UNF celebrates Pride Month 2021
June is Pride Month and an opportunity to honor and celebrate the positive impact that people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning have made throughout history. It is a time to unite with LGBTQ communities to honor their fight for freedom to be themselves.
This annual celebration honors the LGBTQ movement that started more than 50 years ago with the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City. This event helped spur the modern gay rights movement and the fight for equality that continues today.
At UNF, Pride Month is an important opportunity to celebrate the impact LGBTQ people have made not only on our University campus, but also locally, regionally and globally.
The following UNF Pride Month 2021 events are open to the general public:
- The Many Sides of Pride Film Festival
- Time/Date: Thursday, June 3 to Sunday, June 6
- Location: Virtually and through limited in-person viewing at MOCA Jacksonville
- Description: Over the course of four days, MOCA Jacksonville will present 10 films highlighting the diversity of LGBTQ stories and storytellers, celebrating their impact on the world of cinema. Programming features presentations from filmmakers, panel discussions with members of Jacksonville's LGBTQ community, and moderated post-film conversations.
- Drag Queen Brunch
- Time/Date: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 6
- Location: Jacksonville Public Library Main
- Description: Enjoy a special performance by RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 4 Winner, Trinity the Tuck, who will be the MC and main performer, joined on stage with some of Jacksonville's top Queens, including the Queen of Cabaret and Comedy, Karissa T. Wade.
- Youth Pride
- Time/Date: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 26
- Location: TBD on UNF’s campus
- Description: UNF’s LGBTQ Center and LGBTQ centers across the US to celebrate NYC Youth Pride. This event will feature virtual guest appearances by influencers and activists, musical and dance performances, segments featuring local/national non-profits and more.
UNF is consistently ranked among the top choices for LGBTQ students and named a Best and Most Affordable LGBTQ-Friendly Online College. UNF is currently ranked as the number one of LGBTQ Friendliest Universities/Colleges in Florida according to Campus Pride. UNF has wonderful resources in its LGBTQ Center and staff that is committed to advocacy, equality, respect and support for the entire campus community.
LGBTQ Center staff members help mentor and assist students in discovering and honing their unique talents, securing internships as well as jobs and finding a network of supportive individuals to help them thrive in college. The Center also provides safe space and pronoun training workshops to faculty and staff as well as to the greater Jacksonville community.
"We hope that Pride Month serves as a platform to educate, raise awareness and elevate important conversations about LGBTQ identities and experiences to members of our Osprey community,” said Manny Velásquez-Paredes, UNF LGBTQ Center director.
For more information on the Pride Month events taking place at UNF and how to join in on these celebrations, visit the UNF LBGTQ Center’s upcoming events.