University News

WIU to Host Pride Month Celebration Throughout April

March 30, 2023

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MACOMB, IL -- The Western Illinois University LGBT*QA Resource Center will host a Pride Month Celebration throughout the month of April, with a wide variety of events.

In 2016, President Barack Obama declared the month of June as National LGBT Pride Month. However, due to the national observance falling between academic sessions for the majority of students at WIU, the LGBT*QA Resource Center observes the identity month in April to celebrate and raise awareness of the 2SLGBT*QIA+ community at WIU.

The LGBT*QA Resource Center was established in 2011, and, in prior years, the center sponsored only a week of programming in April to raise awareness. Now we have expanded the celebration to the entire month of April the center is excited to share this with the WIU community. Recently, the Queer community has had a few issues with discriminatory legislation, such as drag show bans and transgender-targeted bills that seek to limit access to gender-affirming care for adolescents under the age of 18.

"I am upset by the attempts of many politicians to limit the rights of the Queer community," said Amariah (Amie) Seely, one of the graduate assistants in the LGBT*QA Resource Center. "But we, as a prime resource for members of the Queer community, will celebrate in spite of the discrimination. We are asking members of the Queer community to thrive, even in the face of discrimination, as a form of resistance and protest."

According to Olin Ortiz, MCC lead ambassador and LGBT*QA Resource Center representative, "Just as in the years prior to us, we are striving to continue the tradition of celebrating those of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We will accomplish this by putting on programs for students, faculty and staff to bring further inclusivity."

Janae' Patterson, LGBT*QA Resource Center graduate assistant added that these events are an attempt to also teach those who may not be aware of the different identities, their struggles, and how to be a respectful ally to them.

"While also elevating the intersecting identities of our Black, Indigenous, and other people of color that identify as queer or transgender, who are the most vulnerable to violence and discrimination," said Patterson.

The following programs will be held in celebration of Pride Month at WIU:

Equality Ball: Spring Royal | Friday, March 31, 7 – 9 p.m., Multicultural Center: The LGBT*QA Resource Center's Equality Ball is an opportunity for students to experience a prom/dance that they might not have been able to in high school, due to non-inclusive school policies that exclude Queer and Trans* students. As part of this program, there are no restrictions or judgments on who participates or what they wear. The theme for the 2023 Equality Ball will be a Spring Royal. There will be food available for participants during the event, as well as music, dancing and activities.

What's the T*?: Divine or Devious? | Tuesday, April 4, 2:30 – 4 p.m., LGBT*QA Resource Center: What's The T*? Is an event that centers around discussions based of a number of subjects that are unique to the trans* experience, with snacks and tea provided. The discussion will be about the different views from different cultures about the 2SLGBT*QIA+ community identities and expressions.

GYT- Get Yourself Tested | Thursday, April 6, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Beu Health Center: The LGBT*QA Resource Center will be co-sponsoring Get Yourself Tested (GYT) with The Student Development and Success Center, McDonough County Health Department, Beu Health Center and The Substance Abuse and Prevention Education Fund. This event is to help students get educated about different sexually transmitted infections, while testing is free for the first 120 students who sign up. Participants should pre-register through the Beu Portal during the tabling times. Walk-ins will be accepted the day of the event, if there are still open slots. The last day of tabling will be from noon-2 p.m. Monday, April 3, in the Union Concourse.

Queer History at Western: Past, Present, and Future | Monday, April 10, 5 – 7 p.m., Multicultural Center Boardroom: The LGBT*QA Resource center will co-sponsor this event with Merrill Cole, Craig Tollini and Susan Meiers. They will be doing a presentation on the LGBT*QA history at Western. They will be using a presentation and past narrative history given by the late WIU Emeritus Professor Gil Belles. Refreshments will be provided.

Chingonx Afrocentric Queers Interest Meeting | Tuesday, April 11, 4 - 5:30 p.m., Women's Center Lounge: Chingonx Afrocentric Queers is a rebranded student organization that was formed out of the identified need for a space for Queer and Trans* individuals of color to celebrate both of their identities. It is an organization that will promote diversity in the queer community and provide fellowship between Queer and Trans* Black, LatinX, and other individuals of color. It began as an initiative in Fall 2020, and is advised by both the LGBT*QA Resource Center, the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center and Casa Latina Cultural Center. Anyone interested in joining the organization can fill out the interest form online at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIedR5D9y_9ldAAQ785A-z4kkM9dUPTFJXgBbXz8f7Z6FSOw/viewform. Refreshments will be provided.

Professional Drag Show/BINGO | Friday, April 14, 7 – 9 p.m., University Union Heritage Room: In collaboration with Unity we will host the annual Professional Drag Show. Drag is not just a performance, it is a form of protest, expression, activism, and a way that the 2SLGBT*QIA+ community can help others. It has been a large part of the Queer community for many years During Pride Month, we want to honor the 2SLGBT*QIA+ community by bringing in professional Drag performers and inviting allies to come explore what Drag is, and, more importantly, the meaning behind it. Bingo was an addition to the Drag Show that students have loved previously. Sharon Sharealike, our performer from last year, will be returning with five other performers to help celebrate Pride Month.

Ally Brunch | Sunday, April 16, noon – 3 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room: In collaboration with the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center a brunch to showcase individuals who are Allies for the 2SLGBT*QIA+ community will be held. This is a formal gathering of people with the hope of educating, forming networks and creating friendships. This event is welcome to all WIU students, faculty and community members.

Gaymers Night | Monday, April 17, 4 – 6 p.m., Digital Rec Center: Gaymer Night is an opportunity for students to come together to play games, socialize and have snacks. In past years, Unity and the LGBT*QA Resource Center have hosted Gaymer Tournaments and DnD campaign sessions. This year the event will be hosted in the University's new Digital Rec Center, with different gaming systems and board games. The event will include snacks and music while we play games and enjoy one another's company. Participants should feel free to bring their own games to play as well. Participants should also complete the Digital Rec agreement form, located on STARS.

NOH8 Photoshoot | Tuesday, April 18, noon – 3 p.m., Tillman Hall, room 207: NOH8 is a national organization dedicated to ending the silencing of 2SLGBT*QIA+ voices. Stop by the Photography and Design Production Office, on the second floor of Tillman Hall, to have a photo taken by a Uuniversity photographer to show support and learn more about the campaign. We will be handing out "No H8" temporary tattoos for individuals to take photos with. Please wear a white t-shirt.

Rainbow Connection | Wednesday, April 19, 5 – 7 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room: In collaboration with Casa Latina Cultural Center, the event will illuminate monumental figures in history who have dispelled the putrid segregational fallacies within our society by invoking their pride for their individuality and wholeheartedly expressing the need to judge someone based on the way they comport themselves, and not by their personal affiliations. We hope to replicate the prideful gallantry demonstrated by those who came before by doing a small walk across campus as a unified entity. Fully expressing that individuality, we make one color, but together we make a rainbow that can illuminate and bridge the gap of disunity within our society. Following the rally we will have a social hour with refreshments.

Earth Day Community Service | Sunday, April 23, noon – 2 p.m., Multicultural Center: In collaboration with Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. flowers will be planted outside the Multicultural Center in honor of Earth Day. Attendees should wear clothes they don't mind getting dirty. Refreshments will be provided.

(Bi)ce Cream Social and Pan Pizza Palooza | Tuesday, April 25, noon-2 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room: Ice cream, pizza, and conversation. The event is structured to educate participants about the discourse between bisexuality and pansexuality within the 2SLGBT*QIA+ community while enjoying some delicious treats. Join us for an educational discussion with the LGBT*QA Resource Center graduate assistants.

Prideful Paint and Sip | Wednesday, April 26, 2 – 5 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room: In collaboration with the WIU Women's Center and the LGBT*QA Resource Center, this event will feature discussions around the usage of pronouns, various 2SLGBT*QIA+ identities, and painting. Painting materials and snacks will be provided.

Queer Trivia | Thursday, April 27, 6 – 8:30 p.m., Multicultural Center Multipurpose Room: In collaboration with Unity, a night with fun team and individual trivia-based games on everything 2SLGBT*QIA+ related is planned. Topics include flags, history, pop culture,and current events with prizes to the winning teams and individuals.

For more information, contact the LGBT*QA Resource Center at lgbtqa@wiu.edu or by calling (309) 298-4004.


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