(Image via @umassdpridealliance / Instagram)
Volunteer Writer: Isabella Gerardi
Email: igerardi@umassd.edu
UMass Dartmouth’s Pride Alliance offers a safe space for students to celebrate pride on campus through their weekly meetings and events hosted throughout the semester.
On Thursday, September 21st, Pride Alliance held its first-semester meeting at the Center for Women Gender and Sexuality (CWGS).
The meeting space is relaxed and welcoming, with couches and comfortable chairs where members can sit, talk about their days, and engage with each week’s activity.
They aim to make “UMD a welcoming space for queer students.”
The club meetings do just that by creating a comforting and friendly atmosphere for students to connect and share their experiences on campus.
For the first meeting of the semester, the club painted flower pots. Students painted and decorated their flower pots and returned them to their dorms.
This first meeting also served as an introductory meeting for the club’s executive board and any plans for the upcoming semester. Co-chairs Carol and Gabe, Treasurer Sadie, Social Media Coordinators Ky and Sam, Secretary Isabella (me), and Graphic Designer Fiona used this meeting as an opportunity to go over different aspects of the club.
Pride Alliance also has a history of hosting campus events, often alongside CWGS, as seen in the many events they hosted last year. Pride Alliance helped to host the annual drag show, Masquerade Ball, and a speed dating event for UMass Dartmouth students. They have also hosted many fun events during their weekly meeting, such as game nights, painting, and movie nights.
Dedicated to promoting awareness and education, Pride Alliance has also hosted events such as Lavender Night, which explains the significance of lavender in queer communities, and a Mental Health Workshop with a counselor from Pride Southcoast.
Are you interested in becoming involved with Pride Alliance?
Meetings are on Thursdays at 6 PM in CWGS, and all students are welcome to attend. Many exciting and fun events are planned for the upcoming semester, such as the annual Drag Show and Queer Stand Up comedy night!
On September 28th at 6 PM, the Pride Alliance will be holding an NSFW coloring night.
At the end of the spring semester, members are also invited to attend the annual P-town trip.
For more information, check out the Pride Alliance Instagram.