Celebrating 50 years of pride

June 8, 2020

University Relations

— by Margo Griffith, chief diversity officer

This year, we celebrate 50 years of pride. On June 28, 1969, the New York Police Department raided the Stonewall Inn, a New York City gay bar. The patrons of Stonewall Inn, led by black trans and lesbian women, fought back, catalyzing the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The next year, marches in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago commemorated the Stonewall riots and are considered the first pride marches in U.S. history.

Though we are not able to celebrate Pride Month together in person, the UAF Nanook Diversity and Action Center has partnered with community organizations to offer a series of virtual celebrations, lectures and discussions to honor the progress we’ve made while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done.

These events are open to all members of the UAF community and the public. The Department of Equity and Compliance’s Share, Learn, Grow page has links to additional books, podcasts and other resources.

In Chancellor White's September leadership column, he highlighted our LGBTQ+ community and how you belong at UAF. This is true throughout the year, but it has a special resonance as we celebrate pride. In reaffirming this message, we also want to say to UAF’s black LGBTQ+ community, we see you, we hear you and we stand with you.