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Forum to Address Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Bullying Issues
UC Partners with Sen. Gillibrand, Planned Parenthood
Written By Avion Ashton '12, PR Intern
Event part of "16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence"
Contact - cleogrande@utica.edu
Utica, NY (11/23/2010) - Utica College will collaborate with Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson, Inc. (PPMH) and the office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to host a community forum on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. The “Community Forum on Bullying and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) Youth” will be held in the Ellen Knower Clarke Lounge, Strebel Student Center at Utica College.The event is part of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” initiative and focuses on bullying and its impact on the LGBT youth.
“Bullying is an ongoing issue and this forum is an opportunity to talk about what causes bullying, the impact on youth and how to intervene and stop bullying,” said Alane Varga, associate dean of students and event organizer.
“The event is a natural partnership that facilitates PPMH’s initiative to reach out and provide education and support services around sexual orientation and gender identity,” Varga said. “PPMH, the senator and the college share common goals to foster understanding and eliminate bullying.”
The forum entails a welcome address, discussion panel, Q&A segment, a reception and informational tables, and features specialized segments that will discuss federal legislative updates, state legislative updates, the impact of bullying, bullying in high schools, transphobic bullying and experiences of transgender students.
The discussion panel will include Darren Cosgrove, LGBT program coordinator for PPMH; Colleen Deacon and Jon Reinish, regional director and special projects manager from Senator Gillibrand’s office. The panel also includes LBGT/bullying experts, youth representatives and educators Kelly Wolfe, After Schools Program Manager, and Bobbi Williams, professional writer, founder of the Central Texas Transgender Society, member of the National Coalition for LBGT Health and board member of Rainbow Access Initiative.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5 p.m. with the forum to follow at 5:30 p.m.
The community forum is sponsored by student organizations at Utica College along with Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson Inc. and the office of Senator Kristen E. Gillibrand. Organizations included in the program are: Trevor Project; Gay Lesbian and Straight Educators Network (GLSEN); NYCLU; Empire State Pride Agenda; Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson; and the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley. Student organizations include Psych-Child Life Society, Open Moments, Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Omega Phi Beta, Chi Upsilon Sigma, the Womyn’s Resource Center and UC PRIDE.
For more information contact Varga at (315) 792- 3100 or e-mail avarga@utica.edu or contact Deacon at (315) 448-0470 or e-mail Colleen_Deacon@Gillibrand.Senate.Gov.
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About Utica College – Utica College, founded in 1946, is a comprehensive private institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The College, located in upstate central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls approximately 3,500 students in 37 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, 22 master’s and two doctoral degree programs.
