Pride and joy for all
UD’s Pride Week kicked off April 7 with blue skies at a tabling event outside of Kennedy Union. As classes changed, students and faculty alike stopped by the Brook Center’s table to browse a selection of pins, stickers and T-shirts promoting this year’s action-packed week.
Junior Katie Montgomery is a member of Q*mmunity Leaders, the peer education group that hosted Pride Week events, and celebrated her third Pride Week at UD.
“We’re not here in June,” she said, referring to the national celebration, “so we do it on campus in April.” This year's theme is celebrating queer joy.
During the week, LGBTQ+ students and allies were welcome to events that reinforced that message of joy.
Some of the events included a conversation with President Eric F. Spina and LGBTQ+ community members about the importance of the dignity of all people’s identities and experiences; an Ally+ workshop; and a panel session called LGBTQ+ Adulting 101, where queer Dayton community members talked about navigating life after college as a queer person. Said Montgomery,
“A lot of LGBTQ+ young people don’t have role models who are openly queer and can talk about their work experience and family life.”
Also woven into the week were entertainment activities like a bowling and board games night with Q*mmunity Leaders in the Hangar; a queer book fair and tea party; and a cozy movie night in the Adele Center where attendees watched Will and Harper, an emotional documentary about friendship and acceptance.
Montgomery said the highlight of Pride Week each year is the Lavender Ball, which celebrates students of all identities and backgrounds while honoring seniors with awards. All students are invited to come as they are off campus to enjoy music and dancing.
“People get to dress up however they feel most validates themselves,” she said. “A lot of queer people have had bad dance experiences, or felt like they couldn’t attend dances in high school. This one advocates for everyone to feel as comfortable as possible.”
Pride Week concluded Friday with Our Voices Matter, a visual display in the ArtStreet Gallery where LGBTQ+ students shared their personal stories through artwork. Visitors did arts and crafts and enjoyed a taco bar.
A week packed with pride celebrations succeeded in gathering in community and uplifting the voices of LGBTQ+ students, effectively sharing the Q*mmunity Leader’s message of queer joy with all Flyers.
“Not only does [Pride Week] raise awareness,” said Montgomery, “but it lets UD students know that they have a community here that wants to celebrate them.”