Penn State New Kensington is hosting a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Ally (LGBTA) Workshop from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in the campus Conference Center.
The workshop, “Providing a Welcoming Environment for LGBTA Individuals on Campus,” focuses on activities and discussions that will help participants to better understand students, staff and faculty who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally. Featured presenters are staff from the LGBTA Student Resource Center at Penn State University Park. Topics include understanding definitions, how to be an ally, and making your campus welcoming to the LGBTA community.
The free workshop is geared to faculty and staff at the New Kensington campus. Lunch will be provided.
The event is co-sponsored by the LGBTA Student Resource Center and the Diversity Committee at the New Kensington campus. The center provides programming, education, information and advocacy services to create and maintain an open, safe, and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students at Penn State.
“Our hope is to create an environment on campus where all students can be successful, feel comfortable and valued as a contributing member of the Penn State community,” said Theresa Bonk, director of student affairs at the campus. “An important piece of making that happen is to ensure that faculty and staff have a greater understanding of the challenges that the LGBT community members and their allies face each day."
In addition to promoting diversity, the campus committee has instituted a Safe Zone system for faculty and staff. Members of the Safe Zone undergo training in LGBTA issues and embrace an open door policy that provides support and information on matters regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.
To register for the event, call 724-334-6062 or arc1@psu.edu via email. Registration deadline is Oct. 31.
For more about the Penn State LGBTA Student Resource Center, visit http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/lgbta/.