March 23rd was a festive day for both the LGBTQ community and straight allies alike at Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan University.

Held in the Towers Bar from 6-10pm, students dressed outside of their gender to "raise awareness of gender roles, and provide a safe environment for students to dress up as another gender and talk about the challenges and triumphs they face in their gender role," explains Nicole Tupechka, the Social Wellness and Awareness Coordinator for the Students’ Association of Grant MacEwan University.

Over $2,000 was allocated to the very special event, which was fully supported by the Students’ Association of MacEwan along with the student group InQUEERies (co-chaired by Stephanie Dean and Joshua Stewart). The two groups worked collectively throughout the year to achieve this year’s soiree.

"The Peer Support program of MacEwan has helped a tremendous amount to ensure this event will be as successful as possible and provide resources for students who may be facing challenges," Tupechka says.

"A main goal of mine for the year was to make sure that ALL students at MacEwan feel safe and appreciated," she explains. "I wanted to ensure that MacEwan is acknowledged as an inclusive university where students are encouraged to be themselves and feel safe pursuing new opportunities."

The event was an opportunity for attendees to enjoy themselves in a relaxed environment, collect and share resources, and show support for fellow students.

In addition, it was chance to celebrate the Str8 Against H8 campaign launched in February.

"The straight population of MacEwan really showed up and gave their full support, letting the LBGT community know that this is safe space, and that there are many straight allies within the MacEwan community," Tupechka said.