The Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services, and OUTreach, the University of Alberta’s LGBTQ social group, have partnered with the U of A to bring about a unique event this month: the University of Alberta Pride Week, from March 13th to 22nd.
It is an open event and all members of the community are welcome to join, as it is not exclusive to University of Alberta students.
Following in last year’s footsteps, OUTreach hosted a February ski trip. Nicholas Diaz was the OUTreach’s Social Convener for the 2012 trip and helped to send out a 24-person ski trip to the Canadian Rockies. This year, OUTreach brought 56 members of the community together to enjoy a relaxing trip to Jasper for two and half-days; so in one year, the trip more than doubled in size! Travelers indulged in the activities of winter. Some chose to ski, some participated in an ice walk and some chose to spend their time snowboarding. The trip also included a gala. All in all, it brought individuals together for two days of fun and bonding. This triumphant mountain getaway was just a glimpse of what fun and excitement OUTreach has in store for the community!
This year marks the first formal occurrence of UofA Pride Week, so there is certainly a lot of hustle and bustle to ensure the event is up to par with community expectations. OUTreach has been working hard to ensure programming is perfect and that the week is a success.
There is a colourful list of creative events that will certainly inform and entertain Pride goers. Throughout the week there will be guest speakers including: Michael Phair, Darrin Hagen, Janice Ristok, Vivek Shraya and some of our very own Albertan politicians. There will be two film screenings, a community resource fair, a campus pride parade, a session of Coming Out Monologue performances in addition to several prime time evening events including: Queer Art Night and the OUTreach Drag Show!
OUTreach has mapped out the entire week to ensure Pride participants can make the most out of it, with something that should pique just about everyone’s interest. Day one will kick off with Coming Out Monologues: Performance & Colloquium. Day two is the Pride Week Teaser and Coming Out Monologues 2nd showing. Day three celebrates Pride week with the Pride Week Launch Party. Day four is a busy day including the parade, a keynote lecture from Dr. Janice Ristock, LGBTQ Family Panel and Rainbow Yoga. Day five includes REACH Edmonton: Community Conversations on LGBTQ Campus Safety, Traveling Tickle Trunk Presentation and a screening of "But, I’m A Cheerleader". Day six kicks off with Safe Spaces Orientation, followed by the Community Resources Fair, God Loves Hair: Reading by Vivek Shraya, "Reproductive Autonomy: Control of Sexuality" Panel Discussion, Speaker Series--What I Love About Being Queer: Vivek Shraya, ending with a screening of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". Day seven is the much-anticipated Queer Art Night. Day eight concludes the week with multiple events including: Breaking The Silence, Yoga as an Anti-Oppressive Practice and the OUTreach Drag Show! A detailed breakdown of events can be found on their website.
Multiple communities including: students, staff, groups, faculties, units/offices have come together to support the U of A Pride week 2013 with the primary goal of making Pride Week an important and enduring part of the fabric of the University of Alberta. Visibility and community are the number one focuses. This event would not be possible without the support of numerous and very diverse sponsors and organizers. It is truly a celebration that unites the whole community, and has community working together as one to celebrate our diversity.