Penn State student organizations and units at campuses across the Commonwealth will be holding events in honor of Campus Pride Month. Here’s a look at some of the events taking place at the University’s campuses during the month of April.
This list will be updated as events are added throughout the month; the University community is invited to send diversity and inclusion events for consideration to DiversityEvents@psu.edu.
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY PARK
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. More information on these events can be found on the LGBTQA Student Resource Center website.
April 1 to 5 — The Long Road to LGBTQ+ Equality in Pennsylvania Exhibit, hosted in collaboration with University Libraries, chronicles the efforts that activities have undertaken in Pennsylvania to achieve full equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Leisure Reading Room, first floor Pattee Library.
April 2 — HUB Take Over — Various organizations representing the LGBTQ+ community will take over the first floor of the HUB-Robeson Center, providing information for students, and including a DJ, Drag Queens and Drag Bingo taking place at noon. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., first floor, HUB.
April 2 — Join Campus Recreation and their Tennis Pros and instructors for Play with Pride, a free tennis clinic and social gathering. 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Tennis Center.
April 3 — The Safer People Safer Places Workshop will provide 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 better allies 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. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Room 134 HUB.
April 5 — Pride March and Rally — 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. Noon to 1 p.m., beginning at the Boucke Building steps.
April 5 and 12 — Climb with Pride: Campus Recreation will be offering free climbing for all with no preregistration required. 8 to 11 p.m., located at the indoor climbing wall in the Intramural (IM) Building.
April 6 — Penn State Law alumnus Zachary R. Brecheisen, member of the national LGBT Bar Association, will be keynote speaker at the law school's Diversity Banquet. The Penn State Law Student Bar Association established the event to honor members of the legal community who have contributed to the development of the legal profession. All members of the Penn State and State College communities are welcome and encouraged to attend; please register online. 6-9 p.m., Days Inn, State College.
April 9 and 10 — The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State will present the Troika Entertainment production of “Kinky Boots,” the smash-hit musical that brings together the talents of four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper, for two performances. 7:30 p.m., April 9 and 10, Eisenhower Auditorium.
April 9 and 11 — Join Campus Recreation in a Pride Rides cycling class offered in the IM building. Pre-registration is recommended. Various times available.
April 10 — PRIDE Month Keynote Speaker Kalen Allen, from Kansas City, 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, Allen 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., Freeman Auditorium, HUB.
April 11 — The Penn State Coalition of LGBTQA Graduate Students will host a letter-writing night, as they provide space for writing local, state and national officials to advocate for LGBTQA rights. Resources for writing letters to representatives will be provided as well as assistance in writing a persuasive argument. Light refreshments will be provided. Open to all students and free to attend. 6-8 p.m., Room 106 HUB.
April 12 — Lavender Graduation 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. 6-9 p.m., Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center.
April 12 — 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.
April 13 — Blue and White Weekend Alumni Tailgate: Alumni will have the opportunity to reconnect at the Penn State Blue and White football game for a tailgate at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park – Suite 520. Food and drinks will be provided. 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Medlar Field.
April 16 — A Student Ally Workshop will help students learn about the LGBTQ+ population and understand the issues facing LGBTQ+ students, and increase awareness of the various LGBTQ+ resources at Penn State and in the community. Attendees can register at bit.ly/psually. 5:50-7:30 p.m., Room 325 HUB.
April 18 — Join Penn State Law for a lecture by and discussion with the authors of "We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation." 6:30 p.m., Lewis Katz Auditorium, Lewis Katz Building.
April 18 — Students for Cultivating Change is hosting representatives from Corteva Agriscience to present on the company's opportunities and inclusion efforts. 6 to 7 p.m., 218 Thomas Building.
April 19 — Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) and the LGBTQ Roundtable are presenting a Student Drag Show in the HUB. 9 p.m., Heritage Hall, HUB.
April 23 — Join special guests, the LGBTQ Student Roundtable and Penn State Democrats for An Evening of Advocacy. 7 p.m., Eisenhower Auditorium.
April 23 — The Center for Global Workers' Rights and the Sustainability Institute present the latest in their film series, "Intersections: Landscapes of Labor." The film, titled "Pride," based on a true story, is an engaging comic drama about a group of British gay rights activists in 1984, who supported the work of striking coal miners and built solidarity with the National Union of Mineworkers. As a result, mineworkers began supporting gay rights in Great Britain. Free and open to the public. 7 p.m., 132 HUB.
April 24 — Rainbow 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. 4:15-5:15 p.m., IM Building.
April 26, all day — LGBTQ Out and Engaged 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 a.m. to 10 p.m.
April 27 — Campus Recreation will be hosting Trans Positive Swim Night, an inclusive swim time in McCoy Natatorium where transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary students and supporting students are welcome to participate and create a positive space for all. 6 to 8 p.m., McCoy Natatorium.
PENN STATE ABINGTON
April 9 — Adrian Shanker, the founder of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, will discuss LGBT+ health issues and advocacy with students. For more information, contact Tracy Reed at tmreed@psu.edu. 1 p.m., the Intersection, Lares Building.
April 9 — Adrian Shanker, the founder of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, will discuss LGBT+ health issues and advocacy with faculty and staff. Contact Tracy Reed at tmreed@psu.edu for more information. 1 p.m., the Intersection, Lares Building.
PENN STATE ALTOONA
April 3 — Todd Snovel, executive director of the LGBTQ Commission for Gov. Tom Wolf, will present a talk/discussion, "Civil Rights Matter," at Penn State Altoona. 6:30 p.m., MountainView Room at Port Sky.
April 6 — The Pride Alliance Student Organization will hold a Drag Show, free to students and $5 to to the public. 9 p.m., SLEP.
PENN STATE HAZLETON
April 9 — LGBT Mixer in the LOFT — This is a free event open to Penn State Hazleton students, an opportunity to learn more about the LOFT and the resources it provides. Food will be provided. 7:30 p.m., 501 West Hall.
April 10 — Ally training is open to Penn State Hazleton staff and faculty. The program is free and is meant to better equip campus staff and faculty to effectively work with students identifying as LGBT. 12:15 p.m., Room 103 of the Charles Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center.
April 17 — “LGBT and Christian? One World Record Traveler’s Journey,” presented by Mikah Meyer. 7 p.m., Room 115 of the Evelyn Graham Academic Building.
PENN STATE LEHIGH VALLEY
All month — Tabling events will be held throughout the month raising awareness about the resources we have for the LGBTQA+ community and awareness in general, and different flags that represent different populations in the LGBTQA+ community will be on display in Centre Hall.
April 2 — Drag Queens Carol Ann Carol Ann and Sharon Ann Husbands will host “Bingo with the Divas,” a fun event where students play bingo with an LGBTQ spin. 12:15-1:15 p.m., Room 135.
April 8 — The second Safer People, Safer Places training will be offered for faculty and staff; workshops presented by the Coalition of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. 12:15-1:15 p.m., Room 216.
April 17 — Speaker Joanne Carroll, a transgender woman who served in the armed forces before her transition, will present “Beyond the Binary: An Introduction to Transgender.”
PENN STATE NEW KENSINGTON
April 16 — Campus community members are invited to take part in the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, aimed to bring awareness to the prevention of sexual assault, rape and gender-based violence. Keynote speaker Marty Miller, who has more than 25 years of experience working in the domestic violence field, will address the role of men in stopping violence against women. Following the talk, local resources (The Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center and the Blackburn Center) will be introduced. The event culminates with male participants receiving their shoes and taking part in the walk around campus before returning to the Athletic Center to enjoy complimentary food. For registration and event information contact Kendra Kitko, campus counselor, at 724-334-6744 or kxk88@psu.edu. 12:05-1:20 p.m. (Common Hour), meet at Athletic Center.
PENN STATE WILKES-BARRE
April 1-4 — Visit the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Gender and Sexuality Alliance Info Table, to Make and Take T's (t-shirts) to take to the Pride Parade at University Park on Friday, April 5. Student Commons.
April 2-3 — Allies Training Student Session. Student-only event. 3:30 p.m., ARB 101
April 4 — Pride Parade Crafting: Students are invited to make some fun, creative signs to take to the Pride Parade at University Park on Friday, April 5. Noon-4 p.m., Student Commons.
April 5 — Van-Cation to Pride Parade at University Park: Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend. Dress in your best Pride Week attire! The van will leave campus at 8:17 a.m. from the ARB Main Parking Lot, and should arrive back at PSW-B by 5 p.m.
PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
April 8-12 (Pride Week) — The campus and local community can find resources and giveaways at the Pride Table in the Campus Center Lobby.
April 8 — The Penn College community will commemorate the fifth annual Pride Week celebration with a Flag-Raising Ceremony. Free and open to the public. 12:30 p.m., Hager Lifelong Education Center Loop.
April 8 (rain date: April 9) — The Penn College campus community is invited to gather together to Paint The Rock with pride. 2-4 p.m., The Rock, rear lawn of Bush Campus Center.
April 9 — Penn College students, faculty and staff are invited to celebrate Pride Week at the Pride Café, an open-mic-style event where you can share your talent, coming-out story, messages of pride, and allyship. 8 p.m., Wrapture dining unit, Klump Academic Center.
April 10 — “Wears Your Pride?” DIY T-Shirts: Penn College students are invited to express themselves through this T-shirt painting workshop. A limited number of T-shirts will be available for students. Workshop will be led by ceramics/wood sculpture instructor David Stabley. 5 p.m., Bush Campus Center, Room CC 161.
April 11 — The Penn College campus community is invited to a Drag Show, featuring Carol Ann Carol Ann, Sharon Ann, Mandy Mango and more. Come enjoy food, entertainment and dancing. This event is for adults only. More information, email pcalliance@pct.edu. 8:30 p.m., Thompson Professional Development Center, Mountain Laurel Room.