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Union County Announces 2021 Queer Empowerment Hour Series

queer empowerment hour flyerFree virtual story and discussion program runs all year, from March 10 to December 8.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the 2021 OUT in Union County: Queer Empowerment Hour series with host Micayla Mirabella. The free virtual series, organized by the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, begins on Wednesday, March 10 and runs through December 8, 2021. Each conversation will be held on the second Wednesday of each month and each hour-long session will begin at 7:00 pm.

“The County of Union stands with the LGBTQ+ community and strives to promote advocacy, awareness and action,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Board of County Commissioners is proud to host this series and many others like this that can help to normalize acceptance. We are proud to be one of the most diverse counties in New Jersey and this series will educate and expand the understanding of our diversity.”

The OUT in Union County: Queer Empowerment Hour series will explore LGBTQ+ specific topics and offer stories and discussions involving queer folks from different backgrounds and experiences, in an hour-long format that includes some of New Jersey’s most dedicated LGBTQ+ advocates, community leaders, and allies.

Registration is required to join the Zoom session or watch live on the County of Union, New Jersey Facebook page. The schedule and registration links can be found at ucnj.org/lgbtq

“Efforts like this are essential in uncertain times to give LGBTQ+ folks comfort and a sense of community,” said Commissioner Vice Chair Rebecca Williams, who is liaison to the Commissioner Board’s LGBTQ+ Ad Hoc Committee. “Giving LGBTQ+ people and allies educational resources through innovative programming can positively affect the community around us online from the safety of our own homes.”

The schedule of sessions is as follows:

  • Wednesday, March 10: Youth & Bullying (the effects of bullying on LGBTQ+ youth)
  • Wednesday, April 14: The “+” in LGBTQ+ (learn more about different identities)
  • Wednesday, May 12: Mental Health (mental health professionals discuss LGBTQ+ issues)
  • Wednesday, June 9: The History of PRIDE (how Pride came to be & where we are now)
  • Wednesday, July 14, Love Makes a Family (hear from people all of different family structures)
  • Wednesday, August 11: LGBTQ+ Elders (get to know the experiences from multiple generations)
  • Wednesday, September 8: Faith & LGBTQ+ (queer inclusion throughout different houses of worship)
  • Wednesday, October 13: Coming Out (celebrate coming out & share experiences)
  • Wednesday, November 10: Trans Youth (learn how to be an ally to transgender & nonbinary youth)
  • Wednesday, December 8: Queer Sex Ed (healthcare & STI prevention/awareness)

The Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs provides a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/lgbtq.

For more information and updates on all Union County services and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for using the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University and the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, the new Union County COVID-19 website at ucnj.org/covid19. For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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