The Gender and Sexuality Center

The Gender and Sexuality Center addresses a myriad of issues on campus, including those of gender, sexual identity and sexual violence prevention, through programming, individual and group support, as well as collaboration with other departments and groups. The Center employs between ten and fifteen student workers each year (Center Associates) in addition to the full-time director.

Each year the Gender and Sexuality Center takes on new projects, and this one was no exception. After spending the first few weeks concentrating on the incoming class of 2009 through info sessions and social gatherings in conjunction with the interest houses (Queers & Allies and Women’s Awareness), the GSC swung into high-gear, using different programs to facilitate campus discussions on different identities. A number of prominent speakers have been to campus this year, including Dr. Mel White, the leader of the Soulforce organization, who spoke on campus about being gay and Christian. Abigail Garner, author of Families Like Mine also appeared, as did the Guerilla Girls and Michael Kaufman, a leading speaker on gender and violence. A week-long celebration of feminism was held in the fall, including a photo campaign where students, faculty, and staff proclaimed themselves as feminists. The Vagina Monologues were performed in January and raised a substantial amount of money for a local domestic abuse center, and was followed closely by the annual Rainbow Retreat, which allowed a large group of LGBTA students, staff, and faculty to spend a weekend off-campus, building community. Spring brought a focus on domestic violence with the annual celebration of Take Back the Night, and a farewell salute to the class of 2006.

The Collective for Women's Issues

The Collective for Women's Issues had a busy year, full of both annual events and new ideas. Fall term, we focused on Women's Week (aka "Fem Fest"). Fem Fest included a discussion on why people do or do not identify with the feminist movement and culminated with a performance by the renowned group The Guerilla Girls. Fall term also included a campaign entitled “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like,” in which hundreds of members of the campus community were photographed with signs displaying the aforementioned title. In winter term, our major event was a production of the Vagina Monologues. The production was a huge success, raising over $1350 for the HOPE Center, Rice County's support center for survivors of domestic violence. Winter term brought about a series of “You Are Beautiful” posters, featuring many sizes and shapes of Carleton women and men in an effort to encourage body-positivity. This spring, we worked on Take Back the Night in conjunction with St. Olaf and members of the Northfield community. This annual event included a rally and speak-out at the First United Church of Christ in Northfield, followed by a musical celebration in honor of survivors of rape and domestic violence. All in all, the 05/06 school year was both productive and progressive for CWI, as we make greater efforts to address issues relevant to campus women today.