ISU Alliance Blog

Hello Alliance blog buddies!

Next Thursday, October 11th is National Coming Out Day (NCOD).

Between the LGBTAA, the ISU Committee on Lectures, ISU's LGBT Student Services Office and SUB (Student Union Board), there is a week full of events that help you celebrate or support the COMING OUT process!

Check out our Google calendar and the information below and get excited for an awesomely fabulous week! It's like Pride Month.. in October! =)

Monday (10/8) :
10am to 4pm - It's Ok With Me T-Shirt Distribution
Location: Memorial Union
We'll be distributing the new It's Ok With Me t-shirts in the Memorial Union at the table on the south side of the staircase leading from the food court area to the M-Shop. Pre-order your shirt
by sending your size and number of shirts to itsokwithmeisu@gmail.com . See the It's Ok With Me section for more details.

7pm to 8:30pm - Workshop - Ally Training
Location: 2121 Martin Hall
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Student Services (LGBTSS) -- a unit of the Dean of Students Office at Iowa State University -- will present an engaging workshop that will give its participants the tools they need to be effective Allies to the LGBT community. Also come to learn how you can get involved with the LGBTSS office at ISU! (Co-sponsored by the LGBTA Alliance)


Tuesday (10/9) :
6pm - Film - In Good Conscience
Location: South Ballroom of the Memorial Union
8pm - Speaker - Sister Jeannine Gramick - "The Place of Gays and Lesbians in the Church"
Location: Sun Room of the Memorial Union
Co-sponsored by the Committee on Lectures and Belonging. In Good Conscience is a documentary film about the story of Sister Jeannine Gramick and her faith journey and battle with the Vatican over the rights of gay and lesbian Catholics. In 1999 the Vatican's Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith permanently prohibited her from any pastoral work with lesbian or gay persons. In 2000 the School Sisters of Notre Dame ordered her to cease speaking about the
Vatican investigation and about homosexuality in general. She transferred to the Sisters of Loretto in 2001 in order to continue engaging in lesbian/gay ministry.

We're excited to announce that - thanks to the efforts of ISU's Committee on Lectures and the local Catholic group Belonging - the amazing Sister Gramick will be at ISU speaking after the showing of In Good Conscience to address the topic of "The Place of Gays and Lesbians in the Church."

Wednesday (10/10):
8 - 9pm - Workshop - Coming Out 101 (How to Tell Your Story)
Location: 2121 Martin Hall
This interactive workshop -- put on by the Alliance -- will help you find the power in your personal story. Whether you're gay, bi, transgendered, or an ally-- your story can change the world. Come to get some great tips and maybe even sign up to speak and share your story at the National Coming Out Day Rally the following afternoon!

Thursday (10/11):
11am - 1pm - Rally! - National Coming Out Day Rally
Location: Free Speech Zone (just south of Parks Library)
Quite possibly the most exciting event of the week of National Coming Out Day activities, every year the rally draws a crowd of people to listen to speakers who care enough to speak up and speak out about any number of things: coming out, their vision for the LGBT community, or just words of encouragement and support. Whatever it is, the rally is a rewarding experience that is sure to recharge your passion for LGBT activism. Make sure to wear your It's Ok With Me t-shirts!

1pm - 3pm - Open House - LGBTSS Open House
Location: 1034 Student Services Building
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Student Services (LGBTSS) is a unit of the Dean of Students Office at Iowa State University and has a wealth of resources available to support LGBT and Allied students at Iowa State University. Following the National Coming Out Day Rally, there will be an open house in the
LGBTSS office and LGBTSS library to introduce people to the office staff and resources! Oh, and did we mention there will be free goodies?

8pm - Film - Brokeback Mountain
Location: Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union
SUB Films presents this screening of the film.
Synopsis: In 1963, two young men hire on as Wyoming ranch hands. During months of isolation, a bond develops. When the season ends, they part, only to realize the depth of their feelings. Thus begins a decades-long affair that the two try to hide, proving to be simultaneously beautiful and devastating.

Friday (10/12):
Noon - Launch Event - Lunch Discussion & Launch of MatthewsPlace.com
Location: 202 Carver
Bring your lunch and watch/discuss an online video stream from Judy Shepard to launch MatthewsPlace.com on the 9th Anniversary of her son's - Matthew Shepard's - passing. This launch is the beginning of a historical web resource and part of a critical discussion of disenfranchised LGBT youth. Co-sponsored by the LGBTSS and LGBTAA.