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
| Date | Event Name | Event Time | Event Location | Sponsoring Orgs/Units | Registration (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, March 20th | Identity Night: QT BIPOC | 5:00pm-6:30pm | SUB I (Suite 2200, Patriot’s Lounge, Suite 2400) | LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |
| Thursday, March 21st | Leadership Summit Series: LGBTQ+ Literacies for Our Future | 1:00pm-2:30pm | Zoom | School of Integrative Studies, LEAD Office, Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment | Register Here |
| Thursday, March 21st | Visiting Filmmakers Series: KENYATTA: DO NOT WAIT YOUR TURN with filmmaker Timothy Harris | 5:00pm-7:45pm | JC Cinema | Visiting Filmmakers Series, LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |
| Friday, March 22nd | Leadership in an Evolving World: Developing Thriving Workplaces and a Culture of Belonging – Safe Zone+ Program (4 Workshops in 1) | 9:00am-4:30pm | Main Reading Room 2001, Fenwick Library | Graduate Student Life, LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |
| Friday, March 22nd | QT Self Defense Class | 6:45pm-9:00pm | RAC Martial Arts Room | LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |
| Sunday, March 24th | Pride Outside: LGBTQ+ Student Leaders | 12:00pm-4:30pm | The Edge (SciTech Campus) | LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |
| Tuesday, March 26th | Queer Lunch Series for Faculty & Staff | 12:00-1:00pm | JC Meeting Room A | Student Success Coaching | RSVP Here |
| Wednesday, March 27th | Costello College of Business LGBTQ+ Pride Social | 3:00-4:30pm | SUB 1 Room 3A | Office of Student Success and Academic Services, CCB | Register Here |
| Wednesday, March 27th | QT BIPOC Paint & Sip | 6:00pm-8:00pm | Paul Robeson Room (240A, JC 2nd Floor) | LGBTQ+ Resources Center, African and African American Studies | Register Here |
| Thursday, March 28th | LGBTQ+ Faculty Fellows Symposium | 11:45am-1:00pm | JC Room E (3rd Floor) | LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |
| Thursday, March 28th | Tips for LGBTQ+ Travelers Abroad | 3:00-4:00pm | JC Room 235 (GEO Offices) | Global Education Office, LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |
| Thursday, March 28th | Self Care Space with CAPS | 4:00pm-5:00pm | SUB I Suite 2400 MPR | Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) | No registration needed |
| Thursday, March 28th | Meaningful Conversations- LGBTQ+ Community | 7:00-8:00pm | Exploratory L004 | GMU Panhellenic Council | Register Here |
| Friday, March 29th | Fans of Funding Craft: Getting Excited for the Drag Show | 1:00pm-3:00pm | LGBTQ+ Resources Center (SUB I Suite 2200) | Office of Fellowships, LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |
| Saturday, March 30th | Student Parent Community Space | 2:30pm-4:30pm | HUB 1012 | Contemporary Student Services | Register Here |
| Saturday, March 30th | Mason Pride Week Drag Show | 8:00pm-10:00pm | JC 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 Life | Register Here |
| Saturday, March 30th | Mason Pride Week Drag Show Afterparty | 10:00pm-12:00am | The Ridge | Housing and Residence Life, LGBTQ+ Resources Center | Register Here |