Event to celebrate National Coming Out Day and provides a safe space for queer and ally students
By Emma Osborne
Allies and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center are hosting their annual Pridefest on Thursday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in MSU 218 and 223. This event provides a safe space for queer students to have fun and celebrate who they are. In honor of several queer albums being released this past year, the theme for this year’s Pridefest will be “Pridefest Radio.” The event’s themes are pink, blue, and green, emulating three artists with new queer albums, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, and Charli XCX.
Photo Credit: Noah Gray
Clubs and organizations on campus were invited to create their own activity and resource table for the event in addition to Allies’ planned activities. Attendees should expect airbrush tattoos, cotton candy, giveaway baskets, stuff-your-own stuffed animals, bracelet-making, queer trivia, potted plant decorating, and more. There will be a coinciding art show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a poetry reading from 1:30-2:30 p.m., in MSU 223 to celebrate National Coming Out Day.
“Students need a space dedicated to them and their joy and history. We think Pridefest is a good, consistent way to celebrate that,” said Allies President, Noah Gray.
This year will mark the sixth annual Pridefest since the event received funding to make it a tradition back in 2019. Gray believes it has done a lot of good for the community.
“Not only does this event remind students that they’re safe in their self-expression, but they also come to find several more clubs, organizations, and campus resources that support them,” Gray said.
Allies seeks to create a safe support network to advocate for LGBTQ+ and ally students. The club holds meetings every week and many events throughout the year. They meet on Thursdays at 11 a.m. at Boxwood House, and can be found on Instagram @kuallies.
The LGBTQ+ Resource Center has meetings available by appointment Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They host weekly Spill the Tea events in Boxwood House on Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m. and weekly Queer Media Group meetings on Thursdays at 5 p.m. They can be found on Instagram @lgbtqresourceku.