UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The LGBTQA Student Resource Center, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs, will be celebrating Pride Month throughout April with multiple events including keynote speakers, workshops, student recognitions and engagement trips. Many of the events are collaborations with student organizations and offices at Penn State.
Some of the month’s highlights include a traveling history exhibit at the University Libraries, "The Long Road to LGBTQ+ Equality in Pennsylvania"; a HUB Take Over with a variety of activities throughout the day on April 2; a Pride March and Rally to Old Main; and a keynote speaker Kalen Allen.
Below is a summary of events that will be taking place on and off-campus. More information on events can be found on the LGBTQA Student Resource Center website.
April 1 to 5, The Long Road to LGBTQ+ Equality in Pennsylvania Exhibit
Exhibit: In collaboration with University Libraries the exhibit, which will be hosted in the Leisure Reading Room on the first floor of the Pattee Library, chronicles the efforts that activities have undertaken in Pennsylvania to achieve full equality for the LGBTQ+ community.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 2, HUB Take Over
HUB Take Over: Various organizations representing the LGBTQ+ community will take over the first floor of the HUB, providing information for students including a DJ, Drag Queens and Drag Bingo taking place at noon.
7 to 8:30 p.m. April 2, Play with Pride
Play with Pride: Join Campus Recreation and their Tennis Pros and instructors for a free tennis clinic and social gathering located in the Tennis Center.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3, Safer People Safer Places Workshop
Workshop: Located in HUB 134, the workshop provides faculty, staff, and graduate students a baseline for understanding and addressing sexual and gender diversity through discussions on a variety of topics, which will help those participating become a better ally and give support to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
If you need accommodations to participate in this event, please contact the LGBTQA Student Resource Center at (814) 863-1248 or lgbtqa@psu.edu as soon as possible. Registration is required.
Noon to 1 p.m. April 5, PRIDE March and Rally
March: The State College and Penn State community will join forces in celebrating the pride of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. The march will begin on the steps of Boucke building, continuing down Pollack, past Old Main and then wrap around to the steps of Old Main.
8 to 11 p.m. April 5 and 12, Climb with Pride
Climb: Campus Recreation will be offering free climbing for all with no preregistration required located at the indoor climbing wall in the IM building.
Various times available April 9 and 11, Pride Rides
Pride Rides: Join Campus Recreation in a cycling class offered in the IM building. Pre-registration is recommended.
6 p.m. April 10, Kalen Allen - PRIDE Month Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker: Kalen Allen from Kansas City, Kansas is known for his colorful and witty commentary on culinary concoctions on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in his series, “OMKalen”. The 22-year-old has been to New York Fashion Week, the Met Gala and the Royal Wedding. With over one million followers on Facebook alone, Kalen has found a successful path of life in being authentically him bringing his big personality and signature red wide-brimmed hat with him everywhere he goes.
6 p.m. April 11, Writing Night
Writing Night: Join members of the Coalition of LGBTQA Graduate Students in HUB 106 as they provide space for writing local, state, and national officials to advocate for LGBTQA rights.
6 to 9 p.m. April 12, Lavender Graduation
Lavender Graduation: The ceremony is an annual celebration which recognizes Penn State’s LGBTQ+ students and their achievements and contributions to the university. The ceremony includes recognition of scholarship awardees, campus awards and a time to thank significant supporters. Graduates will receive a rainbow tassel, stole and graduation certificate. The ceremony will take place in Heritage Hall located in the HUB-Robeson Building.
April 12, Day of Silence
Vow of Silence: The National Day of Silence is a day in which students across the country vow to take a form of silence, calling attention to the silencing effects of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in all establishments of education. For more information, visit the Day of Silence’s website.
12:30 to 2:30 p.m. April 13, Blue and White Weekend Alumni Tailgate
Tailgate: Alumni will have the opportunity to reconnect at the Penn State Blue and White football game in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park – Suite 520. Food and drinks will be provided.
5:50 to 7:30 p.m. April 16, Student Ally Workshop
Workshop: Located in room 325 HUB, this workshop educates students about the LGBTQ+ population, helps them understand the issues facing LGBTQ+ students, and increases awareness of the various LGBTQ+ resources at Penn State and in the community. Attendees can register at bit.ly/psually
6:30 p.m. April 18, We Are Everywhere
Lecture: Join Penn State law in Lewis Katz Auditorium for a lecture by and discussion with the authors of We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation.
6 to 7 p.m. April 18, Corteva
Presentation: Students for Cultivating Change is hosting Corteva in 218 Thomas Building to present on company opportunities and inclusion efforts.
9 p.m. April 19, Student Drag Show
Drag Show: A drag show sponsored by Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) and LGBTQ Roundtable will be held in Heritage Hall.
7 p.m. April 23, Evening of Advocacy
Discussion: Join special guests, LGBTQ Student Roundtable and Penn State Democrats in Eisenhower Auditorium for an Evening of Advocacy.
4:15 to 5:15 p.m. April 24, Rainbow Power Remix
Power Remix: Dance and shake to help Campus Recreation build a human pride flag with colored T-shirts given at the door of gym No. 3 in the IM building.
6 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 26, All Day-LGBTQ Out and Engaged Experience
Engagement Experience: Students will have the opportunity to travel to New York City and participate in the queer history tour of Greenwich Village and the queer secrets tour of the Metropolitan Museum. Registration is limited and required.
6 to 8 p.m. April 27, Trans Positive Swim Night
Positive Swim: Campus Recreation will be hosting an inclusive swim time in McCoy Natatorium where trans, gender non-conforming, nonbinary students and supporting students are welcome to participate and create a positive space for all.