Pride Center Annual Events

Celebrate Bisexuality Day (also called Bisexual Pride Day, Bi Visibility Day, CBD, and Bisexuality+ Day) is observed annually on September 23 to recognize and celebrate bisexual people, the bisexual community, and the history of bisexuality. While the bisexual+ community is the largest affinity group under the queer umbrella, they often experience heightened forms of discrimination such as hostility and violence due to biphobia that exists within queer, straight, and cisgender spaces.

LGBTQ+ History Month is an annual month-long observance in October for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It was founded in 1994 by Missouri high-school teacher Rodney Wilson. LGBTQ+ History Month provides role models, builds community, and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. During this month of events, we acknowledge International Pronouns Day, Asexual Awareness Week, Spirit Day, Intersex Awareness Day, and National Coming Out Day. 

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, who are people who have served in the United States Armed Forces (that were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable). Transgender individuals are between 2-5 times more likely to serve in the military than their cisgender (non-trans) counterparts, primarily due to the provision of both financial security and a sense of belonging to a community. These reasons contribute to the belief that the United States Armed Forces is one of the largest, if not the largest, employer of transgender Americans.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), has been observed annually (from its inception) on November 20 as a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. It is a day to draw attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people. Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 by a small group including Gwendolyn Ann Smith to memorialize the murder of transgender woman Rita Hester in Allston, Massachusetts.

Transgender Day of Visibility (also called TDOV) is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. The day was founded by transgender activist Rachel Crandall of Michigan in 2009 as a reaction to the lack of LGBT recognition of transgender people, citing the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day was the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Held during the first full week of April, Pride Week is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters most LGBTQ+ rights movements. During this week, Virginia Tech hosts a number of resources that support LGBTQ+ students’ physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing such as free haircuts, legal name change assistance, STI testing, etc. 

Lavender Achievement Ceremony, held after finals week, presents LGBTQ+ Hokies and allies the opportunity to be acknowledged as their full authentic selves and celebrated for their academic accomplishments during their time at Virginia Tech. The first Lavender Graduation Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish Lesbian, who was denied the opportunity to attend the graduations of her biological children because of her sexual orientation. Traditions such as commencement can be sites of stress for LGBTQ+ individuals as they navigate the complexity of their outness in regards to the associated financial and social risks. Our Lavender Achievement Ceremony consists of an inspiring keynote by an LGBTQ+ leader and/or VT alumni, the presentation of a lavender chord to each graduate, and verbal recognition and celebration of those whose social and financial precarity restricts their ability to be authentically recognized by their families, friends, and institution.