The U’s LGBT Resource Center is bringing in new programs and reinventing some of its older ones this year.
The programming features a greater emphasis on helping LGBTQ+ students and greater inclusiveness for those who identify with that community. Kiko Lian, the center’s training coordinator, said this is part of an effort to change their focus from straight, cisgender allies toward those who actually experience discrimination. One of these shifts is changing its annual “Ally Week” to “Action Week.”
“Allies are good, but the people who should be leading should be the ones who don’t have that justice or are oppressed in that way,” Lian said. “If we’re talking about trans liberation, trans people need to be in charge.”
Another shift away from allyship is the end of Safe Zone Training, which taught typically straight, white, cisgender people how to be conscious about LGBTQ+ topics, and replacing it with gender and sexuality workshops.
“[The trainings are] going to be a little more realistic about what we’re doing, which is facilitating a dialogue and learning about gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation or lack of sexual orientation or lack of gender expression,” Lian said.
The center will also provide training specifically for those in health care fields.
Lian said they are most excited for the new event “Queer Conversations.”
“With trainings and panels, a lot of this stuff is teaching straight and cisgender people about us. Whereas we also want to have conversations with us to tell our own stories and learn from each other,” Lian said. “I’m exited to be in a room with others that are like me who I don’t have to prove myself to or protect myself from.”
Lian said while the center is always trying to be more inclusive to everyone, particularly ostracized people in the wider community, they are not worried this new programming is exclusive to allies.
“We aren’t taking away any of the programs focused on teaching allies; we still have that vested interest,” Lian said. “No one is disallowed; we don’t queer-card anybody.”
Funding for these programs comes primarily from the U, supplemented by donations. People do not have to be students to attend programming and those who would like to get involved can sign up to volunteer with the center through their website — lgbt.utah.edu — and checking for upcoming events there, as well.
@Ehmannky