Queer & Trans Empowerment Month (nationally known as LGBT History Month) is celebrated every October at Northwestern University and recognizes the lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, and queer community. The university community host a variety of programs and events which aim to educate on LGBTQ issues and build community on campus.
Previous events have featured Janet Mock, Dark Matter, faculty film screenings, and community discussions on a variety of topics. We hope you will take part in this year's Queer & Trans Empowerment Month events.
In this month we turn to the earth and its elements to center grounding as our power source to be nurtured, held, loved and grow. Our theme focuses on queer and decolonial approaches to environmental justice that strives to forefront healing as a process of finding kinship with the earth. The aim for QTEM is to showcase how our empowerment is rooted in grounding ourselves in the environments we exist in.
Queer & Trans Empowerment Month 2021 Events
October 4, 2021 | Get Wet and Stay Wet Tabling
- 10:00am -2:00pm CST | Norris Lobby
- Join MSA for tabling at Norris Student Center where we we explore different types of Lube and the pros and cons to common household and natural lubricants for personal or partnered use! Limited samples will be provided and information about future QTEM events will also be shared!
October 8th, 2021 | Plant Exchange
- 4:30pm-6:00pm CST | MCC Front Porch
- Join MSA and Rainbow Alliance as we share, explore and expand the plants we are in relationship with. Bring plants you are ready to exchange or hoping to propagate for other to also enjoy! Limited supplies of plants, cuttings, soil, and containers will be provided so if you got nothing to exchange but still want a plant, swing by!
October 11, 2021 | LGBTQIA+ Faculty/Staff/Student Social
- 12:00pm - 1:30pm CST | Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC); Norris 3rd Floor
- Celebrate National Coming Out day by dropping into the GSRC for community and sweets with Rainbow Alliance, MSA and members of Northwestern's Out Network Evanston! Snacks will be provides and you are encouraged to bring your lunch!
October 13, 2021 | Plant Medicine Workshop
- 6:00pm-7:00pm CST - Zoom Registration
- Join MSA for an interactive workshop that offers insight on how to utilize medicinal plants. This session will be led by Peregrine Bermas, who is a teaching artist with Young Cultural Stewards and was a Healer in Residence with Axis Lab Chicago and a teaching artist with Young Cultural Stewards.
October 21st, 2021 | Plant Dye & Upcycling Workshop 
- 3:00pm-4:30pm CST | MCC Back Yard (Rain Location: MCC Front Porch)
- This DIY event will teach students how to use food scraps to dye their clothing and offer information on how upcycling serves as a queer ecological practice tied to sustainability. This workshop will be led by Jada Graves, who is part of the artist of color collective, TheJungleChi. Jada is a stylist and curator of vintage clothing and home goods for their online shop (@sailorjvintage), much of their inventory is upcycled by them.
All dye supplies will be provided by MSA, limited quantities and t-shirt sizes (small-3XL) will be available for students to participate in the tutorial. Reserve your t-shirt at: https://bit.ly/fooddyetshirts
October 25, 2021 | Thrifting 101 and Sustainability
- 5:00pm-6:00pm CST | Kresge 2325 | Zoom Registration
- This hybrid MSA event will introduce students to thrifting basics and how thrifting achieves sustainability through fashion. This workshop will be lead by Izzy J, who is a multi-disciplinary Chicago artist and creative director. There will be a personalized mystery box of clothing curated by Izzy that will be raffled off at the conclusion of the event.
Asynchronous Engagement
Do:
Microbial Love Letter Instructions
Watch:
Queer Ecologies & Climate Justice Video
How did we get here? Video and Transcript
Queer Resilience in the Era of Climate Change Video
Queer Ecologies: Reimagining Nature Through Queer Experience
Climate Change Will Displace Millions Here's how we prepare (TedTalk) - Colette Pichon Battle
Listen:
IN CONVERSATION Podcast: An Episode on Climate Justice & Queer and Trans Liberation
Eco Justice Podcast: Advancing Eco-Mindfulness through Queer Ecology with Miles Lewis
For the wild podcast: QUEER NATURE on Reclaiming Wild Safe Space
This Land Podcast: The Case (Season 1 Ep. 1)
Read:
Queer Ecologies Project Reading List
Indigenous Feminisms: Disturbing Colonialism in Environmental Science Partnerships
Queer Nature Reading List
Hazel M. Johnson, "Mother of Environmental Justice"
Chicago Public Library, People for the Community Recovery Archives: Hazel M. Johnson biography
Black Perspectives - Black Ecologies Series
Environmental Justice / Environmental Racism / Organizing Principles Platform
Campus and Community Events
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Find even more events hosted by Rainbow Alliance, QPGSA, community organizations in Chicago, and more on the LGBTQIA Google calendar updated weekly!
One Book Events
- Northwestern's 2021 common read, The Story of More, explores our relationship with the environment. One Book will be working across campus year round for environment related programing. Learn more on the One Book website!