Pride Month
Every year during the month of June, the LGBT community celebrates Pride in a number of different ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognizing the influence that LGBT people have had around the world. Why was June chosen? Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place back in 1969.
As well as being a monthlong celebration, Pride is also an opportunity to peacefully protest and raise political awareness of current issues facing the community. Parades are a prominent feature of Pride Month, and there are many street parties, community events, poetry readings, public speaking events, street festivals, and educational sessions, all of which are covered by mainstream media and attract millions of participants.
What can you do to support LGBTQ+ students in our community?
- Include LGBTQ+ authors in your curriculum
- Include LGBTQ+ history in your curriculum
- Make sure you are using examples that include different gender markers, pictures, and authors
- Talk about the intersecting identities throughout curriculum
- Give space for discussions. It is okay to say, “I don’t know, let's find out together!”
- Celebrate joyful moments in LGBTQ+ history
- Include all varieties of pronouns. Add your pronouns to your email signature and Zoom name, and encourage all participants to do the same.
Ongoing Events
Save the Date
Get Involved
All Month Long
T-shirt Design Contest
HCC's LGBTQ+ Task Force is looking for t-shirt design submissions from students and the Holyoke community. Winning art will be used on a t-shirt for a fundraiser in October 2021, launching during National Coming Out Day. All proceeds from the shirt will go toward an award for LBGTQ+ incoming students. Submissions will close on June 30, 2021. The winning design will be announced on HCC's social media. Submit your design here! (The name and photo associated with your Google account will be recorded when you upload files and submit this form.)
Look Forward to SafeZone Training
The LGBTQ+ Task Force and Center for Excellence invites the campus community to SafeZone training. Led by Z and Liz Golen, this training will be offered the second Friday of each semester starting in the fall of 2021. SafeZone training is an opportunity to learn about LGBTQ+ identities, gender, and sexuality, and examine prejudice, assumptions, and privilege.
Dates:
- September 17, 2 p.m.
- February 4, 2 p.m.
Resource List
The HCC Library has launched their newest resource list! This list is filled with books from authors with intersecting identities from the communities of Latinx and LGBTQ+. Check it out!
Book Recommendation
Let the Record Show, Sarah Schulman’s new book, showcases the history of ACT UP! This is a must read recommendation from the LGBTQ+ Task Force.
Show Your Pride
Did you know that HCC has our very own Pride shirt? These are available in the bookstore. You can buy it online or in person!
Save the dates
Learn About Transhealth Northampton
June 9, 2 p.m.
Register
Brooke Stott is a clinical social worker providing outpatient therapy, managing community partnerships, and offering training and education with Transhealth Northampton, an integrated healthcare organization serving the transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) communities of western MA and the surrounding areas. Brooke will share about the services offered at Transhealth, some basics on supporting TGD students, and the regionally-specific data that helps outline why all of this is important. Time will also be available for question and answer following the presentation.
Pride Flag Raising
June 10, 1 p.m.
Join us on Facebook for a live streaming of the Pride flag raising ceremony with HCC President Christina Royal.
Lesléa Newman Reading & Talkback
June 22, 5:30 p.m.
Register
Author Lesléa Newman reads Sparkle Boy, followed by a talk back and Q&A. Join us for this amazing opportunity for faculty, staff, and students with children – and for the curious, gender queer, and non-conformists in all of us – to gather around this topic of gender presentation. Lesléa will read the book out loud and then take questions.
Pedro Lemebel’s Manifesto: Hablo por mi diferencia
June 24, 11 a.m.
Register
Pedro Lemebel’s Manifesto: Hablo por mi diferencia. A queer conversation with Daniel Giraldo-Wonders, Faculty in Language and Latin American Literatures at Bard College at Simon's Rock.
Get involved in the Community
HCC's LGBTQ+ Task Force was created in fall 2020 in response to student concerns raised to President Royal. This task force is a subcommittee of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Want to be a part of the LGBTQ+ Task Force? Everyone is welcome! Email us at edicommittee@hcc.edu.
Check out what's happening in your community:
pride flag raising
Originally streamed live on Facebook, watch the June 10 raising of the Pride flag at HCC.
