MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY
A N N U A L
R E P O R T
ANNUAL REPORT
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ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Introduction
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ANNUAL REPORT
Growing our engagement
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Executive Director/ Executive Editor: Justin Drwencke
MBLGTACC 2021
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Director of Marketing & Communications/Editor/ Designer: Nick Pfost Board Treasurer: Khamille De Lara
Podcast and policy chatter
The state of our flagship program
ALSO FEATURED
Cover: iStock
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Photographers: Tyler Williams Steven Wang
MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY
Financial statements
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Our team
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INTRODUCTION Among a new wave of anti-trans, anti-queer legislation, 2021 provided some grim headlines for the queer and trans community. States across the country, including several in the Midwest, introduced bills to criminalize healthcare for transgender youth, restrict trans participation in sports, limit school curriculum, and prohibit expansive local nondiscrimination ordinances. In addition to legislative attacks, queer and trans people continued to navigate a global pandemic, racialized police violence, mounting student loan and medical debt, and an escalating climate crisis. This context set the stage for the Midwest Institute
•
We launched QUEER POLICY TALKS and
for Sexuality and Gender Diversity’s activities
partnered with the University of Michigan
throughout the past year. Our work emphasizes
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy to hold
building community and building strong movements.
the inaugural conversation: “Why Are We Talking
By building community among queer and trans youth, we improve health and academic outcomes.
About Sports?” •
We launched TAKE THE LAST BITE, a podcast
Importantly, building community care ensures activists
highlighting advocacy, activism, and movement
and advocates have resources to sustain their efforts. A
work by queer and trans communities in the
strong community builds a strong movement; we are
Midwest.
empowering the next generation of queer and trans change makers to take on harmful anti-trans and anti-
Financially, the Institute ended 2021 with $57,793 in
queer actions and messaging.
net assets, an increase of $16,413 from December 31, 2020. We continue to focus on external support for our
We’re pleased to share some highlights of our
programs; in 2021, we secured $67,000 in sponsorship
accomplishments in 2021:
for MBLGTACC.
•
•
We held the 29th annual MIDWEST BISEXUAL LESBIAN GAY TRANSGENDER ASEXUAL
Looking forward, we will continue connecting,
COLLEGE CONFERENCE in Madison, Wisconsin.
educating, and empowering queer and trans students
The theme of this gathering was From Protest and
from across the Midwest. We can take on anti-trans and
Beyond Pride.
anti-queer rhetoric, and we will win. A queer future is
We held the 5th annual TRANS(GENDER)
inevitable.
JUSTICE TEACH-IN, in partnership with the
University of Minnesota Duluth’s Sexuality and Gender Equity Initiatives ANNUAL REPORT
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MISSION WE EMPOWER STUDENTS OF DIVERSE SEXUALITIES AND GENDERS TO INSPIRE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE; LEAD HIGHER EDUCATION COLLEAGUES IN RELEVANT AND
INCLUSIVE
PRACTICES;
AND
ADVANCE
KNOWLEDGE OF SEXUALITY AND GENDER THROUGH ADVOCACY AND EXPANSIVE PROGRAMMING.
VISION WE
RE-ENVISION
AN
EDUCATIONAL
CLIMATE
THAT CENTERS THE NEEDS AND EXPERIENCES OF
SYSTEMICALLY
DISADVANTAGED
STUDENTS
AND AFFIRMS AND ENCOURAGES SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY.
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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY
VA LU ES OUR CORE VALUES ARE STATEMENTS OF WHO WE 1, 2, 3...
ARE AND HOW WE PRIORITIZE THE WORK THAT WE DO. THEY SHAPE HOW WE OPERATE AS A TEAM AND ORGANIZATION. THEY GROUND US, IN EVERYTHING WE DO, IN OUR VISION, MISSION, AND PURPOSE. ACCESSIBILITY
ADVOCACY
We provide opportunities that are considerate
We uplift the voices of systemically
of varying intellectual, physical, and financial
disadvantaged students and colleagues as well
capacities and levels of college readiness.
as act as accomplices to all those participating in anti-oppression work.
ACCOUNTABILITY
COMMUNITY
We vow transparency in our processes, take
Through intentional collaboration, we liaise for
ownership of our limitations and commit to
various social justice efforts to build sustainable
continuous self-work. Through this modeling, we
coalitions and strengthen relationships across
expect and challenge our colleagues and partners
difference.
to do the same.
EDUCATION
LIBERATION
We emphasize the importance of culturally
We situate ourselves in this work with
relevant academic experiences and expanding
determination to annihilate systemic barriers,
understandings of students’ integration into
combat deeply ingrained beliefs and practices
campus life.
that negatively impact our communities, and conduct our work with urgency toward an inevitable revolution.
ANNUAL REPORT
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Transgender Justice Teach-In, Nov. 2021
GROWING OUR ENGAGEMENT The Take the Last Bite podcast and Queer Policy Series join our lineup, bringing Institute-supported opportunities to students, higher ed pros, and the public throughout the year.
TAKE THE LAST BITE In August 2021, the Institute published the first episode of our new podcast, Take the Last Bite. After years of contemplating a podcast, the launch came at a time when folks were in the height of experiencing isolation, loneliness and disconnection from vital LGBTQ+ spaces. The intention of Take the Last Bite is to be a direct counter to the “Midwest Nice” mentality by highlighting advocacy, activism, and movement work by queer and trans communities in the Midwest. The first season ran bi-weekly from August 2021 through January 2022. Many of our episodes bring together members of the Institute team plus organizational partners and friends to discuss major issues within our region, including 6
MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY
Midwest Nice, rurality, aging and death, the service and hospitality industries, comedy, and much more. Season 1 wrapped up by engaging our team members about what brought them joy and/or taught them the greatest lessons in 2021 for a series of “small bites.” From August through December 2021, we accrued 324 listens or downloads across a variety of podcast platforms.
QUEER POLICY TALK The Institute hosted the inaugural event of a new queer policy series in July 2021, in partnership with the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. This new program aims to convene policymakers, leaders, and students to examine policies at various levels that impact queer and trans students and youth, and to provide tools and insight for effecting policy changes that embrace and affirm diverse sexualities and genders. The virtual talk, “Trans Policy Issues:
moderated by NAOMI GOLDBERG, deputy director and LGBTQ program director at the Movement Advancement Project.
Barnes
Guests included KATIE BARNES, feature writer at ESPN, and CHRIS MOSIER, Olympic Trials athlete and founder of TransAthlete.com. In a nuanced, hourlong conversation, they looked broadly at trans rights and what is happening in state legislatures around the country, focusing in on why sports have been a key issue—and
Goldberg
why the freedom to compete is about much more than sports. WATC H RECORD I N G sgdinstitute.org/programs/ queer-policy
Why Are We Talking About Sports?” was
Mosier
“Sports is the entry point for a lot of these politicians. We’ve seen these bills be packaged... with bills that prevent trans people from having IDs that match who they are, and that
has a significant impact on how we can live our daily lives.”
Howard
Chris Mosier, Olympic Trials athlete and founder of TransAthlete.com
TRANS(GENDER) JUSTICE TEACH-IN In 2021, the Institute continued a partnership with University of Minnesota Duluth’s Sexuality and Gender Equity Initiatives to host the 5th annual Transgender Justice Teach-In, an event centering the knowledge, experiences and liberation of trans, nonbinary and intersex people. The focus of the 2021 session was “The Next Genderation: Building Liberated Futures with Queer and Trans Youth.” We hosted four panelists whose work directly engages
queer and trans youth: ROMEO JACKSON, BISHOP HOWARD, MERRIQUE JENSON,
and CODY CHARLES.
Charles
The key talking points addressed by the panel included: •
What do we mean by “youth?”
•
How to uplift youth in movement work and service spaces
•
The specific experiences of QTIBIPOC youth and the panelists approaches to their work from an
Jenson
intersectional perspective WATC H RECORD I N G sgdinstitute.org/programs/ transgender-justice
ANNUAL REPORT
Jackson
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MBLGTACC 2021 29TH ANNUAL MIDWEST BISEXUAL LESBIAN GAY TRANSGENDER ASEXUAL COLLEGE CONFERENCE In October 2021, the Institute hosted the 29th annual Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Asexual College Conference in Madison, WI. This is the first time the conference has been hosted in the fall—a decision prompted by the uncertainty of COVID-19 transmissions rates and protocols around large-gatherings.
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The pandemic factored greatly in the
With questions around whether colleges and
attendee numbers at this year’s conference.
universities would be allowing students to
Where we traditionally garner upwards of
travel or attend out-of-state in-person events,
1200 attendees at MBLGTACC, this year
a virtual component was incorporated into
we reported 339 in-person and 137 virtual
this year’s conference. Attendees were able
attendees. The Monona Terrace Community
to purchase a virtual ticket and obtain access
and Convention Center provided attendees
to streamed content and a virtual chat space.
with enough space to maintain physical
We are examining opportunities to continue
distance yet also provide the experience of
offering virtual content to a digitally-base
feeling surrounded by community.
audience at future conferences.
MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY
The slate of speakers and entertainers aligned with the conference planning team’s declared theme: “From Protest and Beyond Pride.” MIA MINGUS and M. ADAMS presented keynotes and several local
educators, organizers and activists were invited to provide skill share sessions. This newly envisioned programming component prioritized individuals who could educate attendees on a particular skill or craft for a more interactive experience. The Institute also increased wellness programs for attendees. In addition to our normal offerings, such as safe sex resources, HIV/STI testing, and counseling services, we also ensured all Institute staff, U-W Madison staff, and student planners were trained to identify the symptoms of an opiod overdose and administer Naloxone.
“Yes, it is a celebration of queer identity, of queer survival and of queer healing. But we also want to recognize the root of queer movement and queer culture in civil resistance.” Steven Wang, MBLGTACC 2021 planning team, to Madison365.
The Institute secured $67,000 in external funding to support the 2021 MBLGTACC, including sponsorship from Destination Madison, University of WisconsinMadison, CUNA Mutual Group, American Family Insurance, UW Health, Wipfli LLC, Total Administrative Services Corporation, Diverse and Resilient, and a grant of $5,000 from the New Harvest Foundation.
ANNUAL REPORT
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FY 2021 | January 1 - December 31, 2021
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES REVENUE, GAINS, AND OTHER SUPPORT Without donor restrictions
With donor restrictions
Total
Contributions
$ 43,178
$ 71,038
$ 114,216
Interest income
$ 21
Refunds
$ (1,105)
TOTAL REVENUE
$ 42,094
$ 21 $ (1,105) $ 71,038
$ 113,132
NET ASSETS RELEASED FROM RESTRICTIONS Without donor restrictions
With donor restrictions
Net assets released from restrictions
$ 70,952
$ (70,952)
TOTAL REVENUE AND NET ASSETS RELEASED FROM RESTRICTION
$ 113,046
$ 86
$ 113,132
Without donor restrictions
With donor restrictions
Total
$ 93,562
$-
$ 93,562
General & administrative
$ 2,980
$-
$ 2,980
Fundraising
$ 177
$-
$ 177
Total support services
$ 3,157
$-
$ 3,157
TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 96,719
$-
$ 96,719
Increase in Net Assets
$ 16,327
$ 86
$ 16,413
Net Assets - Beginning of year
$ 41,379
$-
$ 41,379
Net Assets - End of year
$ 57,706
$ 86
$ 57,793
Total
EXPENSES Program services Support services
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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY
FY 2021 CONTINUED
FINANCIAL POSITION
CASH FLOWS
Assets
CASH AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
Current assets
$ 37,707
$ 44,561
Cash
$ 38,849
Accounts receiveable
$ 18,948
Fixed assets TOTAL ASSETS
Cash flow from operating activities
$-
Increase in net assets
$ 16,413
$ 57,797
Changes that (used) provided cash and cash equivalents
$-
Liabilities Current liabilities
$-
Accounts payable
$5
Uncashed checks
$-
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$5
Accounts receivable
$ (14,273)
Accounts payable
$ (998)
TOTAL CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$ 1,142
CASH AT END OF PERIOD
$38,849
Net Assets Assets without donor restrictions
$ 57,706
Assets with donor restrictions
$ 86
TOTAL NET ASSETS
$ 57,793
TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS
$57,797
FIND PRIOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & TAX FILINGS ONLINE SGDINSTITUTE.ORG/ABOUT/TRANSPARENCY
ANNUAL REPORT
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OUR TEAM VOLUNTEER STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JUSTIN DRWENCKE Executive Director
STEPHANIE SKORA President
ROZE R.B. BROOKS Director of Operations
KHAMILLE DE LARA Director of Finance
ANDY SWICK Director of Technology
MATTHEW ANDERSON, ESQ. Secretary
NICK PFOST Director of Marketing & Communications
MICHELLE WALTERS Executive Coordinator
DANIELLE KROPVELD Fundraising Coordinator
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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY
WITH ADDITIONAL THANKS TO T.K. Morton
Noah Barth
Mai Jakubowski
Lee Dyer
Robert Alberts
CONTACT INFORMATION General inquiries: hello@sgdinstitute.org Collaborations: justin@sgdinstitute.org Historical archives: noah@sgdinstitute.org MBLGTACC: rb@sgdinstitute.org Press or media: marketing@sgdinstitute.org Sponsorships & giving: justin@sgdinstitute.org Website comments: webmaster@sgdinstitute.org
ANNUAL REPORT
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© 2022 Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity P.O. Box 1053 | East Lansing, MI 48826 | sgdinstitute.org
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MIDWEST INSTITUTE FOR SEXUALITY AND GENDER DIVERSITY