Trans-focused events and programming on campus

This week is Mac Trans awareness week on campus. This is the third year for the campaign, run by MSU Women and Gender Equity Network and MSU Queer Students Community Centre, that aims to spark conversations around trans history navigating McMaster as a trans student, educational workshops for allies, and much more!

McMaster will also fly the trans flag above University Hall during this time.

Mac (Trans)forming events are below:

McMaster University: Mac (Trans)forming Week from November 14 – November 18 2016

Monday, November 14, 2016

Workshop: “What is Gender?!”

MUSC 318

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

If someone were to ask you, “What is gender?”, how would you respond? Is it really as simple as “girls play with dolls” and “boys play with cars”? Is gender really a spectrum? What if we thought about gender as a world map? Come and explore some fun gender models and gender theories with us! Open to trans, gender nonconforming, and gender questioning folks, as well as allies!

Movie Screening

MUSC 204

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Looking for a musical Monday night study break? Come join us in our space (MUSC 204) for a toll-free screening of everyone’s favourite multiracial-casted theatrical show! Popcorn and tea will be provided.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Workshop: “To Pass or Not to Pass?”

MUSC 313

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

A critical look at the element of “passing”; that is, how well a gender non-conforming person is perceived to conform to the binary. We will discuss why passing matters in some ways, and why it absolutely does not matter in others. This is not a workshop on methods of passing, but a discussion of the term and related issues.

Trans Community Group

MUSC 302

5:30-6:30 p.m.

The second meeting of McMaster’s trans community group welcomes members new and old. We hope to provide a safe, calm environment for students to take a break, relax, and enjoy some cocoa and snacks!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Workshop: Trans on Campus

MUSC 203

2:30-3:30 p.m. ~ Trans only session

3:30-4:30 p.m. ~ Open session

“Where are the gender-neutral washrooms in MUSC?”
“How do I change my name on my email?”
“Where can I find trans-inclusive health care clinics in the Hamilton area?”
Come and chat in a closed workshop about navigating spaces on campus and in Hamilton as a trans person. The second half of this event is open to allies who want to learn how to support trans and gender nonconforming folks on campus.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Clothing kits

MUSC 301

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

As a trans person, accessing clothing that accurately represents your gender expression is often times a dangerous and uncomfortable experience. We will be providing free clothing at this event for self-identifying trans or questioning persons. Pre-packaged clothing kits and binders will also be available at the event. If you are unable to attend the person, you can access the QSCC’s Clothing Packages Program, a free and confidential service, throughout the year. Email qscc@msu.mcmaster.ca to use this service. Binders are also available from WGEN at wgen@msu.mcmaster.ca.

Self-Expression Night

MUSC 203

7:30-9:30 p.m.

Come de-stress and make new friends while expressing your artistic side. We will be painting images that describe our perceptions and experience of gender on small canvases.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Trans(lating) History Timeline

Wilson Building 1811

12:30-5:30 p.m.

This art piece invites you to walk through 21 years of trans(lated) history in Canada and the United States. Through a cross-section of societal responses to and constructions of trans and gender nonconforming identities, the timeline provides an exploration of the (often violent) erasures of these identities and lives, as well as the beauty of trans and gender nonconforming resilience and strength. The piece acts as critical lens on (trans) history, prompting questions like: whose histories are valued? Who benefits from these events and these sorts of visibility? What groups are our movements failing?

Trans Walk of Remembrance

Wilson Building 1811

4:00-5:30 p.m.

Join WGEN, QSCC, and other allies on campus on a candlelight vigil to commemorate all those lost of anti-trans violence this year. We will begin our walk of remembrance at the Trans History Timeline art showcase, and continue to with a designated accessible walk around campus (~15 minutes).