Office of LGBTQI Life
Two-day virtual event celebrates, supports Black trans faith community
Feb. 23, 2021—The co-editors of "The Black Trans Prayer Book," an interfaith collection of stories, poems, prayers, meditations and more about the experiences of trans and nonbinary Black people, were the featured guests during a two-day virtual event hosted by the Vanderbilt community.
Events centered on ‘The Black Trans Prayer Book’ set for Feb. 18–19
Feb. 12, 2021—A two-day virtual event Feb. 18–19 hosted by the Vanderbilt community will feature the creators of "The Black Trans Prayer Book," an interfaith collection of stories, poems, prayers, meditations and more about the experiences of Black trans and nonbinary people.
LGBTQI Life offers resources for asking about sexuality and gender in surveys and forms
Feb. 9, 2021—Collecting demographic information in ways that are inclusive to all identities is a positive step for any organization to make toward greater accuracy and equity. This guide from Vanderbilt's Office of LGBTQI Life offers a few specific ways to ask about gender and sexuality in ways that are respectful and inclusive.
Purcell to step down as director of LGBTQI Life; Nelson named interim director
Dec. 18, 2020—Chris Purcell, director of Vanderbilt’s Office of LGBTQI Life since 2013, will leave the position Dec. 31 to become assistant dean of students at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. Rob Nelson, assistant director of LGBTQI Life, will serve as the interim director while a national search is conducted to fill the role, William H. Robinson, vice provost for academic advancement and executive director of the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence, has announced.
Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence and identity centers’ fall programming supports VU community
Dec. 16, 2020—Vanderbilt’s Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence and identity centers coordinated a number of initiatives and events during the fall 2020 semester to support the university community—in particular, those members with systemically nondominant identities—amid the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing social and political unrest in the country.
Gender Affirmation Toolkit supports inclusivity for Vanderbilt employees
Dec. 3, 2020—Vanderbilt University has launched the Gender Affirmation Toolkit to reinforce its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive working environment for all employees. The toolkit was developed in collaboration with the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources, the Equal Opportunity and Access Office, the Office of LGBTQI Life and other campus partners.
Transgender Day of Remembrance virtual event is Nov. 20
Nov. 19, 2020—Vanderbilt community members are invited to attend an online vigil in honor of International Transgender Day of Remembrance on Friday, Nov. 20.
OIE and Identity Centers, Center for Student Wellbeing, UCC partner for election week programming Nov. 2–9
Nov. 2, 2020—The Office for Inclusive Excellence and Identity Centers are partnering with the University Counseling Center and Center for Student Wellbeing to provide the time and space for students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff to be in community with one another Nov. 2–9.
‘Stories of Intersex and Faith’: Vanderbilt to host film screening and discussion Oct. 26
Oct. 19, 2020—"Stories of Intersex and Faith," a documentary in which five intersex people offer insight into their extraordinary challenges, will be screened online Oct. 26 with a panel discussion to follow.
Celebrate LGBTQI History Month
Oct. 2, 2020—LGBTQI History Month—a time to come together, reflect, celebrate and educate—will be observed at Vanderbilt throughout October. Events are sponsored by the Office of LGBTQI Life in partnership with others on campus and in the community.
Faculty and staff invited to join inaugural LGBTQI+ Affinity Group
Aug. 19, 2020—Faculty and staff who identify as LGBTQI+ and their allies are invited to join a virtual launch party and brainstorming session of the new employee LGBTQI+ Affinity Group. The event will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Kudos: Read about faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements
Jun. 25, 2020—Read about recent faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements.