Dates/Times: November 5, 12 & 19, & December 3 (6:00 pm – 8:30 pm EST)
Location: Online
Instructor: Michael Roberson
Registration Deadline: October 22, 2024

Register Now

Using community organizing and collective art practice as a central methodology, students will explore LGBT organizing and the ability to use the public sphere as sites of resistance. Participants will dialogue with Freedom Movements, such as Black lives matter, House lives Matters National Leadership initiative, Vogue’ology and the Ballroom Scene of New York. This will include historical and archival research, with a specific framework at the intersection of both public health and theology. Note: This course is an “online-by-design” course which includes both live class sessions and required assignments/activities outside of class.

Michael Roberson

Michael Roberson is a public health practitioner, advocate, activist, artist, curator, and leader within the LGBTQ community. He is the co-creator of the nation’s only Black Gay Research group and National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition, as well as an Adjunct Professor at The New School University/Lang College NYC, and Union Theological Seminary NYC. He is an international art and politics consultant and a member of the international sound art collective entitled “Ultra-red.” Michael scholar in residence for the Center for Race, Religion, and Economic Democracy, as well as recent TED Media Resident, where he performed a global TED talk about the underground Black/Latinx House/ball ballroom community, entitled “The enduring legacy of ballroom.” For Black History Month 2021, Michael co-authored an article in Time Magazine titled “Why Voguing and the Ballroom Scene Matter Now More than Ever.” Michael also serves as a cultural consultant for the Pose FX television show. Additionally, he is a public health advisor and community engagement specialist for the NYC COVID-19 contract tracing initiative.