By: Kevin Gosztola – Thursday August 22, 2013 9:45 pm

"The soldier who was sentenced to thirty-five years in prison for releasing United States government information that was published by WikiLeaks, Bradley Manning, came out as a woman this morning when [her] defense attorney announced that Manning was a [woman] and wanted to be called Chelsea Manning...
 
...Since Manning came out publicly and made the request, one would expect the United States press would universally be moving to covering any future news stories on Manning with the appropriate and requested pronouns. However, “NBC’s Today, USA TODAY, The Boston Globe, Politico, CNN, Fox, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times” are going to keep using the masculine pronoun. The Washington Post is also going to stick with the masculine pronoun as well."

 
Read the full story at http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2013/08/22/there-should-be-nothing-for-media-to-debate-she-should-now-be-used-to-refer-to-manning/.

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For questions or support and resources for LGBTQ-identifying, questioning, and allied students, faculty, and staff, contact Zach Kosinski, Graduate Coordinator for LGBTQ Programs at (410) 455-3463 or lgbtq@umbc.edu.

From UMBC's Women Involved in Learning and Leadership

There is an AMAZING opportunity to attend a leadership conference specifically designed for dynamic college women with incredible skill-building workshops, empowering speakers, a graduate school fair

 http://www.nccwsl.org/students/graduate-school-fair/

and networking opportunities!

The National Conference for College Women Student Leaders

 (NCCWSL <http://www.nccwsl.org/>) is that opportunity. 

Deadline to apply for a full scholarship : March 15th

Apply at : https://svc.aauw.org/nccwsl/reg/index.cfm

Full Scholarship Covers: Housing, Food, and Registration Fees

When registering : Select the "NCCWSL National Scholarship" option. 

You will be sent further instructions for the remaining part of the scholarship application via email.

Empowering speakers, the ability to share real-life experiences, and learning opportunities around the country. The deadline is fast approaching; don't let this wonderful opportunity pass. Apply soon!

UMBC hosted the guest speaker Stephen Prothero, acclaimed expert and author on religion, offered members of the UMBC community religious and spiritual insight during the discussion "God is Not One: The Eight Religions That Run the World and Why Their Differences Matter."
Prothero has authored numerous books on religion including God is not One: The Eight Rival Religions that Run the World and Religious Literacy. He is also a professor in the Department of Religion at Boston University and has appeared on mainstream news networks like CNN, MSNBC and FOX.

The discussion was held on Thursday, November 29 in the Skylight Lounge. About 50 students, faculty and visitors attended to hear Prothero's lecture, in which he emphasized the importance of educational literacy in religion in America.

"You can't make sense of the world without making sense of religion," said Prothero. He pointed out how religion affects major societal matters such as politics, military forces and government systems. "I believe humans are motivated by passions that cannot be seen."

Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity were some of the religions Prothero compared and contrasted. He also described how although the U.S. is the most religious country in the world, individuals have very little knowledge about religion itself.

"Religion has public power," he said, explaining that the media has displayed how religion affects human rights like abortion and marriage equality during the last decade. Individual morals and values differ across religions, which often ignites controversy regarding the legislation of these human rights.

One of Prothero's main goals is to encourage both teachers and professors to incorporate religious topics in their curriculum. "I think it would be good to teach world religions and Christianity in a general sense," said senior public health major Alexandra Mills. "It's important to discuss and have a basic understanding of different religions."

The discussion was sponsored by The Office of Student Life's Mosaic Center along with the Office of Undergraduate Education and several other co-sponsors. The Mosaic Center staff dedicates their time to creating and fostering cross-cultural collaboration and diversity on the UMBC campus through events such as Prothero's discussion.

"We like to find ways to be a more unified community at UMBC," said Assistant Director of Student Life for Cultural and Spiritual Diversity Lisa Gray.

"I agree that we should focus and celebrate our differences," said senior Asian studies major Yasmin Radbod. "We shouldn't assume that we are all the same."

The Point Foundation has announced that its scholarship application process will open online November 1, 2012.

Point Scholarships are designed to help promising LGBTQ students achieve their full academic and leadership potential despite obstacles. Scholars must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement, and financial need. Attention also will be paid to students who have lost the financial and social support of their families and/or communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Point Scholars must agree to maintain a high level of academic performance and to give back to the LGBTQ community through the completion of an individual community service project each year. Some Point Scholars also benefit from internship opportunities related to their fields of study.

Scholarships provide approximately $25,000 per scholar, per year. Each scholar is paired with a mentor and participates in leadership development training with fellow Point Scholars, including an annual leadership conference. After graduating, Point Scholars become part of Point's growing alumni network. Point Scholarships are awarded on a "last provider" basis, providing funding to supplement other scholarships, grants, loans, work/study programs, etc. Point Scholars must secure as much outside funding as possible.

Students who will be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs for the 2013-14 school year are eligible to apply for the multiyear scholarships. Applications will be reviewed by a team of forty-five trained educators, school counselors, and foundation staff and board members. The selection process concludes with face-to-face interviews with Point's staff and Board of Regents during May 2013. The 2013 Point Scholar Class will be announced in June 2013.

Individuals may nominate a student online and download an application information flyer. Applicants will have until 11:59 p.m. PST on January 14, 2013, to submit Part I of the application. Qualifying applicants will be invited to then submit Part II of the application. Part II will made available November 2, 2012, and remain open until 11:59 p.m. PST, January 28, 2013. Applications are only accepted online.

Visit the Point Foundation Web site for complete program information and the online nomination and application forms.