Brock University scales up Pride Week celebrations
With a full slate of activities, Brock’s upcoming Pride Week will require more than seven days to celebrate.
Taking place from Thursday, March 23 to Friday, March 31, the annual event is a time for the University’s two-spirit, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (2SLGBTQ+) communities to learn and celebrate with the entire Brock community.
While the University also celebrates Pride Month in June, the March events provide a chance to be together while many students are still on campus before the end of Winter Term, with events organized by Brock’s Student Justice Centre, the Office of Human Rights and Equity, the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization, the Sexual Violence Prevention Committee, the 2SLGBTQ+ Working Group, the Employment Equity Working Group, Brock Pride Club, Brock University Students’ Union and the Niagara Transgender Action Coalition.
The week will begin with a virtual workshop Thursday, March 23 about suicide prevention hosted by therapist and community organizer Carly Boyce.
Additional events include a 2SLGBTQ+ focus group Wednesday, March 29, the annual Pride Social and Karaoke Night Thursday, March 30 and the celebration of Trans Day of Visibility on Friday, March 31.
Pride Week Chair Rabia Choudhary, Brock’s Student Justice Education Co-ordinator, said the week is a reflection of the University’s commitment to hosting a culture of inclusivity.
“We recognize the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” she said. “We strongly encourage everyone, including allies and other members of the Brock community, to attend Pride Week events as a celebration of diversity and a show of support for those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. These events provide a welcoming space for individuals to feel represented and validated in their identities. Our commitment to supporting pride is reflected in our ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive community where all individuals are respected and valued for who they are.”
The week is also a time of personal significance for Choudhary.
“As a queer, Pakistani woman, Pride Week at Brock holds a special place in my heart,” she said. “It is an important opportunity for me to celebrate my identity and connect with other members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community on campus. For me, Pride Week is a chance to promote visibility and raise awareness about the diverse experiences of queer and trans students, and to foster a sense of community and belonging for all individuals.”