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Pride/LGBTQIA+ History Months 2023

Join us monthly as we celebrate a different community on campus. UWL Celebration Months amplifies voices from the many vibrant cultures and communities on campus. Join us throughout the year as we celebrate our friends and neighbors and gain a deeper understanding of our community.

The purpose of this project is to give others on our campus, in the surrounding community, and anyone that visits the UWL website a chance to learn more about different experiences and perspectives of the community that we are celebrating on any given month.

Allies and advocates are invited to share their stories.

UWL Celebrates

Pride / LGBTQIA+ History Months

Photo shared by Kaylie Connaughty Kaylie Connaughty Employee 2022
Photo shared by Kaylie Connaughty

Kaylie Connaughty

Employee

I celebrate Pride and LGBTQ+ History Month by continuously learning about the history of Pride, issues the LGBTQ+ community face, and ways I can make a difference. Recently I've been trying to make more of an effort to research businesses and companies that I choose to buy from. Many businesses "support" Pride Month by selling shirts and other items with the Pride Flag, but put their money towards politicians that are anti-trans and/or anti-LGBTQ+ rights. Always stay informed, always learn, and vote for politicians that work towards improving the lives of the LGBTQ+ community!
Photo shared by Andrew Ives Andrew Ives Employee 2022
Photo shared by Andrew Ives

Andrew Ives

Employee

I celebrate Pride Month by being in community with my LGBTQ siblings and family. I volunteer at the The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection and attend Pride celebrations across the Midwest! I am also excited that in La Crosse Pride in the Park happens in September so that the whole La Crosse community can be involved!

Photo shared by Becki Elkins Becki Elkins Employee 2023
Photo shared by Becki Elkins

Becki Elkins

Employee

I celebrate my queer FAMILY - my partner, my gay son and his partner, my other son who is a tremendous ally, my LaCrosse family, and all of my chosen 2SLGBTQ family. I celebrate because today I can. I celebrate to create space for, and share love and hope with, all 2SLGBTQ folx.
Photo shared by Maren Walz Maren Walz Employee 2023
Photo shared by Maren Walz

Maren Walz

Employee

One of my favorite ways to celebrate Pride is to watch a women's rugby game with my family. Women's rugby is a place where the celebration of individuality, body positivity and LGBTQ+ pride are all core to the sport's culture. My life is impacted by countless queer woman ruggers and I'm forever grateful to my rugby experience making me the ally I am today!
Photo shared by Stacy Narcotta-Welp Stacy Narcotta-Welp Employee 2023
Photo shared by Stacy Narcotta-Welp

Stacy Narcotta-Welp

Employee

I celebrate my wonderful family this Pride/LGBTQIA+ History Month. That includes my wonderful mother, her wife, my amazing wife, my caring and energetic son (pictured). I also want to shout out to all the Allies in my family, from my brother, in-laws, nieces and nephews, and heavenly Allies - my dad and Great Grandma Smiley- both who were ahead of their time in understanding and unconditional love!
Photo shared by Heather Talbot Heather Talbot Employee 2023
Photo shared by Heather Talbot

Heather Talbot

Employee

May we shine on! “They're telling you to blend in, like you've never seen how a blender works, like they think you've never seen the mess from the blade.” ― Andrea Gibson, poet

About Pride / LGBTQIA+ History Months

UWL chose to celebrate and recognize two important celebrations in June; Pride Month and LGBTQIA+ History Month.  
 
For Pride Month, UWL would like to recognize and celebrate our Pride Center. Our Pride center has made many steps forward over the years to create an inclusive safe space for our LQBTQIA+ Community. 
 
LGBTQ+ Pride Month: "Commemorates the anniversary of the June 28, 1969, Stonewall riot in New York City, the incident that initiated the modern gay rights movement in the United States." 
 
LGBT History Month: Officially observed in October, UWL chooses to celebrate in both June and October. LGBT History Month, "celebrates the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people in the United States." 
 
Source: Anti-Defamation League, https://www.adl.org/resources/tools-and-strategies/calendar-observances 
Nathan Zinn-Wirtz performs as Solitaire Noell Beige A passion for performance Posted 6 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 Local drag performer shares how she came to life as part of October Celebrations Month  Read more about A passion for performance UWL’s Pride Center has been a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty since its founding 25 years ago. Read more → Creating a sense of pride Posted 3:44 p.m. Friday, March 27, 2020 Pride Center marks 25 years of advocacy, education. Read more about Creating a sense of pride Will Van Roosenbeek, director of UWL’s Pride Center, speaks prior to the raising of the Rainbow Pride Flag. Read more → Flag raising Posted 11:21 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2019 UWL joins state capitol with Rainbow Pride Flag raising. Read more about Flag raising
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