Northridge — The Pride Center of the University Student Union (USU) will be presenting a series of powerful and compelling programs during its “Dare to be Powerful: Queer and/or Trans People of Color” event from Monday, April 15 to Thursday, April 18, with additional programs on Thursday, April 25. In collaboration with The Black House, USU Diversity and Inclusion Department, WISDOM, and Gamma Rho Lamda National Sorority, Epsilon Chapter, the various workshops, panels and lectures at this important event focused on furthering discussion around the intersection of being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community and being a person of color. Participants will be given opportunities to connect, express themselves and identify with the people featured at the event. All Matadors are invited to attend these educational, empowering and fun programs to be held in various locations at the USU.
“We are excited to be hosting an event like ‘Dare to be Powerful,’ that is truly focused on empowering the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Hedyeh Rezaei, Pride Center Supervisor. “It is important to talk openly about the diversity and intersections of this community and provide an inclusive space to do so.”
At “Dare to be Powerful: Queer and/or Trans People of Color”, attendees can check out intriguing programs each day. On Monday, April 15, from 12 to 2 p.m., you can come to the “Understanding Sign Language of LGBTQIA+ Terminology with Safe Space” in the Pride Center. On Tuesday, April 16, from 5 to 7 p.m., five local artists will be holding the panel discussion, “LGBTQ+ People of Color: Representation & Resilience on Social Media Panel” in the Pride Center. The featured guests will include Lauren Abedini, Curly Velasquez, Cielo Oscuro, Kamil Oshundara, and Arya Marvazy.
On Wednesday, April 17, from 4 to 6 p.m., the series continues in the Pasadena Room of the East Conference Center (ECC) at “Sexual Healing: Decolonizing QTPOC Bodies, Accessing Sexuality Beyond Trauma and Asserting Full Agency” led by award-winning media personality, producer, and civil rights activist Ashlee Marie Preston.
On Thursday, March 18, from 4 to 6 p.m., join the conversation on gender injustice with the “Centering the Girls: Building Movements that Uplift Queer/Trans Women in Leadership” workshop presented by artist, Juniperangelica Gia Cordova in the Tujunga Room of the ECC. Closing out the week, don’t miss the “Open Mic Night/Art Showcase” in the Games Room from 7 to 9 p.m., hosted by poet and activist, Hood Profit.
In the following week, on Thursday, April 25, from 2 to 4 p.m., find enlightenment with “Abuelita Knowledge: Cultural Preservation in the Aftermath of Colonialism” and a DIY Incense Workshop with La Loba Loca. Then, concluding this exciting series, it’s the “Drag Show and Vogue Contest”, from 5 to 7 p.m., in The Black House with local drag queens, Calypso Jete and The Express.
Make plans now to come and be a part of the Pride Center’s fun and informative “Dare to be Powerful: Queer and/or Trans People of Color” event! For more information about this event, the Pride Center, and the University Student Union, please visit csun.edu/pride or contact the Pride Center at pride@csun.edu.
