Just as diversity continues to grow on Brock’s campus, so does the list of events scheduled to celebrate inclusivity during the University’s LGBTQ+ Pride Week.

Brock Pride Week will take place Monday, March 4 to Friday, March 8, with an additional event stretching the festivities to Friday, March 15.

The wide array of Pride Week offerings includes educational, informative and entertaining events that strive to engage the entire Brock community.

“We recognize, in terms of Pride Week events, all communities are diverse within themselves, so we’ve been trying to have events that would meet a number of people’s interests in searching for community and discussion, as well as providing education to people who simply want to find out more,” said Leela MadhavaRau, Director of Brock’s Office of Human Rights and Equity.

While Pride Week is traditionally observed in June, the decision was previously made to host a second week of events earlier in the year when more students are on campus. A June celebration still takes place at the University.

MadhavaRau is hopeful the March Pride Week events spark conversations about inclusivity that continue throughout the year on campus.

She encouraged people to attend at least one event in the lineup, even if it’s something they might not know much about.

“You can go to be a part of a community, but you can also go to learn,” she said. “We all have to take advantage of learning opportunities, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone for a brief moment.”

All events are open for everyone to attend.

An official launch for LGBTQ+ Pride Week will take place Monday, March 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Market Hall.

People are encouraged to share photos of various Brock Pride events online using the hashtag #BrockUPride

Brock Pride Week events

Monday, March 4

Brock LGBTQ+ Pride Week Launch
The Brock community will come together for cake and conversation during the kickoff to a week of celebration and activism. Learn about exciting updates on the All-Gender Washrooms and Trans-Inclusion projects as well as the launch of a LGBTQ+ Residence Living and Learning Community.
Sponsored by Brock’s Human Rights and Equity Office, this free event is held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Market Hall. All are welcome to attend.
More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Karen B. K. Chan — Live the Future Now: Consent Culture is Our Revolution
True consent culture isn’t a series of permission-seeking questions; it is a reality where everyone matters. It fully humanizes people and that naturally brings about not only safety and wellness, but also pleasure, fun and good times. In order to get there, we have to re-humanize people that have systemically been diminished, including ourselves. We have to heal the divides and actually talk to each other.  Join us in this interactive workshop for skills to do all that, and to amplify that hopeful vision.
Sponsored by Sociology, Women’s and Gender Studies and the Women’s Campus Safety Grant, this free event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in Thistle 244.
More information is available on Chan’s website and the event’s Facebook page.

Tuesday, March 5

Meet and Greet Social hosted by the President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization (PACHRED) LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
All Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty and their allies are welcome to this free social, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the upper level of Isaac’s Bar and Grill. Snacks and refreshments will be provided with remarks also offered by group convenor Tamara El-Hoss. The social is followed by an optional meeting from 1 to 2 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the PACHRED LGBTQ+ Affinity Group.
More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

The History of Pride: Riots and Revolutions
Student activists will lead a discussion on the history of pride to commemorate Marsha P. Johnson and other LGBTQ+ activists who are washed away in the corporate rainbows and glitter.
Sponsored by OPIRG Brock, this free event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Student Justice Centre (TH 252). All are welcome to attend.
More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Wednesday, March 6

Brock Pride (Brock University Students’ Union club) Meeting
Brock Pride is the official Brock University club devoted to creating a safe, social environment for students of diverse gender and sexual identities. The theme of this meeting is intersectionality.
Sponsored by the Brock Pride BUSU student club, this free event takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. in Welch Hall 327.
More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Thursday, March 7

Pride Ga(y)mes Night
Join residence dons for a fun evening of bingo, Family Feud and forum theatre all focused around LGBTQ+ awareness and facts.
Sponsored by residence education dons, the free event takes place from 10 to 11:30 p.m. in Thistle 256, 257 and 258.
More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Friday, March 8

Trans 101 Training
The workshop is an introduction to some basic concepts and etiquette when relating with members of transgender communities in Canada. All are welcome to learn about trans identities in a safe space. Trans people often feel unwelcome in academic settings, so providing knowledge is key to creating equal opportunities.
The free event is sponsored by the Student Justice Centre (TH 252), where the event will also be held from noon to 1 p.m.
More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Two-Spirit Panel
A Two-Spirit celebration will be presented by he Indigenous Solidarity Coalition at Brock. The event will feature three speakers sharing their experiences as Two-Spirit individuals, while also discussing the role of the community and teachings of their ancestors.
All are welcome to attend the free event, which will be held in Sankey Chamber (Mackenzie Chown A-Block) from 2 to 4 p.m. Food and refreshments are included.
The event is sponsored by Indigenous Solidarity Coalition, CUPE 4207 and the CUPE 4207 Equity Committee.
More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Vivek Shraya and Queer Songbook Orchestra
Celebrate International Women’s Day and Brock Pride Week with an exclusive performance by Polaris Music Prize nominee Vivek Shraya and 12-piece chamber pop ensemble the Queer Songbook Orchestra (QSO).

Shraya is an artist whose body of work crosses the boundaries of music, literature, visual art and film. Her best-selling new book, I’m Afraid of Men, was heralded by Vanity Fair as “cultural rocket fuel,” and her album with Queer Songbook Orchestra, Part Time Woman, was included in CBC’s list of Best Canadian Albums of 2017. Vivek was a 2016 Pride Toronto Grand Marshal, and is currently a director on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation, an organization that fights for economic justice, health and representation for LGBTQ+ girls and women. She is an assistant professor of Creative Writing at the University of Calgary.

Toronto-based Queer Songbook Orchestra is dedicated to exploring and uplifting queer narrative through the lens of popular music, while reimagining the traditional concert experience. Formed in 2014, the QSO includes many of the top musicians in Canada from across the classical, pop and jazz spectrum. The group has performed all across Canada and has been featured at many of the countries top performing arts festivals.

The March 8 concert will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in downtown St. Catharines.

Tickets are $20 each, or $13 for students, and can be purchased through the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre website. To prevent cost from being a barrier, free tickets are also available by contacting Brock Human Rights and Equity Advisor Michelle Poirier at mpoirier@brocku.ca

The event is sponsored by Women’s and Gender Studies, Brock’s Human Rights and Equity Office and Women’s Campus Safety Grant. More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Wednesday, March 13

Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Living Learning Community Coffee House
Join the Department of Residence for refreshments and conversation surrounding creation of a Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Living Learning Community (LLC) in Residence.

Discussion about the new LLC, to be launched this September for first-year residence students, will take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Place in DeCew Residence. Members of the Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ student, faculty and staff communities, as well as their allies, are invited to the coffee house to provide ideas and feedback on how to ensure a safe and supportive living environment is created for incoming Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ first-year students.

The Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Living Learning Community will be open to incoming residence students who are interested in learning about sexual orientation and gender identity, with a focus on social justice for Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and asexual) persons and allies.  The LLC’s goal is to help ease the transition into the Residence community and provide students an environment where all residents feel celebrated and empowered.

Friday, March 15

Brock Pride presents a Drag Show
Brock Pride will host the group’s annual drag show, with a series of unforgettable performers.
Sponsored by the Brock Pride BUSU student club, the all-ages event takes place at Isaac’s Bar and Grill with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5. More information is available on the event’s Facebook page.

Thriving on Campus — LGBTQ+ Campus Climate Survey
Are you part of the Two-Spirit or LGBTQ+ communities? Are you an Ontario university student? Please participate in a survey open now until April 30. Participants have the chance to win more than 100 available prizes.
The survey is available online at tinyurl.com/ThrivingOnCampus and is sponsored by BUSU and Brock’s Human Rights and Equity Office in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier and McGill universities. 

For more information on any of the Brock Pride Week events or for accommodation requests, please contact 905-688-5550 x6859 or humanrights@brocku.ca

All events are accessible for persons who use mobility devices.