Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services at Colorado State University Presents Judy Shepard at T’bglad Days

Colorado State University’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services will host T’BGLAD Days April 11-17 with a variety of programs and presentations. The keynote presentation will be at 7 p.m. April 12 by Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard, who died from an anti-gay hate crime seven years ago.

T’BGLAD Days, or Transgendered, Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian Awareness Days, is designed to create awareness of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, discuss issues and address concerns that affect people who may be a minority, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and educate the Colorado State and Fort Collins communities about what it means to be gay and the effects of hatred and anti-gay acts.

Matthew Shepard died at Poudre Valley Hospital on Oct. 12, 1998, after a violent anti-gay hate crime. Since the attack and death of her son, Judy Shepard has traveled around the nation telling the story about what happened to her son and her family.

"Many students do not know that Matthew Shepard died just two miles from the Colorado State campus at Poudre Valley Hospital," said Randy McCrillis, director of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services. "Having Judy speak to the campus and community can remind Colorado State and the greater Fort Collins community about the effects of hatred and anti-gay acts and will help spread her words of tolerance and acceptance."

Events during T’BGLAD Days include the following.  

April 8

– 6 to 8 p.m. – GLBT Inclusive Shabbat Dinner, Lory Student Apartments South.

April 11

– 6 p.m. – Religious panel: Representatives of various religious organizations from around Fort Collins meet in the Lory Student Center, Room 224-6, on campus to discuss the GLBT community and faith. All of the people speaking on the panel are representing friendly faith communities.

April 12

– Noon – Transgender Identities: Interactive presentation on gender and what it means to cross gender boundaries in a contemporary society in Room 207, Lory Student Center.

– 7 p.m. – Keynote address: Judy Shepard will speak in Johnson Hall Theatre on campus about her perspective of a mother that lost her child to hate, spreading words of tolerance and acceptance.

April 13

– 6 p.m. – Gay Marriage: What else is there about the gay marriage issue that you may not know? Information about gay marriage and where certain states and laws stand will be shared at the Lory Student Center in Room 224-6.

April 14

– 4 p.m. – Safe Zone Training: Program in the Lory Student Center  Room 210 will provide participants with extensive understanding or how to create safe zones for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

April 17

– 6 p.m. – Lavender Graduation: The annual dinner that concludes T’BGLAD week at the University Holiday Inn, 425 Prospect Road, that honors allies and community members.

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services at Colorado State, which officially opened in the Lory Student Center on campus in 1998, is committed to providing a safe place for students who may be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, and other minorities and allies at Colorado State. The organization is involved in student group advising, counseling, education outreach programs and alumni development, and supports those individuals who have been harassed or reported discrimination.

For a complete schedule of events for T’BGLAD Days, visit www.glbtss.colostate.edu. For more information about T’BGLAD or the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services, call (970) 491-4342, e-mail glbtss@lamar.colostate.edu or visit glbtss.colostate.edu.

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