Office Of LGBTQI Life

Diverse ’Dores Day is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 9, from noon to 4 p.m. The event is open to all Vanderbilt students, staff, faculty and postdoctoral scholars. Read More

Brianna Nesbitt has been named interim director of LGBTQI Life, effective Sept. 1. Nesbitt, who also serves as assistant director of the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, is a committed student advocate with an extensive background in higher education. The Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Human Resources recently relaunched the nationwide search for a new director of LGBTQI Life. Read More

LAVA, the LGBTQIA+ Association of Vanderbilt Alumni, and the Vanderbilt Alumni Association explored the significance of a landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in an online ’Dores in Dialogue event June 22. Panelists also focused on the recent proliferation of legislation at the state level targeting the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Read More

Explore upcoming events and resources as part of Vanderbilt University's PRIDE celebration. Read More

A number of Vanderbilt graduates participated in recognition ceremonies supported by the Provost’s Office for Inclusive Excellence May 13–14 as part of the university’s 2021 Commencement celebrations. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

Vanderbilt community members are invited to attend an online vigil in honor of International Transgender Day of Remembrance on Friday, Nov. 20. Read More

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. Read More

"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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

Read about recent faculty, staff and student awards, appointments and achievements. Read More

The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Life will offer its Pursuing Respect, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity training program on Thursday, June 11, via Zoom. The program is open to all Vanderbilt staff, students, faculty and postdoctoral scholars. Read More

The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Life has announced the recipients of its annual LGBTQI Life awards, including the Allyship in Action, Advocate of the Year, Intersectional Advocate of the Year, and Spotlight awards. Read More

In high school Andrew Brodsky wanted to become a middle school or high school science teacher. He chose Vanderbilt because of Peabody College’s top rankings, and enrolled as a secondary education and chemistry double major. But sometimes plans change. Read More