During the 1997-98 academic year, the staff had two in-service training sessions on transgender issues, had extensive discussions at staff meetings, and offered several transgender-related programs. The programs and services continued into last academic year, including a staff member writing a brochure about transgender people and concerns which the Center published.

At its meeting in December 1998, the Advisory Board recommended that the University administration be approached about changing the name of the Center to be inclusive of transgender people. At that time there was a discussion of what the new name might be, but it was decided to postpone the specifics until the discourse with the administration was concluded.

In February 1999, following a request from the administration for a specific name recommendation, the Advisory Board decided that the new name should be the LESBIAN GAY BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER CENTER. This recommendation was submitted to Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum and approved in April.

All of the Center’s revised publications – our brochure about the Center’s services and programs, the 2000 edition of our Community Resource Guide, and our Resource Guide for Residence Personnel – reflect the new name and focus. The sign on the front of the building will be repainted during this semester to reflect the name change, and our stationery will be reprinted when the present supply is completely used.

We are very excited to be expanding our focus and activities to serve people in PENN’s community who have always been here, but previously not adequately recognized or served. We are hopeful that the steps we have taken will make a significant difference.

~Bob Schoenberg

Become Involved!

Not sure how to become involved with the LGBT Center? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Drop in and say hi. We may need some help with a mailing or other tasks.
2. Become a mentor or a mentee. New to PENN or Philly? You may want to be a mentee and have a mentor show you around.
3. Volunteer to work on or start a specific program.
4. Pick up Philadelphia’s queer newspapers -- the Philadelphia Gay News and Au Courant.
5. Sign-out books from the LGBT Center’s Reading Room.
6. Wear a rainbow PENN shield pin to show your pride.
7. Write for OUTlines, as we love to publish people’s stories, essays, art, poetry, and other creative items.
8. Join an LGBT or allied group and become active.
9. Eat here! We love visitors and it is a chance to meet other people.
10. Attend the Queer Women’s Discussion Group (every Tuesday at 6:30pm in the Center starting Sept. 21) OR attend the Queer Men’s Coffee Talk (every other Monday at 6:30pm in the Center beginning on Sept. 20).
11. Help spread the word aboout the LGBT Center and its events.
12. Be a Speakers Bureau presenter and talk about your experience as an LGBT person.
13. Confront hetereosexism and homophobia on PENN’s campus and in the world.
14. Subscribe to queer-E, the LGBT Center’s weekly electronic bulletin.
15. Watch a movie at one of our monthly First Thursday Film Series events (titles TBA).