Subject: Lavender Leadership Honor Society
Description:
Dear Community:
You most likely know a student who has shown leadership for LGBTQ inclusion.
(You might be that student yourself.) Maybe it was by being a facilitator or
board member of a campus LGBTQ group. Or through a research project on
bisexual health. Or as a volunteer or intern with an off-campus LGBTQ
initiative. Maybe it was by attending allyship or LGBTQ+ leadership
trainings/retreats and engaging in work to create more inclusive
environments. Perhaps it was an art project around trans bodies of color. Or
a student who was involved organizing events for a Gay/Straight Alliance
during their high school years.
I’m pleased to announce the creation of the Lavender Leadership Honor
Society, a Society that inducts members and recognizes leadership for LGBTQ+
inclusion and social justice, and which provides a community and networking
space for those who are engaged in these common interests. Regardless of the
form that their leadership took, we want you to encourage UMD students to
apply for the Lavender Leadership Honor Society. Applications with further
details are available here: http://ter.ps/llhs15
Our honor society is unusual compared to some in that we are not focused on
assessing the calibre of our applicants or trying to create an exclusive or
elite space, but rather looking to create a Society of common interest and
recognition by looking for a commitment to our vision and principles, and a
demonstration of that commitment in action. Personal identity is not a
criterion, and we welcome and encourage allies to apply.
Applications are DUE by the end of Thursday, April 2nd. Applicants will hear
back by the end of April 7th. The first induction will take place on Monday,
April 20th at 4pm in the Memorial Chapel. We invite all students, staff, and
faculty, as well as family and friends to join us in celebrating this
inaugural induction. Inductees will receive a special lavender terrapin lapel
pin — exclusively for Society members, and a certificate.
The vision and principles of the Society are as follows:
We seek to create a world and a university community that is fully equitable,
and which empowers agents of social justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and queer people, and all those who face structural and
interpersonal marginalization because of their gender identity and expression
or their sexual orientation.
We also believe in solidarity and collaboration, and in intersectional
approaches to social justice that affirm the whole person and all things that
can lead to liberated and flourishing communities.
We are a diverse community of leaders who value inclusion, genuineness, and
kindness as core leadership values. We seek to build communities and
networks, to support our communities, to foster an environment that creates
spaces for many and diverse leaders and voices, to educate others, and to
advocate for equity.
—Nick
++
(Mx.) Nicholas S. Sakurai, M.A., M.B.A.
桜井 繁 Director of Leadership Initiatives
LGBT Equity Center
2218 Marie Mount Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
301-405-8722 | [log in to unmask]
Contact Person: Nicholas S. Sakurai
Contact Email: [log in to unmask]
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