Rainbow Lifelong Learning Institute Boston
Upcoming Courses
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Adult Education and Lifelong Learning for Boston's LGBT Seniors and Friends!
All Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender seniors and friends are welcome to register for Rainbow Lifelong Learning Institute Boston courses!
Our daytime courses take place on Tuesdays on the first floor of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, located at 630 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington, MA. Our classroom is wheelchair accessible. Please use the Mass Ave entrance to the church to attend both courses and Brown Bag talks.
The church is located on the 77, 79 and 350 MBTA bus lines. Directions and information on parking are available at the First Parish newcomers' page at http://firstparish.info/Newcomers/location.html
Please see our registration page for more information on signing up for a Rainbow LLI Boston course today!
Brown Bag Speakers Series
Most Tuesdays, during the lunch period between our morning and afternoon courses for LGBT seniors and friends, Rainbow LLI Boston hosts a Brown Bag Speaker for a one hour talk. Speaker's presentations take place from 12:15pm to 1:15pm at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington, MA.
Brown Bag presentations are free and open to the public. Please see our speakers series page for a list of the Spring 2019 Brown Bag Speakers Series line-up.
Please use the Mass Ave entrance to the church to attend Brown Bag talks.
Course Descriptions
Morning Class - Session One
Immigration into and Migration within the US; Then and Now
Today news stories on immigration into the US are ubiquitous: children separated from their families; “illegals” taking our jobs; Trump’s “wall;” the fate of “Dreamers;” acrimonious debate in Congress over how to “fix” immigration policy; and tweets from the President on the criminal dangers posed by immigrants. Many of us have a sense that this is not the first time immigration has stirred up emotions in our country, but what do we really know about these past experiences?
How can we use knowledge of them to better understand what is happening today?
Afternoon Class - Session One
The Many Meanings of Justice
“Justice” is one of those words that, like “love,” has many meanings. In today’s heated political climate, many people feel like their understandings of justice are being trampled on. Often, it seems, people can’t even imagine what justice looks like from other points of view.
This course will explore the many meanings of justice. We will start with the meanings that participants already have.
Then we will explore different meanings of justice in social arrangements, in response to harm done by individuals, and in global relations.
The final class will look to the future – how might the world have more justice?
All you need to bring is an open mind and a desire to learn.
Morning Class - Session Two
From Lesbian-Feminism to the Alphabet Generation: Liberation and its Discontents
Bursting upon the American scene in the late 1960s were lesbians demanding that the Women’s Liberation Movement recognize lesbianism as a valid choice of relationships and sexuality. Transgender politics and expanding identities would come later. Participants will learn about the lesbian feminist movement that radicalized feminist protest, the emergence of transgender politics, and the rise of new identities (LGBTQQINS, sometimes called the “alphabet generation”). There will be additional focus on the ongoing conflict between an older generation of lesbian feminists and transgender activists—and the possibility (or impossibility) of reconciliation.
The format will include presentation, discussion, and a documentary film.
Enrollment limited to 15.
Afternoon Class - Session Two
TED Talks: How Ideas Can Stimulate Curiosity and Discussion
This class will involve a 5-week series of a variety of stimulating TED Talks, including but not limited to topics as diverse as interpersonal relationships, race, politics, and immigration/migration. Several TED Talks will be viewed by the class each week, directly followed by a facilitator-led discussion on the Talk. Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences, perspectives and ideas as they relate to each TED Talk, with the goal of encouraging discussion between class members in an open and honest format.
