Trans Resource Week features online workshops for transgender and nonbinary people and allies

Transgender students and people in the community can learn about critical resources available to them during a series of online workshops on Oct. 13–16

Hosted by the Wright State University Office of LGBTQA Affairs, Trans Resource Week is a week of virtual workshops for transgender and nonbinary people and their allies.

The week features workshops on homeless services, public health, and parenting and family. It concludes with a virtual drag show featuring local entertainers.

The panels include Inclusive Excellence Series: Being LGBTQA at Wright State, hosted by the Offices of Admissions and LGBTQA Affairs. The panel will feature LGBTQA students who will share their experiences at Wright State. Participants will also provide information about inclusion efforts at the university for prospective students and families. Admissions representatives will share information on how to apply, important deadlines and scholarship opportunities, including three LGBTQA Affairs scholarships.

Details on all the workshops and registration information are available at wright.edu/event/transgender-resource-week.

The workshop will cover topics that are important to the transgender and nonbinary community. Transgender people face significant challenges and barriers to access resources featured throughout the week, said Emily Yantis-Houser, associate director of LGBTQA affairs.

“Many transgender individuals, especially young and people of color, face significant barriers to financial resources, housing and health care,” she said. “We want to not only bring awareness to these issues but provide resources to face these challenges.”

.Workshops will be facilitated by event sponsors, including Synchrony, LexisNexis, Daybreak and Public Health of Dayton and Montgomery County, as well as Wright State resources such as the Office of LGBTQA Affairs, Office of Admissions and Rainbow Alliance.

The Office of LGBTQA Affairs initially planned to host a day of in-person workshops last March for Transgender Day of Visibility but had to cancel it after Wright State suspended all university events because of the pandemic.

Through Trans Resource Week, the office will provide event sponsors and guests time to share their resources with participants while also supporting the transgender community at Wright State and across Ohio.

“The underlying theme that arose from the Trans Day of Visibility is still embedded within this week, which is also raising awareness and making the transgender community visible following National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 and in October, which is recognized as LGBT History Month,” Yantis-Houser said.

This is the first year Wright State has hosted this event, and Yantis-Houser said the Office of LGBTQA Affairs hopes to resume its annual celebration on Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, 2021.

Thanks to sponsors, the Office of LGBTQA Affairs has raised $10,000 to create a new scholarship to support transgender and nonbinary students at Wright State. Online gifts can be made to the LGBTQA Program Fund. Donors should communicate that their gift is intended to support transgender and nonbinary students.

Workshop schedule:

Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 2–3 p.m.: Presenting David’s Place: An LGBTQ Youth Resource Hub

Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6–7 p.m.: The Importance of Gender Affirming Clothing on Mental Health and Self-Worth

Wednesday, Oct. 14, from noon–1 p.m.: Binder Health Lunch and Learn with B.UR.SLF, LLC.

Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 5:30–6:30 p.m.: Inclusive Excellence Series: Being LGBTQA at Wright State

Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6:30–8 p.m.: Rainbow Alliance Student Organization Meeting

Thursday, Oct. 15, from 2–3 p.m.: Public Health Issues for Transgender People

Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6–7 p.m.: Trans Family Experiences

Learn more about the workshops.

Trans Resource Week concludes with Dollars for Trans Scholars Virtual Drag Show on Friday, Oct. 16, from 8 to 11 p.m.