UofU to celebrate ‘Queer at the Intersections’

The LGBT Resource Center at the University of Utah announced its annual Pride Week March 29–April 3. This year’s theme is “Queer at the Intersections,” which Center director Clare Lemke says is about celebrating queer and transgender lives “through the intersections of multiple different identities.”

Throughout the week, a Uniquely U Art Competition will take place. Queer people and allies are challenged to express their identities through art of any medium. Small grants are available to help with the pieces through tinyurl.com/PW21-artgrants. The competition will be online through the week and winners will be announced in a Facebook Live event on the LGBT LGBT Resource Center’s page on April 3 at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday, March 29 at 7 p.m., there will be a virtual Gaymer’s Night with Entertainment Arts and Engineering. Join the Discord server at discord.gg/fJmrHhFHKy.

On Tuesday, March 30 from noon to 2 p.m. will be a panel discussion titled “Out at Work.” It will involve a panel of alumni talking about how they have navigated being LGBTQIA+ in the workplace followed by breakout rooms with facilitators on a variety of LGBTQIA+ employment topics, including: building inclusive environments in the workplace, healing from workplace trauma, a networking workshop, and managing LGBT+ discrimination in the workplace. Registration and information at diversity.utah.edu/event/out-at-work/

A Gender Expansive Clothing Pop-up Shop will be held Wednesday March 31 and Thursday, April 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the A. Ray Olpin Union Building.

Also on Wednesday, the week will celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with a “What I wish I had known” Conference from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom. Sessions include healthy relationships, the medical aspects of transitioning, gender identity, legal aspects of transitioning, and experiences of hormone therapy. Register at lgbt.utah.edu. Thursday, April 1 offers a free virtual movie screening of “But I’m A Cheerleader” complete with optional party packs of snacks, resources, and “some little surprises here and there.” Quantities are limited and will be given away first come, first served while supplies last and can be picked up at the Union desk or they can be mailed to you. A virtual Queer and Trans Students of Color Mixer will happen on Friday, April 2. A limited supply of gift cards and lunch offers will be distributed to those who register. The week ends Friday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. with the Black Benatar’s Black Magic Cabaret, a virtual “eclectic theater spectacle that fuses elements of local performance, magic, and drag performance to bring audiences on a journey through race and cultural allyship in the U.S. As the Ringleader of the ensemble’s circus, Black Benatar commands the stage and acts as the “straight man” to the comedic interludes of her companion, Wyatt Allai, all while showcasing the talents of local performers telling their stories of being queer, black, or other, in the U.S. right now.” Tickets can be purchased through UtahPresents.org.

Volunteers for day-of events are still needed. Those interested can email Dr. Lemke.

For more information on Pride Week and the LGBT Resource Center, visit lgbt.utah.edu.