Annual Events
There are many events going on across campus throughout the year that touch upon Gender Identity, Sexuality and LGBTQ spectrum experience. The GSRC sponsors and co-sponsors a number of events and programs as well throughout the year. Below is a brief overview of annual events by semester from organizations across campus.
These are some of our major advertised events in the Fall semester that happen annually. Lots of additional programs and events happen throughout the year as well.
Fall Welcome
Each year there are a variety of events going on to welcome new students to campus. The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center among other departments and organizations will be tabling across campus throughout that time. Including at the welcome receptions.
LGBTQ and Ally Welcome Reception
The LGBTQ and Ally welcome reception is one of many receptions offered across campus before school starts. This is an opportunity to meet other new LGBTQ and Allied Students as well as returning student leaders and student clubs in a fun interactive environment. The receptions feature snacks, activities and networking!
Trans* Pool Night
Once a semester the GSRC, Trans* Action and Recreation & Wellness sponsor a Transgender empowered pool night in the Physical Education Building. This event is advertised through the GSRC and features gender inclusive bathrooms and private changing areas. It is an all bodies welcome, no gender roles required pool party open to all students across the gender and sexuality spectrum and their allies. The pool viewing deck is closed and covered during this event.
Coming Out Week
Coming OUT Week is celebrated in the month of October across many of our LGBTQ and other cultural identity groups around National Coming Out Day (October 11th). Events feature identity meet ups, trivia nights, educational sessions, tabling across campus, campus center displays and culminates in a campus wide Coming OUT Reception. Annually in October the Pride Alliance Club takes their members on a camping retreat to Dippikill.
Sex Sense Week
This event hosted by Project SHAPE and the Advocacy Center for Sexual Violence provides a week worth of events around sexual health, consent and relationship communication. Lots of free condoms!
World AIDS Day
Celebrated nationally on December 1st and annually on campus by Project SHAPE.
Trans Remembrance Day
International Transgender Day of Remembrance take place on November 20th of each year as an international call for the recognition of those lives of transgender people that have been lost because of transphobia and anti-trans violence. Annually our student clubs come together to raise awareness through activism, installations and vigils to draw attention to this national epidemic. Additionally Trans Day of Remebrance Vigils can be found in the community and surrounding campuses as well. National website can be found here.
Sexuality Week
The First two weeks leading up to Valentines Day are rich with programming from the Counseling Center and Middle Earth which feature an Annual Sexuality Week full of diverse program spanning identity, sexual health, consent, music and more! Check out previous years workshops online and keep an eye out for the Sexuality Week Brochure for all the amazing events happening this year.
Previous Speakers have been: Laverne Cox, Master R & Miss Couple, Frank Warren (Post-Secret), Maria Falzone, Keith Boykin, Talk Sex with Sue Johansen, Faitheist Author Chris Stedman and many more!
Vagina Monologues
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler are used across campuses around the world as an engaging performance around female identity, consent, sexuality and our bodies. Annually this event is put on by students and tickets are sold to raise money for local shelters supporting Cis and Trans women in our community.
LGBT Luncheon: State of Higher Education For LGBT People at UAlbany
This event is hosted by the Student Association Gender & Sexuality Concerns Director and brings national speakers to our campus to engage with faculty, staff and students around matters that impact LGBTQ Faculty, Staff and Students on College campuses. Previous Speakers: Kit Yan, Shane Windmeyer, Dr. Sue Rankin.
Bullying Awareness
Annually the GSRC works through social media and on campus engagement to draw attention to the issues of bullying.
DKDC: 2nd Chance Prom
DKDC is hosted by the Student Association and collaborating LGBTQ Clubs to offer an all gender, all partner dance at the end of the year. This is one of our largest events and feature snacks, local DJ's and national performers. Previous performers: La'Mia Revlon, DJ Jemini, Miss. Peppermint and All the Kings Men.
Regional Conferences
Annually the GSRC, student groups and other departments support students interested in attending National and Regional Conferences. UAlbany is home to the Northeast LGBT College Conference started in 1995 and annually sends as many as 40 students to attend this conference now that it travels across the northeast to other campuses. For more info join our list serve and keep in touch through our social media to hear about interest meetings. If you have a conference you are interested in attending feel free to contact the GSRC for ideas about helping with your travel and registration costs.
Lavender graduation is an annual ceremony in addition to other commencements being held across departments that celebrates LGBTQ and Allied students leaving our university having completed their Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. This is a tremendous capstone to the student experience on our campus. Graduates that participate in our formal ceremony are receiving their degree in the Spring, Summer or December of the same year and are encouraged to invite friends, allies and family to attend. During the ceremony graduates receive a rainbow tassel, hear from LGBTQ and Allied Alumni, fellow graduates and are received by LGBTQ Faculty members and Allies in a ceremony you are sure to remember!
LGBTQ Alumni who graduated before this ceremony began back in 2009 are welcome to attend any year they choose and be recognized. Simply contact us to get your name in the program.
Summer Employment/Internships
The GSRC offers internships year round. Summer internships however receive special opportunities in the summer to engage with the GSRC Coordinator working on special projects and resources for the center. Additionally there are many other jobs and internships across campus that are LGBTQ Inclusive feel free to reach out to the coordinator for a list.
Capital Pride
In June the Albany community, In Our Own Voices and the Capital Pride Center celebrate Capital Pride, with events, workshops, a parade and festival in Washington Park and Jennings Landing. UAlbany and the GSRC table at these events, participate in the parade and host a Alumni networking tent during these events.
Albany is home to many wonderful festivals that take place in the community park.
T*Camp
This is a program just beginning as a collaboration and provides an opportunity for Transgender identities students to join Faculty and Staff for a leadership and networking retreat at the University at Albany's Dippikill camping ground. This weekend long event towards the end of Summer provides a great opportunity for students transitioning to campus life, on campus, or coming into their trans identity an invaluable experience to connect and have fun.
QCamp Orientation
Coming SOON!
MSAC: Multicultural Student Association Council Retreat
This annual event is a leadership retreat for LGBTQ and ALANA student leaders to connect and network during this weekend packed with exploration, team builders, good food and networking at the University's camp sight Dippikill.
