Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center Upcoming Events

Judy Shepard “The Legacy of Matthew Shepard”

Monday, September 30 at 7 pm

In October 1998, Judy Shepard lost her son Matthew to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate that shocked and captivated the nation. Turning tragedy into a crusade for justice, this leading voice in the LGBTQ rights movement has since established The Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on her son’s legacy. Judy draws from personal tragedy to promote a greater understanding of LGBTQ issues and empower audiences to embrace human dignity and diversity through outreach and advocacy in their own communities.

The presentation, in the Ballroom in ECU’s Main Campus Student Center at 501 E. Tenth Street, is free and open to the public.

Fall 2019 Queer Film Series presents “Stonewall Revolution”

Presented in celebration of LGBTQ History Month

When police raided the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village section of New York City on June 28, 1969, the street erupted into violent protests that lasted for the next six days. The Stonewall riots, as they came to be known, marked a major turning point in the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement in the United States and around the world.

The screening, on Wednesday, October 9 at 7 pm in Hendrix Theater in Mendenhall, is free and open to the public. Dr. Melinda Kane, Associate Professor in Sociology, will lead a discussion following the film.

The Fall 2019 LGBTQ Legacy Project

Now accepting submissions for “Coming Out Stories”

Our stories are our history, each one a reflection of a life lived and a journey unique to each individual. The lives of generations of people in the LGBTQ community have gone unrecorded due to homophobia, transphobia, fear, prejudice, and, sadly, shame.

The LGBTQ Legacy Project is an effort to capture our stories for future generations who might someday want to know about the lives of our students in the early part of the 21^st century. The Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center announces the Fall 2019 essay contest around the theme of coming out.

We welcome submissions of essays (1000 to 1500 words in length) that tell a story of the coming out experience. Stories might focus on coming out to parents or family members, coming out to allies/friends, coming out on campus to roommates, friends, or teachers — or any important moment in your coming out process, including coming out to and getting comfortable with yourself. Stories might also reflect the experience of an ally who was there for a friend or family member who came out to them.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:

First prize $500

Second prize $300

Third prize $200

Submissions must be double spaced with one inch margins. Deadline for submission is Friday, October 18, 2019. Open to all currently enrolled ECU undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing. Click here to read more or to submit your essay.

Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC)

Meetings every Monday at 4 pm

QTPOC offers an opportunity to build community and explore the issues impacting students at the intersections of race, ethnicity, sexuality, and gender. All students who identify as African American, Latino/a/x, Indigenous, Asian American, Native American and LGBTQ+ are welcome to attend.

The weekly meetings, facilitated by Shaun Simon, Associate Director of the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center, take place in the Peel LGBTQ Center Conference Room (room 211 in the Main Campus Student Center).

Coffee House meets every Wednesday at 7 pm

Coffee House is a weekly gathering for students to share, to learn, and to grow. The 90-minute session covers different topics related to the LGBTQ/Ally community and offers the opportunity to learn more about yourself and meet other students. Coffee and snacks will be available each week. Coffee House meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

Coffee House meets in the Peel LGBTQ Center Conference Room (room 211 in the Main Student Center) and is facilitated by Jessica Melowski, Assistant Director for the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center.