Posts Tagged: LGBTQ

LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group seeks videos to celebrate coming out

The UC ANR LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group is planning to celebrate National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. We will be creating a video compilation of ANR employees sharing messages in recognition of coming out. The video will be shared with ANR colleagues.

There are two options for participating. You can record a 1-2 minute video on your own or, in early to mid-September, Ricardo Vela can film your responses to one or more of the following prompts:

• What was coming out like for you? 
• What do you wish you had known as you were coming out? 
• What would you say to colleagues who are considering coming out this year? 
• If you came out by choice, what was the reason you decided to come out?

If you are interested in creating a message, please reach out to Katherine Soule at kesoule@ucanr.edu by Sept. 3. Once your participation is confirmed, she will share the formatting requirements for filming your own statement or set up a time for you to work with Vela.

Finally, if you are interested in joining the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, please email Rebecca Ozeran at rkozeran@ucanr.edu.

You can learn more about the group at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/About_Us_705/Employee_Resource_Groups/#LGBTQ.

Join ANR Pride Month activities in June

ANR's LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group has lots of activities planned for celebrating Pride Month in June: interactive Zoom sessions and weekly emails on the history of Pride, LGBTQ+ basics, and more.

“First, we will send out weekly educational emails to highlight the history of the LGBTQ+ community in the US, including a deeper dive into the various identities included in the LGBTQ+ umbrella,” said event co-organizer Rebecca Ozeran, UCCE livestock and natural resources advisor for Fresno and Madera counties. “Second, we are hosting three interactive Zoom sessions with time for discussion after each one.”

The first Zoom session will be introductory, including why it's important for us all to learn more about the community. The second session will include a documentary on Stonewall and the history of Pride Month.

The third session, June 30, will include a special guest facilitator Sam Gottlieb leading a book discussion of “A Year Without a Name” by Cyrus Grace Dunham. Participants who register by June 1 may request an e-copy of the book.

Gottlieb (he/they) is director of people & culture at RISE, a nonprofit organization that serves both victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault/abuse as well as their loved ones. Gottlieb provides queer education workshops and talks to a variety of audiences covering a broad range of topics. They believe in the power of conversation and strive to embolden folks to enter into meaningful discussions.

When:

Zoom sessions on Wednesdays, June 9, 16 and 30 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with the option to continue discussions until noon. Weekly emails will go out every Tuesday in June, beginning on Tuesday, June 1.

Why:

To learn more about Pride Month and how ANR can support the LGBTQ+ community.

How:

Register for one or more Zoom sessions by clicking here. Weekly emails will be sent out to all of ANR so you do not need to register to receive them.

If you have questions, contact Ozeran at rkozeran@ucanr.edu. If you would like to join the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group, email Ozeran or Katherine Soule at kesoule@ucanr.edu.

 

 

 

UC ANR stands firmly by values of diversity and inclusivity

Dear Colleagues,

I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the wave of emotions we are all feeling. Our nation has been shaken by the tragic death of yet another unarmed Black man, George Floyd. This brutal event, followed by protests by those who are grieving, has now led to a level of violence that has been shocking to all of us. A great many of us are experiencing pain, fear, anger and hopelessness. Let me assure you, that the leaders of UC ANR, including myself, stand firmly by our values of diversity and inclusivity and denounce all forms of bigotry. To those within our community who have suffered from such bigotry, we stand with you and with everyone who stands against racism, racial profiling, police brutality and injustice.

I strongly support the statement released by President Napolitano and Regents' Chair John Perez on behalf on the UC system. Among other points, it recognizes that silence is complicity: “No matter how difficult, we must individually and collectively reflect on the lives lost unnecessarily, and address head on the systemic problems and challenges we all face as a society.”  President Napolitano further stated that one of UC's bedrock principles is “…that all people are equal and deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully. We all deserve to live, work and go about our lives without fear."

Although we may feel hopeless and despair, we can be part of the solution. As stated in our UC ANR Principles of Community: “Members of the far-reaching UC ANR community have the right to work in an environment that promotes fairness, trust, respect, and physical and emotional safety and security.” Such principles are not just for the workplace, they need to extend to all interactions we have with others. Let's continue to take action and confront bigotry while striving to create the open and equitable society that we are all entitled to.

California's strength is its diversity; our UC ANR mission has always been to serve all segments of the state's population. I ask that everyone think proactively about how we can help our communities move forward. Whether you are helping small farmers reach new markets, preparing our youth to participate in civic engagement, helping limited-resource families access resources, or working on any of our many other wide-ranging programs, you truly make a difference in the lives of all Californians. You, the multi-talented ANR staff and academics, are responsible for that, and I deeply thank you for your work and dedication. 

There is much work yet to do. The UC ANR Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Alliance is building institutional support for all UC ANR personnel to learn and contribute to these efforts. I hope you will join as well.

We care about every one of you. Please stay safe and be sure to care for yourself and your loved ones in this difficult time. 

Best wishes and warmest regards,

Glenda Humiston 
Vice President

Show your UC ANR pride on Big Dig Day, June 5

Greetings! I'm reaching out to you in preparation for our UC ANR divisionwide, online fundraising event: Big Dig Day on June 5.

In times of crisis, and beyond, it's important to share that the work of UC ANR is critical; Big Dig Day is an opportunity to highlight our work and seek philanthropic support from the community. If you need examples of the impact ANR has, see the recently completed 2019 Annual Report, Working for the Benefit of All Californians, produced by Program Planning and Evaluation. 

I'm asking you to join me and do three things to help support this unique campaign:

1. Save-the-Date: June 5—follow UC ANR on social media channels for updates and share what makes you proud to be part of the UC ANR team.
2. Consider making a personal gift on June 5 to your favorite statewide program, county or REC at ucanr.edu/bigdig
3. Invite your friends, family and network to join in supporting you and the work of UC ANR by making a gift. Donations of any size will have an immediate impact.

I've been so encouraged by the can-do spirit of our colleagues and volunteers in the face of adversity and uncertain times. The worst of circumstances often brings out the best in people. I know Big Dig Day will be another example of how together we can rise to the challenge.

Thank you,  

Glenda

P.S. – Download and print “Flat Happy McGivins,” our Big Dig Day mascot! Take Flat Happy with you to your garden, workspace, virtual club meetings, etc. and snap aselfie! Then post it on social media with a message that says, "I dig (INSERT PROGRAM NAME) because...(FILL IN THE BLANK!") #BigDigDay #DigDeep —and earn the chance to win a $50 gift card in a raffle.

In memoriam: Travis Bean

Dear Colleagues, 

I am sorry to share with you the sad news that Travis Bean passed away a few days ago. Travis joined UC ANR and the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at UC Riverside as a UC Cooperative Extension weed science specialist on Sept. 1, 2014. 

Patricia Springer, UC Riverside professor and chair of the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, learned from Travis' father about his passing. Unfortunately we don't have details such as the cause of his death or a memorial service. We will share additional information when it becomes available.

Travis was a respected scientist and a valued colleague who will be missed.

Glenda Humiston
Vice President

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