April 9–17, 2015: Fourth annual SafeZone Celebration Week

UAA's SafeZone is a campus-wide program designed to increase the overall campus community's understanding and awareness of issues faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, allies (GLBTQA) and other marginalized persons.

SafeZone Celebration week is shaping up to be amazing with 19 events at UAA and in the Anchorage community. Visit UAA SafeZone on Facebook for more details.

For questions about the UAA SafeZone Celebration Launch, Celebration Week activities or SafeZone training, please call (907) 751-SFZN (7936) or email SafeZone@uaa.alaska.edu.

SafeZone Week Kick-Off Thursday, April 9, 12-2 p.m. Student Union, Cafeteria

Please join us in launching UAA's fourth Annual SafeZone Celebration Week with a free BBQ lunch. Our presentation will feature keynote speaker and musician Jennifer Knapp, National Institute of Health fellowship winner and UAA student Maria Crouch and more. Marva Watson, director of UAA Campus Diversity & Compliance, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

Jennifer Knapp lecture Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m. Student Union, Cafeteria

Jennifer Knapp is highly recognized as a premier artist in the Christian contemporary music genre. Knapp chose to confront long-held speculation with a very public "coming out" in 2010. She will be here as part of her "Inside Out Faith" tour, which seeks to actively engage faith communities in order to educate, affirm and foster support of LGBT persons and their allies.

Jennifer has appeared on CNN and "Larry King Live," and has been profiled in The Advocate and Christianity Today.

Lavender Lunch featuring Jennifer Knapp Friday, April 10, 12-2 p.m. Student Union Leadership Lab

Join us for this very special edition of the Lavender Lunch for our SafeZone Celebration, featuring musical artist Jennifer Knapp. Lavender Lunches are informal discussions that take place at UAA throughout the academic year. Events range from presentations to informal talks on a variety of topics related to GLBTQA issues. Anyone interested may attend these free discussions. Bring your own "lavender bag" lunch or request a free Subway sandwich card at the event. Presented by Student Union & Commuter Student Services.

Jennifer Knapp concert Friday, April 10, 7 p.m. Lucy Cuddy Hall

Jennifer Knapp conversationally tells her story, revealing an intimate side that adds newfound depth and meaning to her music and lyrics. It is the story of an honest, vulnerable and questioning soul, living out a journey of life, love and faith. Join Jennifer in concert as she weaves her narrative with her music.

Admission is free for students and $7 for the general public. But tickets today at UAATix.com.

Skinny Raven Superhero Showdown Prep Saturday, April 11, 9:30 a.m. (start) Gorsuch Commons

Are you participating in or planning to watch the 2015 Superhero Showdown 5K this Saturday? If so, stop by the Gorsuch Commons for a little extra "super hero" boost with free face painting and glitter before the race.

5K race begins at 10:20 a.m. The 2015 Superhero Showdown will start on Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., just north of the Chuck Albrecht softball fields and finish in the softball field parking lot. Race day registration and bib pick-up will also be in the parking lot.

For more race details, visit the Skinny Raven website.

Saturday Night Variety Show Saturday, April 11, 9 p.m. Mad Myrna's

$8 cover; must be 21 or older to attend.

Lunch with The Family, UAA's LGBTQ+ student club Sunday, April 12, 12-1 p.m. Student Union Leadership Lab

Meet The Family, UAA's LGBTQ+ student club, for lunch and their first meeting of April. Meet new people, connect with campus resources and learn how you can become involved. Club officer elections will take place later this month. Food and beverages provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Family and SafeZone Campus Clean-Up Sunday, April 12, 1-3 p.m. Meet outside the UAA Campus Bookstore

Help clean up campus. All materials (including vests, bags, gloves and trash pickers) will be provided.

Yoga and Ho'oponopono Meditation Sunday, April 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Spirit Path Wellness

Join us for a one-hour yoga/meditation class in support of SafeZone Celebration Week. New and experienced yogis are welcome. Bring a yoga mat if you have one, and all other props will be provided.

This healing practice includes the repetition of the four phrases of Ho'oponopono for self-healing: "I'm Sorry," "Please Forgive Me," "I Love You" and "Thank You." While holding gentle yoga postures, students will be encouraged to practice using the phrases.

Featuring instructor Margo Sorum, RYT. Margo's extensive resume reflects 17 years of yoga study with a large diversity of mentors and disciplines. Presented by Spirit Path Wellness and Yoga Center.

Free for UAA students with students ID. $5 donation for community members.

Transparency and TV Monday, April 13, 12-3 p.m. Student Union, Den

Learn about award-winning LGBT television series and the Day of Silence. Presented by Student Union & Commuter Student Services and Residence Life.

Documentary and discussion: "Training Rules" Monday, April 13, 7-9 p.m. Alaska Airlines Center, Auxiliary Gym

Training Rules examines how women's collegiate sports, caught in a web of homophobic practices, collude in the destruction of the lives and dreams of many of its most talented athletes. Features an opportunity for discussion after the film. Presented by UAA Athletics, the Multicultural Center and Diversity & Compliance.

Film showing: "The Imitation Game" Tuesday, April 14, 7-9 p.m. Student Union, Den

Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, "The Imitation Game" portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain's top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.

Transparency and TV Wednesday, April 15, 12-3 p.m. Gorsuch Commons

Learn about award-winning LGBT television series and the Day of Silence. Presented by Student Union & Commuter Student Services and Residence Life.

Sequins and Suits Drag Show Wednesday, April 15, 7-9 p.m. Student Union, Cafeteria

Interested in performing? Find the application on the SafeZone website.

SafeZone Ally Training Thursday, April 16, 4-6 p.m. Lyla Richards Conference Room (Student Union, Room 103)

UAA SafeZone offers a visible message of inclusion, support, and advocacy through two-hour Ally trainings, taking participants through a variety of activities aimed at expanding horizons and cultivating thoughts. Ally trainings help participants examine their thoughts and views while prepping them to become better allies for the GLBTQA community. Learn more at the SafeZone website.

Documentary and discussion: "Limited Partnership" Thursday, April 16, 7-9 p.m. Multicultural Center (Rasmuson Hall, Suite 106)

"Limited Partnership" is the love story between Filipino-American Richard Adams and his Australian husband, Tony Sullivan. In 1975, thanks to a courageous county clerk in Boulder, Colo., Richard and Tony were one of the first same-sex couples in the world to be legally married. Richard immediately filed for a green card for Tony based on their marriage. But unlike most heterosexual married couples who easily file petitions and obtain green cards, Richard received a denial letter from the Immigration and Naturalization Service stating, "You have failed to establish that a bona fide marital relationship can exist between two faggots." Outraged at the tone, tenor and politics of this letter and to prevent Tony's impending deportation, the couple sued the U.S. government. This became the first federal lawsuit seeking equal treatment for a same-sex marriage in U.S. history. A discussion will follow the film.

Presented by the Multicultural Center, Student Activities and Alaska Public Media.

Day of Silence Friday, April 17 Campus-wide

The Day of Silence is a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT. For more information, visit dayofsilence.org.

Day of Silence - Meditation and tips for relaxation Friday, April 17, 11:20 a.m.-noon Gorsuch Commons

Just in time for finals! Bring a blanket, towel and pillow, and learn how to turn 15-20 minutes into a valuable tool for "resetting" and quieting the mind with Yoga Nidra. Participants will be led through a brief, guided meditation for relaxation and will have an opportunity to reflect on the value of compassion and self-expression. Presented by Residence Life.

Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Friday, April 17, 1-3 p.m. Lyla Richards Conference Room (Student Union, Room 103)

A gatekeeper is someone who is able to intervene to help someone who is at risk of suicide. The gatekeeper training is designed to train people to recognize the warning signs of suicide and to help someone at risk. Learn more and register at the UAA-ISPI website.

Night of Noise Festival Friday, April 17, 6-9 p.m. Student Union, Cafeteria

Join us as we conclude the Day of Silence with a night of noise featuring DJ Audri, food, games and a photo booth.

April Archive