Pac-12 Network Newsroom

Pride around the Pac-12: Universities celebrate Pride in the month of June & throughout academic year

Pac-12 Universities didnt 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UCLA Womens 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.

In Utah , the Utes wrapped their iconic U on campus with the progressive pride flag and celebrated with Utahs Pride Centers 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.

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 .