While many students aren’t physically on campus during the month of June, the University of Miami’s LGBTQ Student Center; in partnership with Student Government; Miami Alumni Association Office of Lifelong Engagement; and Pridelines, a local LGBTQ community center; hosted a virtual celebration of the nationally recognized month.
At the University, Pride Month is dedicated to honoring the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City; celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) students; and raising awareness for LGBTQIA+ equality.
Charis Pitter, Student Government’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, welcomed the attendees and reiterated the University’s commitment to equality for all. “Even though it’s the last day of June, we are committed to celebrating the community beyond Pride Month,” said Pitter, a senior studying political science and public administration.
Gisela Vega, director of the LGBTQ Student Center, and Vanessa Kania, assistant director of the center, chaired the event and welcomed various partners from across the university, including Carol Shipman, engagement officer in the Office of Lifelong Engagement, who led the trivia game.
Vega said that she and her team look forward to celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community year-round. “Our events are open to members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike,” Vega pointed out.
The event engaged faculty and staff members and students in activities including a trivia game; by presenting a video that featured cocktail recipes by Cocktail Uncultured, an alumni-owned company; and by prompting a call to action from Shaffer Zaret, director of development at Pridelines.
Visit the LGBTQ Student Center website or follow them on Instagram @umlgbtq to learn more about the group and future events.
