Annual Events
Year-Round
LGBTGIF Lunches @ KCPC on FRidays
Thank goodness it’s Friday!
Bringing back a campus tradition, all LGBTQIA+ faculty, staff and students are welcome to bring their lunches and eat in company with community at the K.C. Potter Center every Friday from 12-2pm from January 12th, 2024 – April 26th, 2024. Bring your lunch and enjoy our assortment of coffees and teas. Find out more on AnchorLink.
Want to sponsor a luncheon? Email lgbtqi@vanderbilt.edu.
Fall Semester
Fall Semester Welcome Week
Welcome Week is a group of events that kick off the academic year and welcome LGBTQ2S+ and ally individuals to campus as first-year students, back from the summer, or as transfer students. It’s your chance to connect with others and find out what the community here at Vanderbilt has to offer.
Diverse ‘Dores Day
Explore some of the Vanderbilt diversity and inclusion offices on campus by attending Diverse ‘Dores Day. Free food, music, office tours, and activities will be open to all Vanderbilt students. If you visit all the participating spaces, you can snag a free t-shirt! Find out more here. #diversedores
interNational Celebrate BiSExuality day
This day, celebrated on or around September 23rd, is a call for the LGBTQ2S+ community, friends, and supporters to recognize and celebrate bisexual history, the bisexual community, and bi culture. Events are typically co-sponsored with the Vanderbilt Lambda Association, including a Bi-B-Q dinner!
October LGBTQ2S+ History Month
October is a celebration of LGBTQ2S+ history and people. It includes the celebration of National Coming Out Day (October 11th) and educational programs around the wide variety of LGBTQ2S+ identities, providing LGBTQ2S+ and allied individuals a space to come together. Featured guest speakers, the Vanderbilt Lambda Association’s Annual Drag Show, and various events with faculty and staff on campus highlight the month’s worth of events. #BeYouatVU
Transgender Day of Remembrance and resilience in NOvember
This day, observed on or around November 20th internationally, is a day to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia, the hatred or fear of transgender and gender nonconforming people. We partner with several community organizations across middle Tennessee for this event, such as the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, T-Vals, PFLAG, and many more. Learn more about these community groups here.
Spring Semester
Out in Front LGBTQI and Ally Undergraduate Student Leadership Conference in February*
Student leaders have the chance to meet and network with peers from across the state and Southeast region to share resources, develop leadership skills, and foster a strong community of LGBTQ2S+ and allied student leaders. The mission of OUT in Front is to engage students, faculty, and staff from across the region in issues relevant to the LGBTQ2S+ community and society at large through an all-day conference event with a guest keynote speaker and/or performer. *On pause in 2024.
LGBTQI Conference @ Vanderbilt in March
In place of OiF, we will host a Vanderbilt 2024 LGBTQI Conference on campus for undergraduate and graduate students, professional students, postdocs, faculty, staff, and community partners on Thursday, March 28th, 2024. Stay tuned for information about our co-sponsored event with the keynote speaker, Dominique Morgan, on Wednesday, March 27th with Inclusion Tennessee.
Lavender Celebration in May
Lavender Celebration is a tradition that began in 2008 at Vanderbilt, held in addition to regular commencement activities. Its aim is to celebrate the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and allied graduating undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and staff. All members of the Vanderbilt community are welcome to join us for this special evening ceremony and community dinner. Find out about our Lavender Celebration here.
Summer Semester
Nashville Pride parade
The Office of LGBTQI Life organizes Vanderbilt’s group to walk behind a banner at the Nashville Pride Parade. All members of the Vanderbilt University and VUMC are invited to join us. We will reach out to all who sign-up with further instructions on our meeting place. To march in June 2024, sign-up here.
Be sure to check out our Events Calendar and our Instagram for other great programs and events sponsored by LGBTQI Life. #BeYouatVU