The fifth-annual OutWeek at UBC's Okanagan campus begins next Monday at 12:30 p.m. with an OutWeek Art Exhibition reception in the Fine Arts and Health building’s FINA Gallery, followed by a Pride flag raising and opening ceremony in the campus courtyard at 1:30 p.m.
Running from Feb. 7 to 11, OutWeek features daily activities and presentations that celebrate diversity and raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, transsexual, two-spirit, and intersex (LGBTQTTI) issues.
The OutWeek Art Exhibition is free and open to the public and features a variety of queer-positive art.
"OutWeek is an important campus event for faculty, students and staff," says Chelsea Butchart, student events coordinator. "It is important for everyone to be aware of issues that the LGBTQTTI community faces and to recognize the diverse population at UBC.
"We have a wide range of activities that allow participants to explore and become educated about the LGBTQTTI community while also providing allies with support networks and information on how they can become engaged."
One of this year's highlights includes a film screening and discussion of Two Spirits, on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Aboriginal Centre, room UNC210 in the University Centre building. Two Spirits offers an informed and insightful conversation about gender and sexuality that is anchored in traditions that were once widespread among the Indigenous cultures of North America.
The OutWeek closing ceremonies, at 12 noon Friday in the FINA gallery, will feature guest of honour Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA for Vancouver-West End.
For a full schedule of events visit www.ubc.ca/okanagan/students/campuslife/outweek.html
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