Celebrating Pride at Yale SOM—without Exception
The Office of Inclusion and Diversity shares how Yale SOM celebrated the LGBTQ+ community during April while students were still on campus—and what’s planned for June.
This June, Yale SOM joins in the global celebration of Pride to honor the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals, while acknowledging the work ahead to ensure safety and freedom for all. Our efforts focus on celebrating progress, inclusion, and authenticity, and honoring the resiliency of this community amid the ongoing fight for human rights. We stand by the national U.S. Pride ’23 theme—to pursue freedom, joy, and pride, all “without exception”.
Yale’s community began its celebration of Pride with a dedicated week of activities in April while student life was still buzzing, and the celebrations will continue throughout June. SOM’s celebration has been focused on amplifying LGBTQ+ voices in our community and beyond. During the school’s Pride Week, the student Out of Office affinity group presented an impactful schedule of programming for their members and allies across the university, including discussions on gender and sexuality spectrums, an exploration of the paradox of queer leadership, and a fireside chat with Amber Hikes of the ACLU. In addition to educational initiatives, students hosted dance parties and social events to bring the community together in celebration.
The Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID) provided opportunities for additional reflection and celebration. Community members gathered to learn more about the history of the LGBTQ community in the United States with a screening of Cured, a documentary illuminating the campaign that led the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses. Award-winning filmmaker Patrick Sammon joined community members to share their perspective. OID and Out of Office cosponsored a lively book table during the lunch hour in Evans Hall, providing books, resources, and stickers focused on the LGBT movement, including fictional stories, photography books, and resources for parent figures. During the month of April, the digital walls on campus highlighted the unique stories of prominent LGBTQ+ changemakers across the globe.
Yale’s Office of LGBT Resources offers safe spaces for the queer community and fun ways for staff, faculty, and students to participate in the celebration throughout June. Happy Pride!
Learn more about our commitment to inclusion and how diversity is celebrated at SOM.
