On Wednesday, March 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. Luther College’s Identity Studies Department hosted  “LGBTQ 201: Inclusivity Beyond the Basics Training.” The event was hosted in the Center For Faith and Life (CFL) recital hall with training provided by ONEIOWA and facilitated by program coordinator Malycki Mañon-Sosa. The training focused on understanding different gendered terms and systems, the basic terminologies of the LGBTQIA+ community, and understanding the difference between sexualities and genders.

Luther Professor of Sociology and Identity Studies department head Charlotte Kunkel was part of the organizing committee for the training. She explained that such events are essential,  simultaneously educating community members about the LGBTQIA+ community and supporting members of that community on campus. Kunkel believes that events like this are also a crucial step towards achieving a more inclusive community. 

“As a community, we can be more inclusive through basic human respect, like asking people about their identity and respecting it,” Kunkel said. “We can also do more to make our curriculum more inclusive and work towards a more inclusive and diverse staff and student body.” 

The training provided a thorough breakdown of the multiple ways in which people identify. It specifically focused on the use of gendered pronouns in different languages worldwide, and how to be more inclusive by using neutral pronouns when speaking and not assuming one’s gender identity. 

Kirby Masso (‘24), one of the students in attendance, attended the event because he wanted to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community and how he can contribute towards making the campus a safer place for everyone. Masso also commented on some steps the community could take toward achieving a more inclusive community. 

“One way we can be more inclusive is by creating more gender-neutral bathrooms on campus,” Masso said. “Events like these are important to ensure our community is safe, but the process does not stop there. We need to take more action.”

An interactive session followed the training, where participants asked questions and engaged in discussions about the training material. Participants’  questions centered around using gender-neutral words in languages with gendered words for everything, how people can be allies to the LGBTQIA+ community, and about speaking up against discrimination against LGBTQIA+ community members. Kunkel spoke about what she hoped participants would learn from the training.

“I hope people walk away with more knowledge or affirmation of things they already knew and the empowerment to challenge and ask questions about things they don’t know or understand,” Kunkel said. 

For more information regarding similar events and trainings in the future, those interested can reach out to Luther College Pride or the Department of Identity Studies.