West Virginia University is bringing T.J. Jourian, a nationally known social justice activist and member of the LGBT community, to campus on Wednesday, April 29. Jourian’s presentation, entitled, “Being Brown About It: An Intersectional Trans*formation,” will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Gluck Theatre of the Mountainlair.

Jourian’s visit comes just days after Bruce Jenner, an Olympic decathalon champion, revealed to a national television audience that he is in the process of transitioning from male to female.

Speaking from his unique perspective of an international trans*, man of color with education in student affairs administration, Jourian will discuss oppression and how universities can become more inclusive for gender non-conforming students, faculty and staff.

The event is open to the entire WVU community. Dr. T. Anne Hawkins, Clinical Director at the Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services and co-chair of the WVU LGBTQ Equity Commission, believes the presentation will be of interest to students, faculty, staff, and community members who want to learn more about gender identity and trans*,/transgender needs. More broadly, the presentation will appeal to individuals with a dedicated interest in LGBTQ, international student assistance, and advocacy relating to persons of color.

“We are so fortunate to have T.J. join our campus to speak with a breadth of groups ranging from student leaders and LGBTQ student groups to various administrative departments within Student Life,” said Hawkins. “His input and advice will undoubtedly have tremendous impact as WVU makes strides toward inclusion and support of LGBTQ Mountaineers in all facets of the University.”

T.J. Jourian is a Ph.D. candidate in Higher Education at Loyola University in Chicago with a master’s degree in student affairs administration from Michigan State University. He is the Managing Editor or the Journal of Critical Scholarship on Higher Education and Students Affairs, and the co-creator of the Higher Education Trans*Advocacy Board. In addition, he has served as a residence director at the University of Vermont and as an Office of LGBTQI Life Program coordinator at Vanderbilt University, among various other experience and involvement in social justice. He was also featured on the 2005 docu-series “TransGeneration.

The event is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, Commission for LGBTQ Equity, WELLWVU HelpWELL Program, Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, Office of Multicultural Programs, Office of International Students and Scholars, and the Center for Black Culture and Research.

Pizza will be provided by the WVU Office of Multicultural Programs.

-WVU-

ta/4/27/15

Contact: T.Anne Hawkins, WELLWVU
TAHawkins@mail.wvu.edu, 304.293.5588

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