Pride Week 2019 - We Are Rising and Getting Stronger

On June 2001, 7 months before her death, Stonewall Uprising veteran, and transgender Latina activist, Sylvia Rivera delivered a talk at the (formerly known) Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center in New York City. Her talk told of the the night when the bar as Stonewall was raided. For many, this raid gave birth to the Gay Liberation Movement of the 1970s and 1980s that paved the way for LGBTQ+ social movements since then. During her talk, Rivera situated the night of the raids in social moevemnets for civil rights, women, and anti-war efforts, she reminded her audience of the freedom and liberation those at that time sought, and gave voice to the disenfranchisement many queer and trans youth still face.

The theme for this year’s Virginia Tech Pride Week 2019 honors the legacy of Sylvia Rivera and other trans women of color who were part of the Stonewall Uprising such as Marsha P. Johnson and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. In her talk, Rivera told her audience, “Times are changing. Our armies are rising and we are getting stronger.” Our theme will remind LGBTQ+ communities at Virginia Tech that we are strong, we are visible, and our history here at Virginia Tech and beyond can be a source of inspiration, strength, and resilience.

Pride Week 2019 graphic

Pride Week is a weeklong series of programs and events by the LGBTQ+ community at Virginia Tech. Throughout the week, we will have community-building events, educational events, films, and entertainment.

Visit ccc.vt.edu/prideweek for the most up-to-date calendar and event information. Follow LGBTQ+ at Virginia Tech on Facebook and Instagram!

Denim Day 40th Anniversary

Monday 4/1/19

Pride Week Keynote: Orange is the New Black’s Lea DeLaria

  • Time: 7 – 8 p.m.
  • Location: Colonial Hall, Squires Student Center

Tuesday 4/2/19

Denim Day 40th Commemoration: Stacks on Stacks with Anthony Hernandez

  • Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
  • Location: WUVT

14th Annual Queer in Appalachia presents Mamone of @QueerAppalachia

  • Time: 6L30 - 8 p.m.
  • Location: Colonial Hall, Squires Student Center
  • Reception to follow in LGBTQ+ Resource Center (Squires 227) from 8 - 9 p.m.
  • RSVP for this event.
  • For those who are interested, an Open Recovery Meeting will be held from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. in Squires 342. This space will be a processing space for attendees who might have questions based on the topics covered or want to talk about identity and recovery.

Wednesday 4/3/19

2nd Annual #LGBTQHokies Visbility Day

  • Time: All Day
  • Location: Virginia Tech
  • T-shirt pick-up April 1 - 2 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Squires 227 (LGBTQ+ Resource Center)

Film: Growing Up Trans

  • Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
  • Location: Haymarket Theatre, Squires Student Center
  • Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday 4/4/19

Denim Day 40th Commemoration Ex Lapide Welcome Reception

  • Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
  • Location: Holtzman Alumni Center, Grand Hall and Museum

Friday 4/5/19

Virginia Tech Denim Day 40th Anniversary Commemoration: #VTDenimDayDoOver

  • Time: 12:05 p.m.
  • Location: Drillfield

Denim Day 40th Anniversary Commemoration: Jeans Noticeably Absent: The Story of Denim Day 1979

  • Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
  • Location: Graduate Life Center

Denim Day 40th Anniversary Commemoration: Reception

  • Time: 9 p.m.
  • Location: GLC Multipurpose Room

Saturday 4/6/19

Denim Day 40th Anniversary Commemoration: NRV Sorta Formal

Sunday 4/7/19

World Premiere of "The Unlikely Story of the Lesbians of First Friday"

  • Time: 5 p.m.
  • Location: The Grandin Theatre, 1310 Grandin Road, Roanoke, VA 24015

Monday 4/8/19

Innagural Q*Creatives Summit

Moderated Lunch Discussion with Tommy Pico

as part of Inaugural Q*Creatives Summit 2019

  • Time: 12 - 1:30 p.m.
  • Location: Newman Library, Multipurpose Room (1st Floor)
  • Open to everyone. Please RSVP at the link to assist with food estimates. Non-summit attendees are welcomed.
  • RSVP for this event.

Tommy Pico Reading and Book Signing

  • Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
  • Location: Newman Library, Multipurpose Room

Pride Week Sponsors: LGBTQ+ Resource Center, HokiePRIDE Student Engagement and Campus Life, Virginia Tech Union (VTU), Cultural and Community Centers, LGBT Faculty and Staff Caucus, Department of Religion and Culture Appalachian tudies, Newman Library Diversity Council, Moss Arts Center, Women's Center, Women and Minority Artists Scholarship Lecture Series Fund, American Indian and Indigenious Community Center, English Department MFA Creative Writing Program, Native at VT, HokiePRIDE

Denim Day Partners: Virginia Tech Alumni Relations, the Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment, the Ex Lapide Alumni Society, HokiePride, the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Special Collections, the Department of History, the Division of Advancement, Student Affairs, the School of Performing Arts, the Town of Blacksburg, and the University Libraries.

Innagural Q*Creatives Summit Partners: LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Office for Retention, Diversity, and Inclusion - Graduate School, University Libraries