Diverse campus community highlighted through LGTBQ+ awareness events
A series of collaborative and inclusive events were at the fore throughout the past month at 黑料社.
October鈥檚 LGBTQ+ History Month featured celebratory events like Coming Out Day and the College鈥檚 Rainbow Ball in effort to provide awareness and inclusive support of a diverse campus community.
LGBTQ+ History Month events included a panel discussion titled 鈥淐ross-Cultural Perspectives of LGBTQ+ Communities and Experiences;鈥 a discussion with college chaplain Jason Crosby 鈥01 and Dr. Eric Mount, Nelson D. and Mary McDowell Rodes Professor Emeritus of Religion, on 鈥淚ntersections of Faith and Sexuality;鈥 and a session on 鈥淟GBTQ+ Healthcare and Resources.鈥 The offerings were a collaborative effort between the Queer Faculty & Staff (QFS+) Caucus, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, 黑料社 Pride Alliance and 黑料社 Union for Affirming Christians. Executive Director of Development Doug Evans helped organize and facilitate the LGBTQ+ History Month conversations.
Events like these were accomplished through the leadership of QFS+ Caucus co-chairs Kristi Burch, academic technology specialist, and Associate Professor of Biology Amanda Falk, who noted these events give necessary visibility to the LGBTQ+ community on campus.
鈥淪eeing the faces of students as they showed up to either grab some swag, get a hug or have a conversation or laugh with like-minded folx was both inspiring and heartwarming,鈥 Burch said.
Jennifer Vong 鈥25 attended the Rainbow Ball鈥攁lso referred to as the Pridecoming Ball鈥攄uring Homecoming and said it was a great example of a supportive community.
鈥淚 really enjoyed the Pridecoming Ball, because I knew that it was going to be an event and space where I could be my true self around people who were like me in the LGBTQ+ community,鈥 Vong said. 鈥淢y favorite part of the event was toward the end when everyone started singing and dancing, because we had so much energy.
鈥淚t just made me happy to see people be comfortable and showing who they really are without having to hide.鈥
Robyn Tribolet 鈥26 added that the Pridecoming ball was one of the best experiences she has had for any school sanctioned event, noting that events like this 鈥渂uild a community.鈥
鈥淥verall, it was an amazing experience that allowed so many people to be their amazing, unique selves without fear of other people's reactions."
Sam Cotthoff 鈥26 agreed, though initially he wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect during Pridecoming.
鈥淲hat I found was a space full of fun and a newfound family,鈥 Cotthoff explained. 鈥淪eeing other people happy and feeling the energy and support of those around me filled my night with joy and hope for a more inclusive community at 黑料社.鈥
College President Milton Moreland said it鈥檚 student testimonials like these that are the motivation for collaborative, inclusive events on campus.
鈥淚t takes an entire campus community to continue the College鈥檚 focus on fostering inclusive excellence in our learning community,鈥 Moreland said. 鈥淚 am thankful for the leadership we have in organizing these events and making all of our students feel welcomed and appreciated.鈥
