Rainbow SIG Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary in Salt Lake City

We have come a long way! This year the NAFSA Rainbow SIG (formerly the Lesbigay SIG) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary as a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender interest and service group. We hope you can join us at the NAFSA National Conference in Salt Lake City from May 24-30, 2003 to help celebrate with various professional and social activities. In addition, the Rainbow SIG has coordinated several GLBT-content sessions for the entire NAFSA community.

We hope you will schedule time to take part in the Rainbow SIG's most exciting series of visible events and meetings yet. Additional information can be found at the Rainbow SIG table near the conference registration area.

For those who would like to learn more about and participate in the activities of the largest NAFSA SIG, there are two meetings scheduled in Salt Lake City: the SIG Advisory Board Meeting and the Annual Public Meeting.

NAFSA Workshop and Sessions

On Sunday, May 24, there is a one-day workshop from 8:00 am-5:00 pm that helps to prepare educators to meet the differing cultural concepts of sexuality and identity, entitled: "Same Sex, Different Cultures: Examining Intersections of Culture, Identity and Sexuality." Experienced professionals in the field and overseas resident directors will conduct this pioneering workshop.

On Tuesday, May 27, from 8:00-9:00 pm the Rainbow SIG advisory Board will hold its annual face-to-face advisory board meeting. The Board is comprised of volunteer advisors from around the globe and meets annually to informally discuss matters of significance to the Rainbow SIG. Throughout the year the two co-chairs call on the Advisory Board with regularity, requesting feedback, suggestions and advice on a range of matters.

On Wednesday, May 28, from 1:45-3:00 pm the Rainbow SIG will hold its annual public meeting and elect new members to serve in various SIG positions. This meeting is open to the public. Come learn about the SIG's operation and activities.

On Wednesday, May 28, the Rainbow SIG will have its 10th Anniversary Celebration reception (with a cash bar) from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Peery Hotel in Salt Lake City. Many sponsors have contributed to this event.

On Thursday, May 29, from 1:00-2:15 pm, please join us at the poster session "Celebrating Ten Years of Education and Service," with nearly 15 different presenters who will be providing information on current GLBT issues within the field, representing various world regions, and offering resources available to serve students, advisors, and scholars.

On Friday, May 30, from 9:30-10:45 am there is a panel session with GLBT content entitled: "Dating and Sexuality Issues Abroad." This will include a discussion by study abroad professionals and a resident director who will also share results of a sexual activity and dating abroad survey.

Recognition and Support from the Field for the Rainbow SIG

The Rainbow SIG would like to express a special thank you to the following organizations and individuals for their financial support and contribution to the Tenth Anniversary Celebration SIG reception. This year’s gathering recognizes ten years of providing services and resources that pertain to GLBT issues in the field of international education. With much appreciation to the following:

GOLD

Boston University
Butler IFSA
IES
Earlham College
CIEE

SILVER

Jan Moore Kieling
AIFS in London
DIS
Kathy Sideli
Anonymous
Kevin Morrison
Mark Lenhart
Susan Carty
Jeanette Mancusi & Kim Killingsworth
Mark Thackaberry
Andrew Haukebu
Bo Keppel

BRONZE

Pusch Family
Julie Trimpe
Jacqueline Bedard
Peter Kerrigan
Gonzolo Isidro
Joe Murnan
Susan Schmidt

Additional Resources - NAFSA Salt Lake City

Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Utah www.glccu.com/home.html
Unity Utah, the State's Gay and Lesbian Political Action Committee www.unityutah.org/
University of Utah, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center www.sa.utah.edu/lgbt/