June 10-14 is Pride Week at UND

The 3rd annual UND Pride Week puts an emphasis on community advocacy with its theme, “Stronger Together.”

“These past few years have been challenging for queer and trans people, and now more than ever, we need to come together as a community to push forward in advocating for queer and trans inclusion at the intersections of identity in higher education and beyond,” said Jeff Maliskey, director of the Pride Center.

“We are stronger when we work together. And this year, our events and activities focus on our history and how we have continued to build community.

“Our work really embraces UND LEADS,” Maliskey added. “We all have a piece to contribute. It can be Service to queer and trans communities, embracing Discovery by advancing queer and trans research, fostering Affinity by creating a welcoming and safe environment, supporting queer and trans inclusive practices and initiatives through our Equity strategic priorities, and promoting continual Learning to engage in the world as a global citizen, embracing all queer and trans people have to offer,” Maliskey added.

This year’s theme gives the community an opportunity for self-reflection and education as the campus continues to support LGBTQ+ students in its community, Maliskey said.

“This past year, I have been thrilled to see such a commitment to serving queer and trans students. More and more faculty are seeking out grant opportunities to support queer and trans people or engage students in research and projects in their field study,” he said. “There is such momentum right now in advancing queer and trans inclusion in academic affairs, and it excites me for the future as students can in return be creative and apply their knowledge to their work through a more equitable and inclusive lens that only strengths our society as a whole.”

Members of the campus community are encouraged to engage with Pride Center programs and events and take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available.

Pride Week event calendar

Monday, June 10 – Chalk with Pride

A staple of UND Pride Week, the Pride Center invites the community to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community by chalking sidewalk in front of the Memorial Union.

10 a.m. – Noon , Memorial Union Front Sidewalk

Tuesday, June 11 – Pride Through the Decades

Maliskey will present an overview of Pride Month’s history, from its origins at Stonewall to present day.

11 a.m. – Noon, Memorial Union 214 – Ballroom B

Wednesday, June 12 – Walk with Pride

Meet at the Memorial Union South Lawn and join the Pride Center for a wellness walk around campus.

Noon – 12:45 p.m. – Memorial Union South Lawn

Thursday, June 13 – LGBTQ+ Faculty & Staff Panel Discussion

Bridget Brooks, Teaching Transformation and Development Academy instructional designer; Darin Buri, College of Engineering & Mines facility and library manager; and Maliskey will participate in an hourlong discussion on the LGBTQ+ experience at UND.

Noon – 1 p.m., Memorial Union, Henry Family Ballroom