In order to provide increased transparency and clarity on the Title IX and Sexual Misconduct policies and processes, the Title IX Office and the Gender-based Violence Prevention Team organized through the Gender & LGBTQIA Center are working together on a series of presentations. These presentations will take place during the following times and interested participants can register using these links:

Staff from the Title IX Office and confidential Violence Response staff will facilitate these presentations. Each will consist of a comprehensive overview of processes and resources followed by a Q&A session. This format is designed to communicate the nuance of the Title IX and Sexual Misconduct policy and procedures to the student body in a brief and palatable manner while highlighting important considerations, such as the federal mandates on university Title IX programs. Each presentation will include snacks sponsored by student and university organizations, including the Panhellenic Association, the WGSS Minor and the Performing Arts Department.

All students are encouraged to attend and gain a thorough and informed perspective on the Title IX and Sexual Misconduct policy at Elon as well as resources for support.

On Sunday, March 1 at 1:30 PM in Alumni Gym,  the NFL’s first openly LGBTQ player, Ryan Russell, will speak about “Living Your Truth” as the keynote speaker for the Men’s Leadership for Gender Equity Conference. Following the keynote, there is spectacular line-up of breakout sessions from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Moseley Center. Sessions include topics on empathy, communication, healthy relationships, allyship and bystander intervention. These breakouts are led by experts from the campus and community.

For those attending any or all of breakout sessions, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ who attend the keynote and three breakout sessions will receive a certificate of attendance! Community members do not need to register for the event, they can check-in at registration the day of the event.

This event is a partnership between Leadership Fellow Tim Boles for his Common Good Project and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center. A special thanks goes out to all of our sponsors, especially the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture Fund, the Interfraternity Council, the Student Government Association, the Center for Equity & Inclusive Excellence, the Title IX Office, and Women’s, Gender & Sexualities Studies. Special grants that helped make this event possible are the Hillaire Pickett Leadership Grant and the Don Chaplin and Andy Hunt Fund for supporting LGBTQIA students in the Elon Experiences.

The following are the breakout sessions scheduled for the conference. The locations will be available to participants when they check-in the day of the event. If you have further questions about the event, contact Becca Bishopric Patterson or the Gender & LGBTQIA Center.

Men and Masculinity in the Media

Presenter: Brandon Bell

This interactive session uses popular music, cartoons and movies to explore the construct of masculinity in our societies. Participants will have the chance to reflect on the media they consume to explore their own understanding of their masculinity and develop a more critical appetite for the media they consume.

Masculinities for Positive Relationships 

Presenters: Harry Titus & Joe Strid

Attendees will participate in activities that challenge gender norms and explore how stereotypes can harm men. Participants will engage in activities that build empathy for themselves and others.

Healthy Relationships

Presenters: Shannon Finney & Jubitza Figueroa

The first step toward having healthy relationships is learning to recognize the difference between unhealthy and healthy behaviors. This session dives into the characteristics of different types of relationships, examines related issues, and provides participants with the resources available at Elon Univeristy.

Trans Allyship 

Presenters: Trinity Dixon & Kate Lengyel

Learn more about transgender identities, specific issues that people in these communities face and how to be an active ally for these communities.

Wise Decisions: Preventing Sexual Violence on College ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈes

Presenter: Wise Guys Program Staff

Attendees will learn about the issues that surround sexual violence on college campuses and how to focus on healthy masculinity, sexuality and relationships. This workshop will empower college students to make healthy choices that will positively impact themselves, their partners and fellow students.

LGBTQIA Allyship – Part 1 

Presenters: Jay Tiemann & CJ Porterfield

This presentation will cover information about gender and sexual identities, LGBTQIA terms, basic ally tips, and Elon resources. Participants will leave feeling more confident in their LGBTQIA knowledge and with strategies on how can be an ally!

Soul Sessions: The Paradox of Hip-Hop, Hyper-masculinity and Homoerotica

Presenter: Derrick Luster

This program will utilize early and contemporary Hip-Hop song lyrics, concepts, and themes to unpack how paradoxical hypermasculine topics are, considering Hip-Hop artists’ homoerotic nature of addressing sex and love. The presentation will also contextualize toxic perceptions of masculinity within Hip-Hop, and how that affects support and respect for LGBTQ+ Hip-Hop artists.

Supporting Survivors

Presenters: Julia Metz & Felicia Cenca

This workshop begins with a review of what gender-based violence is, then primarily focuses on how to support survivors. This includes skills to effectively respond to disclosures, resources, and empathy building.

Masculinities For Positive Change

Presenters: Harry Titus & Joe Strid

In this session participants will learn how to use their privilege for good by putting their values into action. Attendees will learn about bystander intervention strategies and practice through scenarios.

LGBTQIA Allyship – Part 2

Presenters: Jay Tiemann & CJ Porterfield

Take your LGBTQIA ally strategies to the next level by diving into LGBTQIA history and interactive small group scenarios that prepare you to create change. Attendees to Part 1 & 2 can receive an official certificate of completion and LGBTQIA Ally button following the training.

Mentorship: The authentic and courageous journey

Presenter: Billy Baker

Participants will engage with their understanding of mentorship, while making sense and reflecting upon some of their most valuable mentor relationships.  Additionally, attendees will get the opportunity to engage in storytelling practices to refine the ways they share their experiences with others, while acknowledging their values and the unspoken social contracts that exist within hyper masculinity.

How to be Sex-essful 

Presenters: Julia Metz, Kate Lengyel, & Matt Reichenbach

This sex-positive program uses scenes from movies and tv shows to open up discussion about the differences and intersections between sex, consent, and pleasure. Our goal is to begin to build skillsets around asking for consent and prioritizing pleasure.

Challenging Rape Culture

Presenter: Xavier Bryant

Come learn how men can challenge rape culture and create a better world for folks of all genders!

Are You Man Enough?

Presenter: Christopher Horack

A discussion-based session designed to talk about how, as men, we could serve to improve our lives and the lives of those around us by being more courageous in our daily lives.

MLGE Flyer_Final

Hearts & Crafts – Friday, February 14 4:00pm-6:00pm – Gender & LGBTQIA Center (Moseley 211)

This Valentine’s Day, join the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for crafting, food, and socializing while learning about healthy relationships.

The Vagina Monologues – Friday, February 14 6:30pm & 9:00pm – Whitley Auditorium

¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ’s annual production of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues,” presented by EFFECT. Admission is $5 (cash and venmo only). No reservations needed. Proceeds benefit CrossRoads Sexual Assault Response & Resource Center of Alamance County. A catered reception for the student performers will be held in Steers Pavilion between the shows (around 8 p.m.), sponsored by the Women’s, Gender, & Sexualities Studies program. All are welcome.

Foundations of Trauma – Tuesday, February 18 4:00pm-5:00pm – Moseley 217

Are we missing the bigger picture? A person’s natural response to an intense or scary life event can take form in a breadth of ways that are often unseen and/or misunderstood. Ryan M. Graumann, LCMHC, CCTP will shed light on the nuances of a trauma response and how to best understand and support someone living in the wake of a traumatic experience. ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ and community support resources will also be identified and discussed in detail. Sponsored by Counseling Services and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center.

In addition to these events, the last week of the month, Monday, February 24 through Sunday, March 1, is our semi-annual Supporting Survivors Week sponsored by University departments, academic courses, student organizations and community partners.

Consensual Cupcakes – Monday, February 24 12:30pm-2:30pm – Moseley Kitchen

Join SPARKS Peer Education and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center to make cupcakes and learn more about the components of consent. Come decorate your own cupcake, pick up safer sex supplies, and enter to win limited-edition swag.

Trauma-Informed Yoga – Wednesday, February 26 5:30pm-6:30pm – McBride Gathering Space (Numen Lumen Pavilion) 

Join the Gender & LGBTQIA Center for a trauma-informed yoga flow class with Allison Agresti, LPC, LCAS from Counseling Services. Advocacy resources and yoga mats will be provided!

Step Up Leadershop – Wednesday, February 26 5:30pm-7:30p – Koenigsberger Learning Center 125

The Step Up Leadershop will help you act on your values by learning skills and strategies to respond in tough situations around biased language, substance use, hazing, and sexual violence. The Step Up Leadershop is sponsored by the Center for Leadership.

Survivor Support Allies 101 Workshop – Thursday, February 27 12:00pm-1:30pm – Oaks 212 

The Survivor Support Allies program is a cohort of faculty and staff who have been trained to support student survivors of gender-based harassment and violence. This workshop will provide training for faculty and staff to respond positively to disclosures, provide compassionate support, and share knowledge about campus options and resources for survivors. Training will include definitions and patterns of gender-based violence and resources available at Elon and in the Alamance community. A buffet lunch will be provided for those registered. Sponsored by the Office of Leadership & Professional Development, the Gender & LGBTQIA Center, and the Center for Equity & Inclusive Excellence. Register for Survivor Support Allies

Take Back the Night – Thursday, February 27 – 5:00pm-7:00pm 

        Speak-Out – 5:00pm-6:00pm – Whitley Auditorium

        Reception & Resource Fair – 6:00pm-7:00pm – Steers Pavilion 

Take Back the Night centers the experiences of survivors of gender-based violence, harassment, and abuse. Survivors from the campus and community are invited to share their stories in a confidential space surrounded by supportive friends, allies, and advocates. Confidential advocates will be available throughout the event to provide individual support. A reception in Steers Pavilion will follow the speak-out. Many campus and community resources, including confidential Violence Response, CrossRoads, Family Abuse Services, Counseling Services, the Title IX Office, the Gender & LGBTQIA Center, and student organizations will be present.

Men’s Leadership for Gender Equity Conference – Sunday, March 1 1:30pm-5:30pm – Alumni Gym & Moseley Center 

Join us for a half-day conference that promotes healthy masculinities and men’s engagement in efforts for gender equity on campus and in their daily lives. Breakout sessions led by campus and the community experts about identity, allyship, bystander intervention, and cultural competency will follow the keynote speaker. This opportunity is open to students of all genders. Be on the lookout for a special announcement about the keynote speaker and registration next week!

This conference is made possible through support from Leadership Fellow Tim Boles’ Common Good Project, the Hilaire Pickett Grant, the Gender & LGBTQIA Center, the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture Fund, the Student Government Association, the Title IX Office, the Center for Equity & Inclusive Excellence, the Interfraternity Council, and Women’s, Gender & Sexualities Studies.

For more information, you can follow the GLC’s events on Facebook or PhoenixCONNECT. Thanks so much and please reach out to the Gender & LGBTQIA Center if you have any questions!

Elon’s education for new students was recently recognized in a  and Sept. 26 through Oct. 3, Elon is honoring . Additionally, interdepartmental collaborations have resulted in a  to encourage students to access support through Safeline and the completion of an updated brochure and websites ( and Title IX) for survivors of violence.

Supporting Survivors Week is dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking to educate the community about prevention, response, and support for survivors.  

The week’s events are co-sponsored by various university departments, academic courses, student organizations, and community partners, including Elon Feminists for Equality, Change, and Transformation (EFFECT), ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ Promoting Awareness, Change, and Empowerment (SPACE), SafeLine, Violence Response, and the Gender & LGBTQIA Center (GLC). For full details about the events below, please see the attached flyer or PhoenixCONNECT.

At the campuswide College Coffee held Tuesday, Sept. 26, students were able to sign a banner symbolizing their commitment to supporting survivors and recognizing sexual violence. Additionally, campus and community members participated in a whiteboard campaign conveying why they believe and support survivors of violence. These whiteboard messages are part of the ongoing social media movement behind Supporting Survivors Week.

The survivor speak-out, Take Back the Night, was held in Whitley Auditorium as survivors gather to tell their stories with community members invited to show their support. The intention for the event is to create a safe and confidential space for survivors to share their stories around gender-based violence. A reception followed the event.

The film “The Hunting Ground” was shown in Schar Center’s Turner Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. This documentary explores the epidemic of sexual violence on college campuses across the country and its impact on students. There will be a short presentation and discussion afterward.

The March Against Victim-Blaming will take place at Speaker’s Corner on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 4:30 p.m. This is a powerful opportunity for members of the campus community to come together and raise their voices against gender violence and victim blaming.

Elon provides confidential support and advocacy for individuals affected by identity-based bias, harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence or stalking through its Safeline program. Call to receive support, resources or information 24/7 at (336) 278-3333.

Recently, Elon has been nationally recognized for its successful approach in ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈ skills related to sexual assault and consent. Commended for programs such as SPARKS and HealthEDU, studies show that through theatre-based programs, results and knowledge retention are much higher than traditional programs.

For more information about Title IX, violence prevention, supporting survivors, and how to get further involved, contact Assistant Director for the Gender & LGBTQIA Center Becca Bishopric Patterson (bbishopric@elon.edu), Coordinator for Violence Response Felicia Cenca (fcenca@elon.edu) or Title IX and Compliance Coordinator Carla Ugboro (cugboro@elon.edu).