Celebrate Diversity at Second Annual OUTspoken Event

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 3, 2015) — The second annual OUTspoken event will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, in Memorial Hall on UK's campus and will consist of two parts. The event is an equal collaboration between OUTsource: the LGBTQ* Resource Center, Shades of Pride, Gay-Straight Alliance, the VIP Center and the Student Activities Board.

J Mase III, a black transgender poet from New York City, was invited and is attending the event as the keynote speaker and performing artist. He is the creator of the national performance event, "Cupid Ain’t @#$%!: An Anti-Valentine’s Day Poetry Movement." More information about him can be found at www.campuspride.org/speakers/jmase.

From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a writing workshop led by J Mase III. Beginning at 7:45 p.m., the second portion of the event will begin as the UK LGBTQ+Ally family will have the opportunity to share their own stories as survivors of interpersonal violence. They will discuss personal experiences and how they were able to demonstrate resiliency and strength. J Mase III will present his spoken word poetry between survivors’ stories.

The event is open to the entire campus community and free food will be provided.

“SAB is excited to be working with OUTsource and several other campus partners to bring OUTspoken to campus for a second year,"  Brenton Smith, director of Pop Culture Committee, said. “This event will be a place for safe expression and will feature the wonderful spoken word of J Mase III."

OUTsource exists to provide an affirming, safe and celebrating space for LGBTQQIPA+Ally family to learn more about gender identity, human sexuality and related issues by providing access to academic, cultural, campus and interpersonal resources; and to change the campus climate and culture to become more inclusive of LGBTQQIPA+Ally family by embracing, fostering and enabling diversity.

Shades of Pride exists to promote for retention, success and advocacy for students, staff and faculty at UK who identify as a person of color and part of the LGBTQ* community, as well as allies and supporters by providing a safe space and programing.

The purpose of UK Gay-Straight Alliance is to provide students at UK the opportunity for mutual support and discussion of issues relating to sexuality and gender identity, emphasizing respect and reasonable discretion. UK GSA will provide a safe social atmosphere and external outreach that fosters understanding and cooperation. Additionally, UK GSA will seek opportunities for community service and non-partisan activism related to fairness issues.

SAB brings more than 100 entertaining, educational and enriching programs that are reflective of contemporary issues and trends to the University of Kentucky annually. These programs are designed to enhance the college experience for students, faculty, staff and the greater Lexington community.

Connect with SAB at www.uksab.org, follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/UKSAB or Instagram at instagram.com/uksab or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UKSAB. For more information about SAB and events, email contact@uksab.org or text a question beginning with SABQ, followed by your question or comment, to 411-247.

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett, katy.bennett@uky.edu, 859-257-1909

SAB CONTACT: Olivia Senter, publicrelations@uksab.org, 859-257-8868