FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Northridge— The Pride Center of the University Student Union (USU) invites all CSUN students of color who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community to participate in our special series of compelling programs available during Dare to be Powerful: Virtual. From May 1 to May 22, you can join us online for different relevant topics intended to create a connection to community and culture through healing practices and art while learning ways to feel empowered within the LGBTQIA+ community.
“The Pride Center wants all LGBTQIA+ students of color to have a safe space to express their true selves during this time of quarantine and isolation,” says Whitney Workman, Pride Center Supervisor. “We’ve developed some very important wellness and healing events to let our students know we’re in this together and they’re not alone.”
The first event starts Friday, May 1 starting at 3 p.m. All those interested in guidance to healing from sexual assault and discussing the journey should attend Healing is Possible: Grounding the Mind & Body through Art + Movement. Led by Queer artist, trauma informed facilitator and community event curator Xica Neca (she/they) and Paru Frances Leanne Cariño Herrera-Lim (she/they), a cross-cultural butterfly migrating from Virginia, The Philippines, England, and Chicago, IL, will co-facilitate this event introducing mentally therapeutic exercises that reconnect them to their bodies and the present moment. Through the art practices of writing and movement, participants can join in on self-reflection, creative expression and mindful movement all in recognition of Sexual Awareness Month. The Zoom meeting ID is 985-6890-0066
On the following Friday, May 8, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., participants can expand their knowledge on herbalism, plant relations, healing justice, and autonomous health along with abuelita knowledge at Ancestral Medicine with La Loba Loca. Loba (Loba/they) is a Queer educator, herbalist, activist, consultant and lifestyle influencer who aims to inform communities of Reproductive Justice, doula work and plant connections in the hope that self-knowledge will create a future where we can depend on ourselves and communities. Those interested in planting their seed of knowledge with La Loba can attend with Zoom meeting ID: 954-6045-8700
All LGBTQIA+ students who want to learn how to embrace your body and feel empowered to be proud of who you are can join us for The Body as a Site of Power with Raiza on Friday, May 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. through Zoom. This informational and healing online gathering will allow participants to share your experiences with establishing the power of your own body followed by a Q&A. You’ll also get the chance to ask live questions of your own. To join this empowering online program, use Zoom meeting ID: 990-6014-6854.
To wrap up this spiritual and refreshing month of May filled with great events, you can attend Planting Seeds for QTPOC Futures on Friday, May 22 starting at 3 p.m. Join the discussion of relevant issues that involve the support and success of queer and trans students of color with a panel of current student organizers and activists. Attendees will listen to the panelists answer a list of prepared questions and have the opportunity to ask your own questions. You can enter the Zoom meeting with ID: 917-6303-8388
Come experience this series of safe spaces for healing and connection as the Pride Center of the USU continues to help establish QTPOC power in the LGBTQIA+ community at Dare to be Powerful: Virtual. For more information, please visit csun.edu/pride.
