Shine a Light: Ronnie Houchin on 'Beyond Stonewall'

June 15, 2021

University Relations



Ronnie Houchin is the associate director for student engagement. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.
Ronnie Houchin is the associate director for student engagement. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.


A discussion about LGBTQ+ equality will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 21, as part of the celebration of Pride Month. Ronnie Houchin, associate director of UAF's Center for Student Engagement, will present "Beyond Stonewall: Past and Present Movements for LBGTQ+ Equality." The talk is part of the Shine a Light speaker series.



The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969, and the Supreme Court's Obergefell decision on June 26, 2015, are two of the most recognized milestones in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, but the modern movement for LGTBQ+ equality started at least a century before Stonewall and continues today, especially for queer and trans people of color. Learn about pre-Stonewall queer activism and continued pushes for equity beyond marriage.


Ronnie Houchin (he/him/his) is the associate director of the Center for Student Engagement on the Troth Yeddha' Campus, in Fairbanks. Houchin became involved in LGBTQ+ activism as a college student and continues to advocate for a safe, supportive university community free from harassment and discrimination. He is also the 2021-2022 UAF Staff Council president.

Sessions for Shine A Light: Promoting Conversation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion seek to encourage understanding, build empathy and engage everyone in thinking critically about worldviews. The sessions take place the last Monday of every month with a new speaker and topic.



Shine a Light is hosted by the Northwest Campus, Nanook Diversity and Action Center, and Department of Equity and Compliance.

For more information, please contact the Nanook Diversity and Action Center at 474-6369 or uaf-ndac@alaska.edu.