Southwest Minnesota State University is hosting a series of events for Trans Day of Visibility. The events are today and Thursday. The programs are focused on empowering and celebrating LGBTQIA+ students as well as creating safe and inclusive environments for students to live and learn.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion educator and motivational speaker, Tarrence Robertson will lead two sessions today, one for faculty and staff, and the other for students. His talk will provide practical solutions to celebrate trans visibility, awareness, and support LGBTQIA+ students. The faculty and staff workshop “Beyond Visibility: Building Inclusive Communities” will be held from noon-1:30 p.m. in the SMSU Conference Center Upper Level. The Student Session “Transcending Barriers: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Resilience and Visibility” from 2-3 p.m. also in the SMSU Conference Center Upper Level. These events are free and open to the respective campus audiences.

On Thursday, there will be an All-Campus Session “LGBTQIA+ Know Your Rights” which will feature Education Minnesota attorney, Eva Wood, on existing legal protections for LGBTQIA+ students, a review of relevant case law, with time for discussion around supportive solutions that empower students and allies. In addition, Attorney Wood will provide brief legal consultation for those interested from 3-4:30 p.m.

SMSU event sponsors include the SMSU Student Senate, LGBTQIA+ Center & Club, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, Campus Diversity Officer, and the Title IX Coordinator. For more information, contact Campus Diversity Officer, Dr. Erin Kline at Erin.Kline@SMSU.edu