Here is a quick look at the amazing line up of GenEq events in the Spring 2012 Semester.  Be sure to see our Events Calendar after January 17th, 2012 for the most up-to-date information on each event, and any additional events!

 

January

Ongoing        

EmpowerU Session for Incoming Students
Fulfill your Violence Prevention Education Requirement!  

For dates and times see http://geneq.berkeley.edu/EmpowerU

Thursday 1.19    

Women in the Mix: A Campus Women's Mixer 
4-6pm  
Unit 3 All Purpose Room - 2400 Durant Ave (between Dana and Telegraph) - Lower level

A chance for women to meet each other as well as women leaders from around campus within the first week of the semester. This event is aimed to help new women on campus to acclimate and find community here at Cal!

Co-sponsored by the Office of Student Development

Thursday 1.19    

Queer Au Lait: An LGBT Welcome Event
7-9pm 
MCC^

Kick off the Spring Semester with this LGBTQ community favorite!  In addition to coffee, tea and snacks, student organizations and campus departments will be tabling to help you connect with the groups and resources you're looking for!  Meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, check out the Multicultural Community Center space and more!

Cosponsored by over a dozen LGBT-focused and -related organizations!

Tuesday 1.24    

T-Cal:TransgenderandGenderNon-ConformingSpace Kick-Off 
5-6:30pm 
Email mboyce@berkeley.edu for location

T-Cal is a group that seeks to address the spectrum of gender and gender expression, especially for students, staff and faculty who may identify across the transgender spectrum at UCB. Join us for conversation, community, and resources!  Email Marisa at mboyce@berkeley.edu if you'd like more information about the space!

Wednesday 1.25    

Women's Chat Circle (monthly discussion group) 
5:30pm 
MCC*

This month's topic is Women in Politics.  Our 3 guest speakers (Prof. Anne Moses, Mills College, and representatives from California Women Lead) will discuss their involvement in politics, including any advice and stories about obstacles faced by women in this field.   Followed by Q&A.  Light refreshments

Wednesday 1.25    

V-Day Teach In: Congo, Haiti and Katrina 
7pm 
GenEq*

This year's Spotlight piece in the Vagina Monologues is about violence against women in the Congo, Haiti and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  The cast, crew and production team for this year's Vagina Monologues will lead a teach-in focusing on this topic.  More details to come!

Tuesday 1.31     

Stalking Awareness Workshop 
5-6pm

242 Chavez Student Center

Take Back the Night will host a workshop in honor of Stalking Awareness Month at their first meeting of the semester.

February

Wednesday 2.1

GenEq Open House 
4-6pm 
GenEq* 

Come check out what the Gender Equity Resource Center has to offer, (re)connect with community, eat some food, play some games, and start your semester off at THE Open House event of the semester!

Wednesday 2.1 

Gender, Sex, and Sexism Workshop 
7:30-9pm 
Location TBD

Hosted in the residence halls, this  interactive workshop that looks at gender discrimination and sexism.  It is geared for first year students who want to learn about information and resources as these issues can be difficult to navigate in a new environment and during a period of transition.

Thursday 2.2     

Out and About After College: Translating Involvement to Employment
A Career Panel with UC Berkeley Alum
7-9pm 
Location TBD

While undergraduate experiences ignite the spirit of social justice in many students, graduation can feel like a threat to that spirit. How can students navigate leaving university life while maintaining their commitment to social change within women’s and LGBT communities? How does their work within those communities as undergraduates translate into their post-undergraduate plans? What are options for those students who seek to continue their work after leaving Cal?

The Prism interns at GenEq (a cohort of leaders of women- and LGBTQ-focused organizations) present a panel that offers the perspectives of actual Berkeley alumni that were engaged in women’s and LGBT communities on campus that have gone on with their life trajectories in various ways. Through this event, we hope to illuminate how on-campus organizing and activism is directly in conversation with a number of post-graduation routes and to empower the Berkeley community to remain continually engaged with LGBT and women’s issues as a lifelong project. Panelists will speak to their own experiences then address audience questions.

Cosponsored by Cal Queer & Asian, PASS Gender and Sexuality Awareness Coordinator, Queer Straight Alliance and Delta Gamma.

Thursday-Saturday 2.9-11    

The Vagina Monologues
UC Berkeley's 11th Annual Production
Doors at 6pm, Show at 7pm 
Pauley Ballroom, MLK 
Buy tickets in advance - tabling on Upper Sproul 

The Vagina Monologues is a collection of monologues written by Eve Ensler after she interviewed 200 women about sex, relationships and violence against women.  The Vagina Monologues is a benefit production, which donates all proceeds to campus and local organizations working to end violence against women.  For more details see: http://vday.berkeley.edu

Thursday 2.16   

Audre Lorde's Birthday Party 
5pm 
MCC^ 

Celebrate Audre Lorde's birthday with an opportunity to reflect on her work, art and life with a community of students, faculty and staff who have also been impacted and inspired by this amazing poet, activist and writer.  If you're not familiar with Audre Lorde, this is a great chance to get to know her!

Cosponsored by the Multicultural Community Center

Tuesday 2.21    

How We Won: Progressive Lessons from the Repeal of 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell'
Presentation and Discussion with Author, Aaron Belkin
5pm 
Location TBD

Aaron Belkin is an Associate Professor of Political Science at San Francisco State University and founder of the Palm Center which is "a leader in commissioning and disseminating research in the areas of gender, sexuality and the military."  In How We Won Belkin share an insider's perspective on the strategies that he and others used to encourage the change of mind - and change of heart - in the American people and its Congress that lead to the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," the 17-year ban on gay men and lesbians serving in the US military. 

Cosponsored by Cal Veterans Student Services.

TBD                     

Queering the Gaps: Resistance and Accountability
Time and Location TBD

A workshop calling attention to accountability, privilege and solidarity insofar as examining how work around queer men of color and queer masculinities of color tie to the works of women of color feminists and what transforming masculinity while maintaining accountability to privilege and other communities looks like.  More details to come!

Cosponsored by the Multicultural Community Center.

March

All Month

Women's History and Empowerment Month

What do “women’s history” and “women’s empowerment” actually mean, and why do we take a whole month to focus on them? Women’s history includes both current and past struggles, actions, and contributions of women, many of which are not recorded or noticed because of sexist historiography: society has tended to focus on the actions of men more than those of other genders.  Women’s empowerment is about recovering women’s internal strength from the negative effects of sexism, in areas including athleticism, trust in women’s expertise, ownership of one’s body, sexuality, family roles, employment, and so much more.  

WHEM engages women and allies in conversation and action for women in our own community, creating a more supportive environment for all of us. Keep your eye out for a special Women's History and Empowerment Month calendar, and let cici (ambrosio@berkeley.edu) know if you're interested in helping plan!

Thursday 3.1    

Dr. Louann Brinzendine: The Female and Male Brains

5-7pm

Multicultural Community Center (MCC), 200 MLK Jr Student Union

Dr. Louann Brizendinewill be speaking about her two books "The Male Brain" and "The Female Brain" (http://drlouann.ning.com/) which focus on the role of male and female neurobiology, especially hormones, in our behaviors.   Dr. Brizendine is a neuropsychiatrist whose research concerns women's moods and hormones, the Benioff endowed chair of Psychiatry at UCSF and is the Director of the Women's Mood and Hormone Clinic at UCSF. She founded the Clinic in 1994 after graduating from UC Berkeley in Neurobiology, attending the Yale School of Medicine and completing a residency in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. The Women's Mood and Hormone Clinic is a psychiatric clinic designed to assess and treat women of all ages experiencing disruption of mood, energy, anxiety, sexual function and well-being due to hormonal influences on the brain. 

Friday 3.2

On Revolution: A Conversation with Grace Lee Boggs and Angela Davis
4:00-6:00pm
Pauley Ballroom

Kick-off event for the Empowering Women of Color Conference featuring iconic women of color figures, Grace Lee Boggs and Angela Davis

Saturday 3.3    

Empowering Women of Color Conference (EWOCC)
all day
MLK Student Union

EWOCC builds bridges between academic and community women of color in an effort to assist them in sharing resources, strategies, and visions that will empower them at all levels of society. The Conference also strives to build networks among different generations, ethnic and racial groups, socioeconomic levels, sexual orientations, and physical abilities. More details to come!

EWOCC is coordinated by the Women of Color Initiative of the Graduate Assembly.

ewocc.berkeley.edu

Thursday 3.8    

Women in Mariachi Panel & Performance 
6:30-8:30pm 
Multicultural Community Center (MCC), 200 MLK Jr. Student Union

As part of International Latina Day and International Women’s Day, a panel of musicians and scholars will talk about the role of women in Mariachi groups.

Co-sponsored with Chicana/Latino Student Development

Friday 3.9         

Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day

Friday 3.9        

Night of Cultural Resistance (NOCR)
6pm
MCC^

In a desire to commemorate the spirit of resistance and cross-cultural collaboration that fueled the student struggles of 1969 and 1999, CCSD/TWLC created the Night of Cultural Resistance (NoCR) in an attempt to create a cross-cultural understanding of a shared history of struggle that informs movements for liberation and equal rights. NoCR was created with the hope of uniting peoples of all races, cultures, nations, and sexual orientations.  More details to come!

NOCR is coordinated by the Multicultural Community Center. 

Saturday 3.10  

Rainbow Flow Yoga Workshop
2pm
Groove Yoga, 2240 Oxford St

Come join us for a fabulous night celebrating diversity and the LGBT community, where Yoga Belly meets Lady YoGa-Ga. Rainbow Flow puts a clubby spin on yoga complete with dance music for the club kids at heart. Be prepared to sweat and have a ball, a shiny disco ball. All levels are welcome.  Suggested donation $20, or give what you can.

With staff from Yoga Belly Studio, Mountain View, Ca.  All donations for the workshop benefit the Gender Equity Resource Center!!

Tuesday 3.13  

Miss Representation Screening
TBD
2050 VLSB

Miss Representation premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and aired on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in October.  The film explores how the media’s misrepresentation of women has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. For more information about the film please see www.missrepresentation.org.

Co-sponsored with WICSE and Women In Leadership/Haas

Friday 3.16     

T'Aint Nobody's Business: Queer Blues Divas of the 1920s  
Screening and Discussion with Director, Robert Philipson
6pm 
MCC^

The 1920s saw a revolution in technology, the advent of the recording industry, that created the first class of African-American women to sing their way to fame and fortune. Blues divas such as Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Alberta Hunter created and promoted a working-class vision of blues life that provided an alternative to the Victorian gentility of middle-class manners. In their lives and music, blues women presented themselves as strong, independent women who lived hard lives and were unapologetic about their unconventional choices in clothes, recreational activities, and bed partners. Blues singers disseminated a Black feminism that celebrated emotional resilience and sexual pleasure, no matter the source. ~ Robert Philipson, Director

Cosponsored by the Multicultural Community Center.

April

Tuesday 4.3

LGBT & Women's Issues in ASUC Elections
5pm
GenEq*

This will be a great chance to meet ASUC candidates, and their plans to effectively represent the LGBT and women's communities on campus. Bring your questions, concerns, comments and friends!  If you are a candidate interested in participating in the forum, please contact Marisa at mboyce@berkeley.edu. All candidates are welcome to attend!

Thursday 4.5

Emily May, founder of Hollaback! 
6:30-8:30pm 
2050VLSB

Hollaback! is a movement dedicated to ending street harassment using mobile technology. Street harassment is one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence and one of the least legislated against.  Emily May will talk about this movement and how you have the power to end street harassment in your community!

Monday-Friday 4.9-13

Sexual Assault Awareness Week (Clothesline Project, White Ribbon Campaign and These Hands Don't Hurt)

Tuesday 4.10

"You, Me and the Fruit Trees"
6-8pm 
TBD

Child Sexual Abuse Panel & Film Preview of "You, Me and the Fruit Trees" moderated by local filmaker, Tracey Quezada.

Thursday 4.12

Take Back the Night 
5-7pm 
Upper Sproul

TBTN is A Night of Empowerment Against Sexual and Relationship Violence at UC Berkeley.  TBTN is a safe and brave space of healing and support.  TBTN is a movement to break the silence on violence through art-- visual art, singing, dancing, acting, poetry, spoken word, and speech.  TBTN is a safe and brave space of healing and support and a movement to break the silence on violence through art-- visual art, singing, dancing, acting, poetry, spoken word, and speech.

Monday-Friday 4.16-4.27

Queer Awareness Days

During Queer Awareness Days student organizations and campus departments put on events, conduct workshops, throw parties, organize conferences and work on projects to increase the visibility of LGBTQ communities on campus, cultivate straight and cisgender allies, educate within LGBTQ communities about our many identities and intersections, and celebrate!  Keep your eye out for a special Queer Awareness Day calendar, and let Marisa (mboyce@berkeley.edu) know if you're interested in helping plan!

Wednesday 4.25

GenEq BEAM (Berkeley Empowerment and AntiViolence Movement) Internship Infosession 
4-5pm 
GenEq*

Passionate about women's issues, LGBT issues and/or ending sexual and relationship violence?  Come learn about internship opportunities at GenEq, which include positions like Spectrum Peer Educators (who lead workshops for student groups, De-Cals and more), Program Assistants (who plan and execute GenEq events and projects) and others!  Join a community of students and staff who are committed to creating change on campus and beyond!  For more information about internships see http://geneq.berkeley.edu/internships.

Friday 4.27

11th Annual Lavender Graduation Celebration
6-8:30pm
Alumni House

Join us as we celebrate the end of another year at Cal and bid farewell to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer graduating seniors, graduate students, and allies. Celebration includes student, faculty and staff speakers, performances and a reception.  Keep your eye out for an RSVP in April!

Monthly Discussion Groups

ENVISION:White Anti-Racist Network @ GenEq
A space for white students, staff and faculty at Cal to discuss race and whiteness in queer and women’s communities.

M^3: Men, Masculinity and Manhood - NEW! 
A space for men to talk about masculinity and manhood.

QPOC Together: Queer People of Color Together
 A monthly community forum and chill space for queer-identified students of color at UC Berkeley.

Women's Chat Circle
A monthly discussion space for women and women of color on different topics each month.

For info, go to http://geneq.berkeley.edu/discussiongroups

* 202 Chavez Center 
^ Multicultural Community Center, 200 MLK