Pride around the Pac-12: Universities celebrate Pride in the month of June & throughout academic year
Pac-12 Universities didn’t wait until June 1st to roll out their rainbows and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community on their campuses, they've been celebrating all year long. But this past month provided the community with a culmination of numerous Pride-themed events, resources and activations throughout the league, along with the first-ever Pac-12 Educational Pride Webinar that featured Pac-12 student-athletes, alumni, coaches and staff.
In Tucson, the University of Arizona is part of the Athlete Ally campus chapter which works to support the activism, leadership and power of the Wildcat LGBTQIA+ community. Arizona also updated its sportsmanship policy with “BearDown with Pride” that was refreshed to include more inclusive language to support and protect LGBTQIA+ student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans.
Happy #PRIDEMonth!
Join us as we celebrate our staff, coaches, and student-athletes in the LGBTQ+ community!
Together We #BearDown pic.twitter.com/TFb4IXqYh8
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) June 1, 2021
Over in Tempe at Arizona State, the Sun Devils created a #ThriveAsUAre campaign to encourage student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans to see how some of their clubs and organizations, such as @BeYouASU, are unifying, supporting and advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community. They also released an ASU themed Pride giphy collection to use across social media to celebrate Pride.
Happy Pride Month Sun Devils! 🏳️🌈
You deserve to #ThriveAsUare, this month and every month.
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/xz4S7crC3I
— Arizona State University (@ASU) June 4, 2021
In Berkeley, Cal hosted a Pride-themed Lacrosse game in April. Head Coach, Denise Wescott, who helped organize the event was also a featured panelist on the Educational Pride Webinar. Cal celebrated the #BearsUnited activation across the campus where members of the LGBTQIA+ Golden Bears community shared their stories about challenges they face as an invisible minority.
❤️Love and Visibility 👀#BearsUnited | #PrideMonth pic.twitter.com/hkQfxnqXK4
— Cal Athletics (@CalAthletics) June 10, 2021
In Boulder, the Buffs promoted both virtual and in-person events taking place across Colorado including Pride themed drive-in film screenings and a Pride 5K. The Buffs also provided resources to encourage students to volunteer at or donate to LGBTQ+ specific organizations.
Happy Pride! 🏳️🌈 Throughout the month of June we’re excited to highlight news, related events, and the history of Pride. Stay tuned!
To learn more about our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and the CU Boulder Pride Office, click the link ➡ https://t.co/JcacaoNnaE pic.twitter.com/ZWTfaQGmIW
— CU Boulder (@CUBoulder) June 4, 2021
In Eugene, the Ducks hosted a Lavender Graduation ceremony for graduating LGBTQ+ students. They also created a comprehensive online resource guide to inspire students to celebrate Pride complete with a festive Oregon Pride dance break.
Happy #PrideMonth, Ducks! 🌈 We're bursting with Pride in June when Lavender Graduation occurs and LGBTQ seniors receive their hard-earned degrees. Celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community and discover more: https://t.co/6i3nL8T27z pic.twitter.com/WBvByhxsxd
— University of Oregon (@uoregon) June 1, 2021
At Oregon State, the Beavs' student-athlete advisory council celebrated a "Beavs Be True" campaign while at Stanford, the Cardinal activated their social platforms to celebrate Pride.
Beaver Athletics is proud to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community! #Pride2021
Happy Pride Month ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 pic.twitter.com/p8DPlSUH6I
— The Beavs (@BeaverAthletics) June 2, 2021
Happy Pride Month! ❤️💛🧡💚💜💙
Proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community during #Pride2021, and every day. pic.twitter.com/JQEl59FgzH
— Stanford Athletics (@GoStanford) June 1, 2021
UCLA Women’s Gymnastics hosted a Pride meet in March, while on the diamond, Bruins softball athletes sported Pride grip tape. Across town at USC, the LGBT Athletic Committee / Social Work Center for LGBT+ Studies hosted online resources along with student-athletes receiving an LGBTQ+ and BLM inspired backpack to use this past academic year.
SC #PRIDE! pic.twitter.com/QDmDTGEPA0
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) June 4, 2021
In Utah, the Utes wrapped their iconic U on campus with the progressive pride flag and celebrated with Utah’s Pride Center’s interactive outdoor exhibit “Pride Story Garden” in downtown Salt Lake City. In Seattle, the Huskies showed their Pride by hosting a Lavender Graduation and their Q Center provided resources and links to events happening around Seattle.
Happy first day of #Pride month! Check out @utahpridecenter’s Pride Story Garden, Thurs-Mon (June 3-7) at Washington Square in downtown #SLC.
It's an interactive outdoor exhibit where we’re fortunate to have a few panels on display!
Ticket info: https://t.co/GNWPNGLLWr 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/E0LVoDoxNl
— University of Utah (@UUtah) June 1, 2021
In Pullman, the Cougars and their CPSSA (Cougar Pride Student-Athlete Alliance) created a series on social media to celebrate Pride where Students and Coaches shared what Prides means to them using the #Cougs4Pride.
As we continue to celebrate #Pride together, Bella Murekatete of @WSUCougarWBB shares what this month means to her. #GoCougs #TogetherCougs #Cougs4Pride pic.twitter.com/RmsdwKk2qt
— Washington State Athletics (@WSUCougars) June 10, 2021