Katelynn Ortega
Students and community members talk to people at various booths about clubs Oct. 9. Many organizations were able to share their stories at Pride on The Plaza, which took place outside of the Lory Student Center.
October is LGBTQIA+ History Month in the United States, and to kick start the month and honor National Coming Out Day, Colorado State University’s Pride Resource Center hosted Pride on the Plaza Oct. 9.
The event was an opportunity to “learn about local and campus resources, LGBTQ+ history, and participate in our free Clothing Swap,” according to the Pride Resource Center’s website. “Let’s celebrate the many ways we can come into our identities and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. This is a day to celebrate pride, authenticity and joy and support all members of our community who may have different relationships with coming out.”
The director of the Pride Resource Center, Maggie Hendrickson, spoke about the importance of the event.
“October is LGBTQ+ History Month, and Saturday is also National Coming Out Day,” Hendrickson said. “We are out here to show visibility to our community and provide resources to our community.”
When arriving at Pride on the Plaza, there were a variety of resource tables, a door to take pictures with any provided pride flag and, of course, the Clothing Swap.
Hendrickson highlighted the importance of coming together to celebrate community.
“We are joined by a lot of tables of on- and off-campus groups,” Hendrickson said. “We want our community to know that it is more than just pride they can find belonging and resources in.”
“These events give people a place to belong; it makes them feel seen in a community that may not have those roots or beliefs as them.” –Meah Chau, CSU art and art history student
“It is important that we show visibility in ways that are joyful and community-oriented because a lot of times the LGBTQ community can be visible in more negative ways or for negative reasons,” Hendrickson said.
Hendrickson said they also consider each student’s individual background.
“We also know that students might not fully be out,” Hendrickson said. “They might still be coming to know who they are, and we also want them to know that we love them, too.”
“Pride on the Plaza was nice — I felt very welcome,” said Meah Chau, a CSU art and art history student who attended the event for the first time. “These events give people a place to belong; it makes them feel seen in a community that may not have those roots or beliefs as them.”
Chau attended Pride on the Plaza not really knowing what it was about, but she still decided to accompany a friend.
“When I showed up, I was a little confused, but once I talked to the different resources they had and looked at all the clothes, I saw the importance of why they do events like this,” Chau said.
“I truly believe outreach is done, especially by queer communities, (and that) is important to cultivate a sense of community and offer just a sense that people who are within the community are not alone,” said Mai Gokkaya, a first-year master’s student who volunteers with the Pride Resource Center.
“I find that this is an amazing way of cultivating community for myself,” Gokkaya said. “This is a way of connecting with people who are part of my community; it is a personal way of saying, ‘I am here by making an impact and touching other queer people’s lives.’”
Belonging and safety was another highlight for attendees, one being human development and family studies student Alyssa Hiegert.
“Events like these are important because it gives people who are in that space a place to go where they feel like they belong and feel safe,” Hiegert said.
When reflecting on putting together this event and others, Hiegert said it was well done.
“The Pride Resource Center puts everything together well,” Hiegert said. “I have been to a lot of their events because I feel like it is a community I am not afraid to be involved in.”
Heigert also added that the event was well-advertised and discussed across campus.
“When I saw the clothing swap and their Instagram posting pictures of the door and flags, I knew it would be good to go between my classes,” Hiegert said.
Reach Jolynn Montiel at life@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.