Pacific Joins in Celebration of Pride Month

This month, Pacific University joins our communities in celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month.

Now often marked with parades, street parties and celebrations, it is important to remember that the first Pride movements started as an act of civil disobedience. On June 28, 1969, in New York City, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities stood up against a police raid that was designed to intimidate, humiliate and brutalize people on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The six days of protests and clashes became known as the Stonewall Uprising and marked the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Among the many early leaders of the movement were Marsha P. Johnson, a Black, trans, bisexual woman, and bisexual activist Brenda Howard — known as the “Mother of Pride” — who coordinated a rally and march on the first anniversary of Stonewall, launching what is now Pride Day celebrated on June 28 every year.

We are keenly aware that members of LGBTQIA communities continue to face many barriers and injustices in our society. During this month, we acknowledge the turbulent history of the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement, while also celebrating the courage, strength and resilience of those communities in the midst of adversity and in the pursuit of equality. 

At Pacific University, we strive to support our LGBTQIA+ students in many ways, including programming through the Center for Gender Equity, Queer Let’s Talk drop-in sessions with the Student Counseling Center, and in partnerships across our campuses and communities.

Throughout Pride Month, and all year, Pacific University stands in support of LGBTQIA+ communities and is committed to continuing to foster a more inclusive culture of equity on our campuses and in our world. 

We are proud to share that Campus Pride and PFLAG National will nationally recognize Pacific on June 5 at its national Lavender Graduation Celebration. Additionally, I invite all of you, LGBTQIA+ and allies alike, to join in the many festivities planned by Portland Pride this year.