Office of LGBTQ* Resources to Host Pride Week April 1-6
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 29, 2019) — Nearly 50 years ago today, the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, was raided. Patrons and employees of the bar were forcefully removed from the premises by law enforcement and many were wrongfully arrested and taken to jail. Enraged by the blatant discrimination from police officials, patrons and neighborhood residents fought back, leading to six days of violent protests.
Today, this historic moment is referred to as the Stonewall Riots. The series of events sparked outrage across the country and served as a catalyst for a worldwide movement.
To commemorate the Stonewall Riots, one year later, the Pride Parade was born. Although nationally recognized in June, to provide students, faculty and staff with an opportunity to honor Pride on campus, the Office of LGBTQ* Resources has scheduled a campuswide Pride Week, April 1-6.
"In the summer due to geography or situation, students may be unable to attend Pride festivities, but hosting a Pride during the academic year allows individuals to celebrate with the community they’ve made at the university and connect students to one another and resources," said Rayne Parker, assistant director of the Office of LGBTQ* Resources.
During this week, the Office LGBTQ* Resources emphasizes the diverse experiences of LGBTQ* students, faculty and staff at UK through a series of events and programs. The entire campus community is encouraged to participate.
"Pride Week is one of the Office LGBTQ* Resources’ annual weeklong events full of education and community building-driven events to create and continue conversations about diversity, inclusion and belonging for LGBTQ* individuals and allies," Parker said.
The schedule of events and their sponsors includes:
Monday, April 1
Multisectoral Approach to Substance Use Disorder Panel, noon, E. Britt Brockman M.D. Senate Chamber, Gatton Student Center. Food provided. | College of Public Health
Pride Festival, 3-5 p.m., Barker Plaza, Gatton Student Center. Food provided. | Student Activities Board
PrideCats Social and Forum, 6 p.m., Boone Center Library. Food provided. | PrideCats Alumni Group
Au Naturale: Sexuality, Religion and Nature, 7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church. Transportation provided. | First Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, April 2
Free Chlamydia Testing Clinic, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 331 Gatton Student Center | UHS, College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health
Queering Prevention: Reducing Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault in the LGBTQ* Community, noon, Dinkle-Mas Suite, Gatton Student Center. Food provided. | Center for Research on Violence Against Women
Let’s Get Physical: Sexual Health Trivia, 6 p.m., Dinkle-Mas Suite. Food provided. | WHY, Transform Health, UHS and Sexperts
Wednesday, April 3
Petty Praxis: Creating Coalitions Through Difference, noon, Dinkle-Mas Suite. Food provided. | BISS
Free HIV Testing Clinic, noon-3 p.m., PAWS Center, UHS Building. | UHS
Why Can’t We Be Friends?: Building Solidarity Across Groups and Issues, 6 p.m., Kincaid Auditorium, Gatton College of Business and Economics. | BISS
Thursday, April 4
So You Want to Be An Ally?, noon, VIP Center, Frazee Hall. Food provided. | VIP Center and Counseling Center
"Big Eden," 6 p.m., Worsham Cinema. | Student Center Cinema Series
Friday, April 5
Beginnings: A Queer Narrative Podcast, noon, Cat’s Den, Gatton Student Center. Food provided. | WRFL and Audre Lorde Social Justice LLP
Pose: A Discussion on Drag Ball Culture, 3 p.m., Dinkle-Mas Suite. | BISS
Gayla: Drag Show, 7 p.m., Cat’s Den. | GSA
Saturday, April 6
PrideCats Board Meeting, 10 a.m., Dinkle-Mas Suite. | PrideCats Alumni Group
Rainbow Graduation Reception, noon, Dinkle-Mas Suite. Food provided. | PrideCats Alumni Group
Rainbow Graduation, 1 p.m., E. Britt Brockman M.D. Senate Chamber. | Alumni Association and PrideCats Alumni Group
PrideCats Service Event, 5 p.m., Hope Center. | PrideCats Alumni Group