Michelle Chen: Cat Walking to Freedom

drag queen at Upenn drag show backstage portrait

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Michelle Chen

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Recently, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBTQ) Center at Upenn hosted one of their most exciting events of the year: the QSA Drag Show.  Getting the opportunity to get backstage and preshow access, I was able to get a unique glimpse into the small, but boisterous community.  The center acts as a home away from home for those sexual and gender minorities at the University of Pennsylvania.  One of the representatives said, “ the Center welcomes those that question their identity, in the process of coming out, or proudly identify as LGBTQ.”

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

drag show makeup back stage

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

 

They offer peer mentorships, safe spaces to study and socialize, and a calendar full of events like this Drag Show.  As one of the oldest and most active LGBTQ, the center hosted events to serve UPenn’s students, faculty, and staff like its Queer Factor week.  One of the participants in the Drag Show, Eric, told me, during the last week of March, they host events that range from learning about LGBT history at Penn, discussions with queer writers, performances by Ulanday Barret who is a disabled pinoy-american transgender poet, chats with a queer pastor, film screenings of “The Normal Heart” that tells the story of the HIV/AIDS crisis in New York in 1981, and showcase of research on queer theory.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

transgender student, Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

I had the opportunity to watch the screening of Mala Mala, which tells the transgender experience and powerful transformation through the eyes of nine trans individuals in Puerto Rico.  As I was watching the film, I looked around me and it was easy to see that all the people in the room were riding an emotional roller coaster as they watched these LGBT advocates fight for their own personal and community acceptance.  Many of these performers themselves have been in through triumphant highs and devastating lows as they lived a life of self-discovery.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

transgender students, Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

During the drag show, as the participants flaunted and cat walked down the runway, they were not only doing it as part of their character, but also to showcase to the Penn community the problems that LGBTQ communities face and how they need to be united together as friends.  Each of these performers showcased their inner diva, royalty, and their true face at this show.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

transgender student, Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Photography and Text by Michelle Chen, Copyright 2015

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About The Author: Michelle Chen is a senior enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.

UPenn: Took Back The Night

Take Back the Night Poster Upenn campus peaceful protest

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Posted on April 27, 2015

On a recent Thursday evening, as the sun started to set on Penn’s college green, students began to gather there in solidarity. The reason: Take Back The Night, a nationwide peaceful protest that focuses on eliminating sexual and domestic violence. A poster making session had been held the night before at the Penn Women’s Center, and numerous brightly colored signs were created for the cause. The signs were distributed to all of the students, faculty, and other protesters who joined the Take Back the Night rally and march. A small speaker series took place at  six pm on the stairs of college hall. Despite the vivid neon posters that littered the grass around them, the atmosphere was surprisingly somber and thoughtful, as the partakers listened intently to the shocking statistics and stories of sexual assault.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

peaceful protest college hall Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Immediately following the speakers, the energy suddenly reversed from solemn to lively. Protesters quickly filled in the ranks and began to march behind the Take Back the Night leaders. The massive protest looped throughout the entire campus with the beat of drums, and sounds of shouting and chanting filling the air. It was remarkable to witness the passion of these students, teachers and others alike, standing up and speaking out against sexual violence. But up to this point, I had felt like an outsider to the event, walking on the peripheries and hiding behind the lens of my camera.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

student protest at Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

It wasn’t until I was forced to put my camera down that realized my true purpose of being there. Photography was not permitted at the final installment of Take Back the Night, so what is not pictured in this article is the beautiful candle light vigil that took place at the end of the walk. The steps of Wynn Commons were filled with supporters and survivors and candles and blankets were passed out to everyone. At the center of the small stage, a single microphone stood surrounded by a semi circle of flickering candles. Anyone was invited to go up and share his or her stories. The ambiance in that mini amphitheater was like nothing I had every experienced before. The stories that were shared evoked diverse emotions; unbelievable sadness for what these individuals had endured but also great inspiration because of the bravery it took to reveal their experiences.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

take back the night. Student protest at Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

As I sat there on the cold stone steps, listening to the stories, watching the delicate flame of my candle waver in the wind, I understood what a truly exceptional event this was. Not only does Take Back the Night advocate for the abolition of sexual abuse and assault, but it also provides a setting for those seeking solace and support, including myself.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

take back the night. Protest at the U of Penn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

April 13th, 2012. That was the night I had the opportunity to take back because of this wonderful and empowering event. Although I was not able to find the strength within me to share my story at the vigil, I walked away from the event knowing that I am a survivor and not a victim. For too long I have blamed myself for my rape, for putting myself in a vulnerable position and allowing such an awful experience to happen to me. But after sitting on those steps of Wynne Commons, listening to other survivors break the silence to end the violence, I realized that what happened to me was not my fault and that I am, in no way, responsible for my assault. Attending Take Back The Night was one of the best experiences of my life. I had the chance to take back a night I never wanted to happen and replace it with the amazing memories I made at this peaceful protest.

Editor’s Note: The author elects to remain anonymous.

 

Nina Zhu: Looking Forward

The Singh Center of Nanotechnology, Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Nina Zhu

When I first began attending courses designated for my degree, listening to professors in windowless, dark buildings, my understanding of engineering did not expand beyond general math and science equations. Throughout my four years at the University of Pennsylvania, I have witnessed the construction and opening of a state-of-the-art building with a contemporary design on campus. At the same time, my outlook on the potential impact of engineering has also become brighter and more innovative.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Quattrone nanofabrication facility

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

The Singh Center of Nanotechnology is the newest building on the engineering side of campus, with extensive laboratory spaces as well as large conference rooms and ample forum space. The modern architecture of the building and its high ceilings allow for natural light to reflect onto the people and statues inside the building. The orange colored theme of the rooms in the building also brings brilliance to a building where researchers spend much of their time working with tiny nanoparticles. Especially under the sunlight, the orange walls brighten up the hallways for all who are inside.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

modern science lab Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Similarly, I have felt that as I have taken on more bioengineering related courses, my understanding of what my skills can create has grown. Beyond just mundane problem solving, I am developing skills that in the future can be applied towards building devices and pioneering solutions to address a variety of technical and medical problems. I feel that my understanding of engineering has matured into a more modern and complex realm, alongside the erection of such a grand and open building design. There is a bright potential for what engineering and hopefully my degree can contribute to improving society.

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Quattrone nanofabrication facility

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The construction of the building reflects the school’s confidence that nanotechnology will play a meaningful role in the future in science. I hope that with my degree, I too have the confidence to make important contributions to the scientific field.

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night shot nanotechnology science building  Upenn

cuban house painted in pink with rooster out front on the lawn

Photography and Text by Nina Zhu, Copyright 2015

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About The Author: Nina Zhu is a senior bioengineering major at the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.

Nina Zhu: Future Fears

portrait of asian college student at the University of Pennsylvania

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Posted on March 12, 2015 by Nina Zhu

For some, the idea of the unknown and the endless possibilities in the future is exhilarating. For others, the future only indicates more chances to make mistakes. Amy’s unclear future is frustrating to her. She doesn’t know what final career path her life will take. She’s spent hours working on classes in the engineering building to create medical devices and solve complex math derivatives, never quite sure if any of it will pay off in the end. But with the constant talk of ten-year college reunions as we near graduation, Amy can’t avoid her discomfort with her unclear future any longer.

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At times, it feels as though the fate of her future is in everybody else’s hands but hers. Recruiters will determine if she’s qualified for a job, school administration will determine if she’ll be successful in graduate school. She can only put her best foot forward, but she will never get the honest opinions or get into the minds of those directly influencing her future. She will never know what they truly want from her.

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Portrait of asian college student at Upenn

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The anxiety of being completely unclear as to what her life will look like after she obtains her master’s degree used to chew away at her. Amy knows that she wants to become a professor after her schooling but is also cognizant about the intense competition required to be successful in such a career. She truly doesn’t know if she will reach her goal after all is said and done.

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Yet, as she’s watched her peers take on their first jobs, she’s found more peace with her uncertain future. She understands that she can only control so much. So, instead of focusing her energy obsessing over that which she cannot control, she’s chosen to focus on the positive aspects in her life. She has supportive friends and family and she’s gained an immense amount of knowledge these past four years. Amy is surrounded by love and laughter and for now, those are the only things she truly has control over.

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asian student blowing a kiss Upenn

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Photography and Text by Nina Zhu, Copyright 2015

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About The Author: Nina Zhu is a senior bioengineering major at the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2015.