IWU’s Pride Alliance hosted the “Fruit Mixer” for around thirty students to connect with students, faculty and staff who are allies or part of the community. Those in attendance at the October 18 event were served fruit platters and invited to participate in discussion. Later in the evening the executive board got up to speak about the association itself and future events coming up.
The event itself was meant to establish the RSO on campus this year, and for students interested to dip their toes in.
The IWU Pride Alliance is a student-run organization that is dedicated to equality for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. They provide social and political support and try to offer “under any means necessary to help ensure the safety and equality for all in the community.”
Pride Alliance plans to host several events throughout the rest of the year, and they go into each of their events with the hope that they are changing the campus for the better.
“I love the change we’re implementing and the space we’re creating on campus,” vice president and senior Monischa Hills said.
Hills has been the Vice President of the IWU Pride Alliance for two years and said that her great team, including Orion Capela, President, Aja Grant, Treasurer and Jasmyn Taylor, Communications Officer, are what make Pride Alliance work.
The whole executive board stood side by side when addressing those in attendance at the fruit mixer, with big smiles on their faces.
“I just hope that this progress we’re making continues,” said Hills.
Pride Alliance will be hosting an event to observe Transgender Day of Rememberance, which takes place on November 20, to honor the memory of the transgender individuals whos lives were taken away during transphobic acts of violence.
In the spring they will be hosting their 19th Annual Charity Drag Show. The Drag Show is a fixture in many IWU students’ lives, and if you haven’t gotten the chance to attend yet you should be sure to mark your calendars for this year.
The show will be raising money, “to install more gender neutral restrooms on campus,” according to Hills. And a new event will be coming to Wesleyan for the first time this year as Pride Alliance will be hosting a Prom this April.
Dean of Students, Prince Young was also in attendance, and spoke to those attending as well as Sharla Brown-Ajayi the interim Director of Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Both emphasized the important work that Pride Alliance is doing on campus.
Mo: “Up next: We will be hosting an event in November for Transgender Day of Remembrance to honor the memory of the transgender individuals whose lives were taken away during transphobic acts of violence. For the spring we plan to have our 19th Annual Charity Drag Show to raise funds to install more gender neutral restrooms on campus, and for the first time ever Pride Alliance will host a Prom in April!
It’s a fun time being on the executive board. I’m grateful to have amazing people beside me. I’ve been Vice President for two years now and I love the change we’re implementing and the space we’re creating on this campus. I just hope that this progress we’re making continues after I graduate.”