Lakeland University celebrates Pride Week October 25 through October 29. Dedicated to honoring the LGBTQ+ community, Pride Week features many activities designed to educate students about the historical and current struggles the LGBTQ+ community face and celebrate their perseverance against discrimination.

The idea for Pride Week first came from our very own Tali Coleman. Now an alumnus, Tali first proposed Pride Week to the university a couple of years ago. Tali felt there was a lack of representation and wanted LGBTQ+ students to be honored and celebrated. Although the idea was new, Lakeland wanted to ensure students felt supported and approved Pride Week. He appreciated the efforts from the administration, faculty, and staff for their commitment to making Pride Week an educational, supportive, and eye-opening experience for all.

Although the Ulrich center plays a big role in ensuring Pride Week happens as a collaborative effort across each department, there is no person or department in charge of organizing Pride Week. “We want to make sure our LGBTQ+ students are supported and heard, and that takes more than one department,” said LeShay Guy. Lakeland University is committed to supporting their students and making sure they feel heard and valued on campus. According to LeShay, celebrating Pride Week honors inclusion and belonging. She added that celebrating Pride Week encourages the campus community to get involved in ways that help them develop cultural competency.

Join the university’s celebration all week long by attending the activities below:

• Advancement-Diversity Week—throughout the entire week in the Campus Center
• Campus Life-Be Proud Magnets—given throughout the entire week in the Campus Center
• Campus Life-LGBTQ+ Trivia/Kahoot in the Laurer Center—date is to be determined
• Ulrich Center-Queer at the Intersections—10/27 at 11 am and throughout the rest of the week
• Ulrich Center-Pride Walk—10/29 at 4 pm starting at the Center for Community Equity and Belonging (3rd floor of Old Main)
• Ulrich Center-Pride Week Scavenger Hunt—Students and employees can document their participation to receive a pride shirt
• Counseling Services: Fill the Rainbow—10/28 from 11 am-1 pm in the Campus Center
• Residence Life: “Boy Erased”—10/26 at 7 pm in the Event Space
• Chaplain-Pride Week Service—After the walk, a Celebration Service will be held in the Ley Chapel
• Career Readiness—Recording of the Employer Playbook Series

Lakeland also has a student group called, Alphabet Soup. This group is a coalition of students who identify as LGBTQ+ and students who are allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Alphabet Soup features a vast staff and faculty support system, as well.  The Ulrich Center also offers Safe in the Lake training to the entire campus community. Individuals who complete this training receive Safe Zone stickers to identify themselves as allies to the LGBTQ+ community and their skills in challenging anti-LGTBQ+ language and harassment. Along with Pride Week, there are just some of the other ways Lakeland University supports the LGBTQ+ community on campus.