UF Pride Student Union to host Intercollegiate Pride Conference

November 7, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s Pride Student Union will host its fourth Annual Intercollegiate Pride Conference Nov. 18-20 to advance lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

This year’s theme is “Learning, Growing and Building Towards the Quest for Acceptance.” Students from colleges and universities throughout Florida will participate in a series of workshops that will teach them how to promote relevant issues and to encourage acceptance for LGBT people on their campuses. Ten workshops, which include how to make student health facilities more gay-friendly, understanding gender and gender identities and how to bridge the gap between the black community and the LGBT community, will be offered.

“The conference is an exceptional opportunity for students and professionals to come together and discuss the practical issues in higher education concerning LGBT people,” said Allison Andrews, the president of Pride. “Students become both empowered and skilled in creating positive change on their college campuses.”

Recognizable community figures who will take part in the conference include Phyllis Meek, former UF associate dean of students who is currently on the board of directors for the Human Rights Council of North Central Florida, and Tamara Cohen, director of LGBT Affairs at the Dean of Students Office. Also participating will be national figures such as Jessica Pettitt, LGBT director at Arizona State University with an extensive background in transgender issues, and Ronni Sanlo, UF alumna, director of the LGBT Center at the University of California-Los Angeles and renowned writer on LGBT issues in higher education.

Registration, which has already begun, is free for all UF students. The charge for other students is $15 and $10 per student in a group of six or more. Late registration begins after Nov. 14. Students can register online at www.ufpride.org. For additional details on registration, contact Ricky Cortez at rcortez@ufl.edu.