Pitt Pride (as posted in the Staff Council newsletter)
by: Bee Schindler, EdD, MSW
Fifty-four years ago, something important happened that changed the way people think about LGBTQIA+ rights. It started at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The police used to arrest LGBTQIA+ people there just for being themselves. One day, the community fought back. They had enough of the discrimination and unfair treatment.
These protests, known as the Stonewall Riots, lasted for several days. People like Marsha P. Johnson stood up against the arrests and fought for equality. Marsha became a leader and worked hard to bring attention to the issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. In the many years after the riots, she helped create organizations and policies that support LGBTQIA+ rights.
Today, we celebrate this movement every June during Pride Month. Pride is not just about parades and celebrations. It's about recognizing the power and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride is about family, community, accepting ourselves, being visible, and embracing who we are. It reminds us that everyone has the right to be themselves and be treated with respect.
At the University of Pittsburgh and beyond, being able to express our true selves is important. It allows us to be innovative, relevant, and sustainable. When we can be our authentic selves, it brings diversity to our workspaces, enables us to ask important questions, speak up, and make positive changes.
Pride encourages us to break free from the stereotypes and biases that limit us. It reminds us that our identities are complex and should be celebrated. Sometimes society tries to make us fit into one narrow box, but Pride encourages us to be who we are meant to be, not just survive but thrive.
Pride is for everyone, not just LGBTQIA+ individuals. Stretch yourself to come together, support one another, and work towards a world where everyone is treated equally. How can you do this in your space and place of work? While we should practice LGBTQIA+ inclusion throughout the year, June offers many opportunities at Pitt and in the region to get involved and show support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pride Month Events:
6/20 Pride on the Patio - resource fair including both Pitt and broader community vendors | Details
6/26 - Drag Bingo with Alora Chateaux - registration forthcoming but you can indicate interest to pqp@pitt.edu | Details
6/18 and 6/28 - SETpoint empowerment-based workshops | Details
Community Events: https://qburgh.com/
Ongoing: LGBTQIA+ Supplier Spotlight Request - Jennifer Barnes, jcb182@pit.edu, is looking for supplier suggestions to highlight a LGBTQ+-owned business
Additional Resources:
Pitt OEDI: https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/events/monthly-celebrations/lgbtqia-pride...
Pitt staff and faculty LGBTQIA+ groups: https://www.lgbtq.pitt.edu/engagement/faculty-and-staff-organizations
Pitt LGBTQIA+ Webpage: https://www.lgbtq.pitt.edu/
More on the Human Rights Campaign's focus on Pride: https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/celebrate-pride-with-us
PBS Stonewall Uprising: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/stonewall/#part01