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AUGUST 2023 NEWSLETTER
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT
Congratulations, Gilbert Gonzales, PhD, MHA!
Join us in congratulating Gilbert Gonzales, PhD, MHA on receiving tenure! Professor Gilbert Gonzales is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Health & Society; the Department of Health Policy; and the Program for Public Policy Studies at Vanderbilt University. Professor Gonzales’ research examines how public policies affect health outcomes, access to care, and health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) populations. He also studies the role of health care reforms on low-income populations and vulnerable children and teaches courses in health policy, quantitative research methods, and LGBTQ+ health to undergraduate students at Vanderbilt University. He also mentors undergraduate, graduate, and medical students interested in LGBTQ+ health equity research.
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LGBTQI LIFE EVENTS
LGBTQIA+ Awareness Days
 Mark your calendar: Sunday, August 20th, 2023 is Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (SHAAD). Find out more here and on our Instagram.
KCPC Fall Semester Hours
 LGBTQI Life at the K.C. Potter Center is open Monday-Friday 8am-8pm and Saturdays 12-4pm. The KCPC is closed Sundays. If you would like to reserve the center for an event, please fill out this form.
8/24 Graduate Student Welcome Reception
 All new, returning, and transfer graduate students and postdocs are invited to a special Welcome Reception on August 31st beginning at 4pm in Alumni Hall.
8/28 Undergraduate Student Welcome at KCPC
 Bring your class or join us for our annual welcome reception for new and returning undergraduate student with rainbow cake and pancakes, indoors and outdoor games, pride giveaways, and more on Monday, August 28th from 2:00-4:00pm at the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life. Co-hosted by Lambda, Vanderbilt’s undergraduate LGBTQI+ student organization. RSVP here.
New Year, New Art at KCPC
 LGBTQI Life at the K.C. Potter Center is ready to update their artwork and we need you! We have several large and small frames available for a variety of displays, including pictures, artwork, poems, etc. Contact Katja Tetzlaff for more information.
CFT & LGTBQI Life: Queer Teaching, Queer Thriving
 The Center for Teaching and the K.C. Potter Center for LGBTQI Life are proud to offer a 2023-2024 learning community about ways campus educators may help LGBTQI+ students to thrive academically and socially. Professors and graduate students, find out more online or register here.
Wednesdays 12-1pm LGBTQI Life Zoom Drop-in Hours
 This Fall, 2SLGBTQIA+ and questioning students are invited to stop by virtual office hours with Katja Tetzlaff (they/them), Program Coordinator for LGBTQI Life. Please email Katja for more information and to access the Zoom link.
Gay Men Affinity Group: Looking For a Facilitator
 LGBTQI Life has received many requests for a Gay Men Affinity Group for students. If you know a faculty or staff member who may be interested, please have them contact lgbtqi@vanderbilt.edu.
Drop-in P.R.I.D.E. Training: September 14th
 Join us for a online Zoom P.R.I.D.E. Training on Thursday, September 14th from 5-8pm. All participants who complete the training will receive a Safe Space placard. Email katja.tetzlaff@vanderbilt.edu if you have any questions. Please RSVP here to receive link.
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 Follow us @VULGBTQILIFE to find out more about all of our events.
Want to be featured on our page? Fill out this form or contact Katja Tetzlaff for more information.
LGBTQI Life Programming Survey
 What do you need from us? Complete our short 3-minute survey to provide input on our LGBTQI Life events and programming.
TUTORING AND DROP-IN SERVICES
UCC LGBTQIA+ Drop-In Hours
Every Monday, 2pm – 4pm
 University Counseling Center has Drop-in Consultation Hours for LGBTQIA+ students at the KCPC. UCC Counselors will be available to students weekly without an appointment during this two hour window. You can find out more information here.
OSCC Drop-In Hours
Every Thursday, 10am – 12pm
 A LGBTQIA+-identified member of the Office of Student Care Coordination (OSCC) has weekly satellite hours in our space. Find out more about OSCC resources here.
Project Safe Drop-In Hours
Every Thursday, 2pm – 4pm
 Project Safe has weekly satellite hours in our space. Find out more Project Safe resources here.
LGBTQI Life Drop-in Hours @ BCC
Every Monday, 12pm -1pm
 A representative from LGBTQI Life will hold drop-in hours at the Black Cultural Center every Monday from 12-1pm.
LGBTQI Life Zoom Drop-in Hours
Every Wednesday, 12pm -1pm
A representative from LGBTQI Life will hold drop-in hours on Zoom every Wednesday from 12-1pm. Please email Katja for more information and to access the Zoom link.
VRS Pride Meetings
Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 12pm – 1pm
LGBTQI-identified people in recovery or currently struggling with habits that are ultimately detrimental to one’s wellbeing are invited to Vanderbilt Recovery Support group meetings at the Center for Student Wellbeing. Location: VRS Lounge, Center for Student Wellbeing, 1211 Stevenson Center Lane.
Continuum: LGBTQI+ Support Group
Every Thursday, 4-5:30pm (virtual)
Continuum is a group for students wishing to give and receive support around sexual identity and/or gender identity. If interested, please contact one of the following UCC staff members:
Kyle Shadrick at aaron.k.shadrick@vanderbilt.edu
Ashley Weber at ashley.c.weber@vanderbilt.edu
CAMPUS EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Inclusive Connector
To learn about news, events, and happenings related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, sign up for the Inclusive Connector. Please sign up here.
8/19 Black Student Welcome
 This year’s Black Student Welcome event will take place on August 19th between 2:15 PM and 4:00 pm. This event is an opportunity to Welcome incoming Black students to Vanderbilt. We welcome first year students, transfers, and incoming graduate students by introducing them to a supportive and vibrant community of current students, faculty, and staff. Find out more here.
8/24: The Multicultural Affair
 The Multicultural Affair on August 24th from 6-8pm is co-hosted by the Multicultural Leadership Council (MLC) and Residential Colleges. There will be performances from student groups, free food, and much more! RSVP here.
8/24 Fall Block Party
 Kick off the year by joining SCSJI at our Fall Block Party from 11am-2pm! Get to know local campus & community resources, enjoy good food, and dance the afternoon away! For any questions and/or additional information regarding accessibility or accommodations, please reach out to scsji@vanderbilt.edu. RSVP here.
8/25 2023 Student Involvement Fair
 The Student Involvement Fair is the perfect opportunity for incoming and returning students to connect with student leaders, discover organizations they might want to join, and become a part of a supportive community. This year, for the first time ever, the Involvement Fair will take place in the Recreation and Wellness Center!
We encourage you to stop by and connect with over 300 student organizations and university departments, enjoy some free swag, games, and meet members from the class of 2027 and other friends in the Vanderbilt Community. Connect with our campus community and see how you would like to get involved here.
Welcome Back Soul Food Luncheon
 Join the Black Cultural Center as we welcome new students and kick off the academic year with our Welcome Back Soul Food Luncheon! This luncheon will be an opportunity to meet new students and learn about some of the programs and events the BCC has planned for this year, all while eating a delicious soul food meal. Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Find out more here.
Survey: VU+ VUMC Menstrual Products Initiative
 A Vanderbilt medical student is working on a VU/VUMC campus initiative advocating for inclusive, gender-neutral language. Specifically, trying to change the signs on restroom waste bins from their current “Place feminine products here” and visuals of a stick figure in a dress, to a more inclusive label of “Place menstrual products here” with gender-neutral visuals. Please provide feedback about this initiative here.
Vanderbilt’s PRISM Queer Students of Color in STEM (QSOC-STEM) paid research study
PRISM (Power, Resistance & Identity in STEM Education) research lab is recruiting for a paid research opportunity. Undergraduate Black, Latinx, and Asian LGBTQ+ students pursuing STEM majors at Vanderbilt can express their interest as a participant by going the recruitment form. Student participants will be paid $20/hour in online Amazon gift cards.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
8/8 Housing Navigation – A Nashville Launch Pad Education Event
 Join us Tuesday, August 8th from 6-7:30pm for the second installment of Nashville Launch Pad’s educational series: Housing Navigation. RSVP here.
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This group is a place for employees who identify as LGBTQIA+ and their allies. The LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, known as the Glammadores, will host regular meetings aimed at providing resources for LGBTQIA+ employees and allies, including social networking, meetups, guest speakers, support navigating workplace interactions and more. For more information or to join, contact 
The Bi/Pan/Fluid affinity group provides a supportive and brave space for people who want to explore bi/pan/fluid or otherwise non-straight/non-heterosexual identities and experiences. Join us for conversation, exploration, and fun! Connect 
BlackOut is an affinity group that facilitates the coming together of black LGBTQIA+ members of the Vanderbilt community in order to provide support and share space and experiences. BlackOut is co-sponsored by The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center. Connect 
The Queer and Asian (Q&A) affinity group provides space for students who are LGBTQIA2S+ and Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander. Join us for resources, conversation, and fun! Connect 
Willow provides an affirming, open space for women, women-aligned people, and lesbians attracted to other women, women-aligned people, and lesbians to discuss their experiences, share resources, and find a focused, supportive community where their identities are centered. Join us for meetings, movie nights, and more! Connect 
Plurality provides a brave space for LGBTQIA+ people who identify with or are practicing polyamory or consensual non-monogamy. Plurality delves into the history, representations, and skills involved with polyamory and consensual non-monogamy. Join us for resources and discussions! Connect 
