Drexel University will kick off and close out Pride Month 2021 with online events exploring and celebrating the wide spectrum of history, experiences and issues within the LGBTQIA+ community, which includes those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and all other identities that fall under the gender and sexuality umbrella.

To get things started, the Office of Equality and Diversity (OED), in partnership with several other Drexel units and groups, is hosting a virtual panel discussion on Wednesday, June 2, grounded in the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and professional staff members. “Honoring Pride Month: A Frank Conversation About Gender and Sexuality” will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Zoom. Register via Zoom to RSVP and receive the link. It is the latest event in OED’s “Frank Conversations” series, which aims to provide diversity, equity and inclusion education specific to different dimensions of identity in partnership with other members of the University.

“We know from our work in OED that many in our community struggle with terms specific to gender and sexuality in general, including use of pronouns, which underscores the importance of these frank conversations,” said Executive Director for Diversity and Inclusive Culture Patience Ajoff-Foster (she/her), PhD, who will be moderating the panel discussion. “These events are intended to provide education through personal experiences grounded in broad contexts to promote an inclusive culture of belonging at the University,”

Joseph H. Hancock II (he/him), PhD, professor and program director for the masters in retail and merchandising program at the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, will begin the June 2 discussion with a brief overview defining key gender- and sexuality-based terms and a history of Pride Month in the United States. The panelists will then discuss LGBTQIA+ visibility, political discrimination, microaggressions, and cultural and generational nuances. They will also explore the history of anti-LGBTQIA+ bias and violence in the United States and provide strategies and resources for allyship and other ways to get involved.

The panelists for this event are:

• Scarlett Bellamy (she/her), ScD, professor of biostatistics, associate dean for diversity and inclusion, and director of biostatistics at the Dornsife School of Public Health
• Charles Chiccarine (he/him), B.S. Computer Science, Drexel University Class of 2022, teaching assistant in the College of Computing and Informatics, and founding president/student advisor of Out in STEM
• Giuseppe Salomone (he/him), PhD, assistant vice president and University Registrar, president of the LGBTQA+ Faculty and Professional Staff Network, and president of the LGBTQA+ Alumni Group
• Gigi Wickline (they/she), assistant director for prevention and education in the Office of Equality and Diversity

Then to close out Pride Month, the Drexel University College of Medicine and Tower Health are hosting a day-long, virtual LGBTQ+ Symposium on June 30 featuring sessions exploring gender and sexuality terms, needs and barriers to care for LGBTQ+ community, and the care of transgender individuals. These events are open to all students, faculty and professional staff, and you can register here via EventBrite.

For more events celebrating Pride Month, please check the OED Events Calendar throughout the month of June. And for additional resources in support of the LGBTQIA+ community, please visit Drexel’s Gender and Sexuality Resource Page.