For MU students, April is an opportunity not only to celebrate, but to educate themselves on the issues facing some of their fellow students.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Resource Center is kicking off Pride Month this April with events ranging from HIV testing to safe space training to discussions on the legal issues facing same-sex couples.
Senior Allison Braun has participated in Pride Month for three years.
“I always try to make sure I participate,” she said. “I’m a senior, and I’m graduating, so I’ve watched it progress through the years.”
Braun said she thinks having a Pride Month on campus helps to bring the entire campus together.
“There’s a lot more to do (than previous years), so there’s tons of activities for everybody involved,” she said. “It’s really good because with Pride Month, we’re really trying to include every single person on campus, so definitely all the events are geared toward including everybody.”
Pride Month brings events meant to educate students on LGBTQ issues. This month the Resource Center will be hosting educational events as well as social events, according to its website.
April will have multiple safe space training opportunities as well as days to be confidentially tested for HIV.
The Safe Space for Medical Communities event on Wednesday focused on educating attendees how medical providers can be better allies to the LGBTQ community.
Junior Emily Andsager said she was most interested in the medical event.
“It is a topic that is very important to me,” she said in an email. “I am passionate about making health care more inclusive of the LGBTQ community.”
Another prominent event will be toward the end of April, when keynote speaker Kate Bornstein will host a talk and a workshop. Bornstein is a performer, gender revolutionary and anti-suicide activist, according to the LGBTQ Center.
Braun said she’s most looking forward to attending Bornstein’s events.
“She does a lot on how gender binaries, kind of, they shouldn’t really matter,” she said. “She kind of tells her story, (and) utilizes her experiences.”
On the second day of Bornstein’s visit, she will be discussing “being true with ourselves and with those around us.”
Pride Month will close with Lavender Graduation, an event recognizing and celebrating LGBTQ and ally graduates.
Andsager said she hopes the events will help students better understand the LGBTQ community.
“Pride Month is important because it gives visibility to the LGBTQ community,” she said. “It also gives LGBTQ individuals an opportunity to celebrate their identities, which is hardly done.”