

The GLBTA Programs Office and the Transgender Commission are displaying selected gender freedom artwork in Appleby Hall (near the north ground floor entrance) during the month of April. As a finale, the artwork will be displayed at the annual Lavender Celebration & Awards Ceremony on Thurs, May 6, in Coffman Union. If you would still like to submit artwork for the showcase, please contact glbta@umn.edu.

Transgender Cabaret at Patrick’s Cabaret, Mar 19-20

PATRiCK’S CABARET PRESENTS…
TRANSGENDER CABARET

March 19th & 20th @ 8PM
3010 Minnehaha Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Tickets $10 at the door; $8 in advance from artists

FEATURiNG:
Spoken Word with Ali Sands
Performance Art by Vas Littlecrow
Hip-hop Artist Heidi Barton Stink
Spoken Word with Enzi Tanner
Hip-hop Dance by Taiyo & Xavier

Obama Names First Transgender Presidential Appointee

This is kind of old news, but in case you didn’t know.

At Care2.com:

Amanda Simpson has become the first transgender person to be appointed to a position by the President of the United States. President Obama announced Simpson as his pick for Technical Advisor under the Department of Commerce.

Simpson has worked in the aerospace and defense industry for 30 years, and is a certified flight instructor and test pilot with over 20 years of experience. At her last position at Raytheon Missile Systems, she successfully pushed the company to include gender identity and expression under its equal employment opportunity policy.

For your own sanity, don’t read the comments.