Union County Announces 2022 Queer Empowerment Hour Series

Westfield NJ

18 March, 2022

11:12 AM

Description

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the 2022 OUT in Union County: Queer Empowerment Hour series with host Micayla Mirabella. The free virtual series, organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, begins on Monday, March 21st and runs through December 5, 2022. Each conversation will be held on the third Monday of each month (except December) and each hour-long session will begin at 7:00 pm. "It has been four years since the Office of LGBTQ Affairs was created and the Union County Board of County Commissioners continue to remain an ally and advocate for our LGBTQ+ community," said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. "This office does a wonderful job at hosting a variety of programs and events which aim to educate, start a conversation on LGBTQ+ issues and introduce resources available to our residents. I would like to thank everyone that is involved in the coordination of these efforts." The OUT in Union County: Queer Empowerment Hour series explores LGBTQ+ specific topics and offer stories and discussions involving queer folks from different backgrounds and experiences, in an hour-long format that includes some of New Jersey's most dedicated LGBTQ+ advocates, community leaders, and allies. Registration is required to join the Zoom session or watch live on the County of Union, New Jersey Facebook page. The schedule and registration links can be found at ucnj.org/lgbtq. "This series is designed to promote advocacy and engage in rational conversations that can bring people towards understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community," said Commissioner, Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Board of Commissioner's LGBTQ+ Ad Hoc Committee. "Increasing awareness and responding to the community's needs is a very important step in making sure everyone in our county feels included and heard. I am proud to stand together as one of the most diverse counties in New Jersey and I continue to support these efforts." The schedule of sessions is as follows: Monday, March 21: LGBTQ Women in History (who are they and what is their impact) Monday, April 18: Workplace Inclusion (the benefits of acceptance at work) Monday, May 16: Intersectionality (a discussion of privilege and discrimination) Monday, June 20: We Say Gay (the impact of anti-LGBTQ+ state laws and patchwork legal protections across the country) Monday, July 18: Guest Host / Topic TBD Monday, August 15: Guest Host / Topic TBD Monday, September 19: Family Planning (pathways to LGBTQ+ parenthood) Monday, October 17: Policy in LGBTQ+ History (the residual effects of historical laws and policies) Monday, November 21: Transgender Awareness (how to be an ally to transgender folks) Monday, December 5: HIV/AIDS (overcoming pandemics – end the epidemic and COVID-19) The Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury at 908-527-4742 or [email protected] or visit ucnj.org/lgbtq. For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health. For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email [email protected] or use the online Contact Form. Connect with Union County on social media.