Our Crowdfunding Groups
“As your average overly involved college kid, I managed to see a lot of different programs come in and out of RPI. I can safely say that the Lavender Graduation will stick in my mind as one of the most memorable events that I have attended. While I have been involved with the LGBTQ community on campus during my entire undergraduate career, this event is unique with its intent and purpose. It was amazing to see so many respected faculty and staff members take time to celebrate this special time in our lives. The event was especially important to me since my mentor from the LGBTQ Mentoring Network program was there and reminded me of how far I had come since my time as a freshman. Although I’ve graduated, I’m very much looking forward to hearing about the future success of the program and supporting it to be even better in the future.” — Conrad Mossl '17
Your gift will help support our Spring 2018 events, which will include an EMPAC performance in April, a dinner and discussion community roundtable later in April, and the Lavender Graduation in May.
We will be hosting New York City-based performer Ni’Ja Whitson to do a dance performance in EMPAC that reflects on the 1989 Marlon T. Riggs documentary, Tongues Untied, about the Black Gay Male experience. The performance will be followed by a reception in Evelyn’s Cafe, hosted by the Rensselaer LGBTQ Task Force. Gifts will help to support refreshments and materials fees.
We are hosting a Dinner & Dialogue community roundtable on the topics of racism within the LGBTQ community, issues of power/oppression in art and performance, the role of EMPAC for the queer and minority communities on campus, and issues of intersectionality with queer and minority identities.
Gifts will also help support the production of the second annual Lavender Graduation, which will honor several graduating LGBTQ+ students. The event serves as an opportunity to celebrate their achievements, and to recognize individual students, faculty, staff, and alumni for their contributions to the campus community.
Through increased funding, the LGBTQ Task Force will be able to provide more educational opportunities—workshops and programs—that bring awareness and training to the greater community. The LGBTQ Task Force brings awareness of the LGBTQ community, provides education for the greater RPI community, and creates an environment of care and support for the LGBTQ individuals on campus. Specifically, there are initiatives being introduced and championed that better support transgender and gender non-binary students and their unique needs around gender identity and expression, including safety. Through education, we will strive to create a more open, accepting, and inclusive community for LGBTQ people, which contributes to the diverse and rich quilt of diversity that enhances community members' experiences.
