At a time when the LGBTQ+ community is increasingly under attack, Portland State is creating a safe space this spring for students to explore topics around Two-Spirit, trans and queer health.
The seminar series — a 1-credit course or part of a 4-credit course — will bring together the expertise of PSU and OHSU faculty, community partners and practitioners in Portland through weekly guest lectures and panel presentations.
“We have a ton of expertise on this campus and in the Portland area,” says Miriam Abelson, professor and chair of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. “Students every day tell me about their interest in working in this field so we wanted to connect that expertise with the student interest.”
The seminar will meet on Mondays from 4:10 to 6 p.m. Topics will include Two-Spirit or Indigenous LGBTQ+ perspectives; legal and social considerations; gender-affirming healthcare; community health and advocacy; mental health and wellbeing; and cultural organizing and health. Students will have the opportunity to connect with clinicians and partners in the community doing the work and learn about potential career paths.
To take the seminar for credit, you can enroll in one of four courses:
2SLGBT Health (CH 410/510) | CRN 64525 or 64526
The only course requirement is attendance at the Monday seminars.
1 credit; no prerequisites
2SLGBTQ+ Psych & Health (PSY 410/510) | CRN 64511 or 64532
The only course requirement is attendance at the Monday seminars.
1 credit; no prerequisites
Topics in Medical Anthropology: 2SLGBTQ+ Health (Anth 425) | CRN 64442
This course will explore 2SLGBTQ+ health issues in U.S. and global contexts from an applied anthropological perspective. On Mondays, students will attend the seminar. On Wednesdays, students will meet in a discussion-based class. Course assignments include drafting a grant to develop an original 2SLGBTQ+ program.
4 credits; no prerequisites
Critical 2SLGBTQ Health (WS 375U) | CRN 64466
This course will bring critical queer, feminist, and Indigenous perspectives to the study of Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ health. On Mondays, students will attend the seminar. On Wednesdays, students will meet in a discussion-based class, exploring the topic through readings, short lectures and media centered on the intersection of race, sexuality, class, gender, disability, and nation.
4 credits; no prerequisites
This course satisfies requirements for Gender and Sexualities junior cluster and/or electives for Women’s Studies; Sexuality, Gender and Queer Studies; Public Health Studies; Social Work (equity and inclusion elective); and Psychology (human diversity requirement) majors
For those not wanting or needing course credit, the seminar series is open to all interested students, faculty and staff. RSVP for details.
“I'm hoping students can learn from the wealth of knowledge that we have in the area and contribute what they already know to grow this field and to provide competent services for those communities,” Abelson says.
The spring seminar is the kickoff to what faculty across campus are hoping will become a cluster of courses or credentials for students who want training or career paths in trans and queer health. Programs involved in the initiative include Anthropology; Chemistry; Indigenous Nations Studies; Psychology; Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; the School of Social Work; and the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health.
“In some ways, Portland and Portland State have always been a beacon for LGBT people from around the region and around the country, and we know that's just going to continue,” Abelson says. “This is a way where we can really recognize the need and be a place where students can feel supported, where our communities can feel supported, and then they can go out and have careers doing that work.”
To stay updated on the initiative’s efforts, fill out the interest form.