Mason Pride Week

March 16th-March 31st, 2024

History

The June 1969 “Stonewall Rebellion” against police – led by mostly young working class, youth of color, Puerto Rican and Black drag queens – at the Stonewall bar on New York City’s Christopher Street, is often thought of as marking the beginning of modern gay liberation in the U.S. In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, police had extorted money from the owners of nightclubs that served gay folks. They often raided the clubs to demonstrate their muscle, arresting the patrons, publishing their names, and sometimes beating or raping them in custody. For the first time ever, instead of passively accepting the police brutality, the patrons fought back.

A year later, activists in other cities were thinking of ways to make the anniversary. During the 1970s various groups began to observe Pride Day, on weekends in June. Today, the holiday is celebrated as the anniversary of the modern movement for the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

In our Northern Virginia and DC area, pride celebrations include Youth Pride, Black Pride, Leather Pride, the Dyke March, and Capital Pride.

University campuses vary widely in whether, how, and when they organize LGBT Pride observances. Here at Mason, Pride Week takes place in late March / early April (close to the end of the Spring semester, but prior to June when many students are off-campus for the summer). Our activities include speakers and performers, panel discussions, dances, poetry readings/open mic events, and our annual Drag Show.


2024 Pride Week Event Calendar

DateEvent NameEvent TimeEvent LocationSponsoring Orgs/UnitsRegistration (if applicable)
Wednesday, March 20th Identity Night: QT BIPOC5:00pm-6:30pmSUB I (Suite 2200, Patriot’s Lounge, Suite 2400)LGBTQ+ Resources CenterRegister Here
Thursday, March 21stLeadership Summit Series: LGBTQ+ Literacies for Our Future1:00pm-2:30pmZoomSchool of Integrative Studies, LEAD Office, Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment Register Here
Thursday, March 21stVisiting Filmmakers Series: KENYATTA: DO NOT WAIT YOUR TURN with filmmaker Timothy Harris5:00pm-7:45pmJC CinemaVisiting Filmmakers Series, LGBTQ+ Resources CenterRegister Here
Friday, March 22ndLeadership in an Evolving World: Developing Thriving Workplaces and a Culture of Belonging – Safe Zone+ Program (4 Workshops in 1)9:00am-4:30pmMain Reading Room 2001, Fenwick LibraryGraduate Student Life, LGBTQ+ Resources CenterRegister Here
Friday, March 22ndQT Self Defense Class6:45pm-9:00pmRAC Martial Arts RoomLGBTQ+ Resources CenterRegister Here
Sunday, March 24thPride Outside: LGBTQ+ Student Leaders12:00pm-4:30pmThe Edge (SciTech Campus)LGBTQ+ Resources CenterRegister Here
Tuesday, March 26thQueer Lunch Series for Faculty & Staff12:00-1:00pmJC Meeting Room AStudent Success CoachingRSVP Here
Wednesday, March 27thCostello College of Business LGBTQ+ Pride Social3:00-4:30pmSUB 1 Room 3AOffice of Student Success and Academic Services, CCBRegister Here
Wednesday, March 27thQT BIPOC Paint & Sip6:00pm-8:00pmPaul Robeson Room (240A, JC 2nd Floor)LGBTQ+ Resources Center, African and African American StudiesRegister Here
Thursday, March 28thLGBTQ+ Faculty Fellows Symposium11:45am-1:00pmJC Room E (3rd Floor)LGBTQ+ Resources Center Register Here
Thursday, March 28thTips for LGBTQ+ Travelers Abroad3:00-4:00pmJC Room 235 (GEO Offices)Global Education Office, LGBTQ+ Resources CenterRegister Here
Thursday, March 28thSelf Care Space with CAPS4:00pm-5:00pmSUB I Suite 2400 MPRCounseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)No registration needed
Thursday, March 28thMeaningful Conversations- LGBTQ+ Community7:00-8:00pmExploratory L004GMU Panhellenic CouncilRegister Here
Friday, March 29thFans of Funding Craft: Getting Excited for the Drag Show1:00pm-3:00pmLGBTQ+ Resources Center (SUB I Suite 2200)Office of Fellowships, LGBTQ+ Resources CenterRegister Here
Saturday, March 30thStudent Parent Community Space2:30pm-4:30pmHUB 1012Contemporary Student ServicesRegister Here
Saturday, March 30thMason Pride Week Drag Show8:00pm-10:00pmJC Atrium LGBTQ+ Resources Center, Arise Campus Ministry, Pride Alliance, LGBTQ+ Resources Center, Women and Gender Studies, CEC – Diversity, Outreach, and Inclusive Learning; Housing and Residence LifeRegister Here

Saturday, March 30thMason Pride Week Drag Show Afterparty10:00pm-12:00amThe RidgeHousing and Residence Life, LGBTQ+ Resources CenterRegister Here