Be Who You Are: Celebrating Pride Month in the City of Chicago with UIC

Melah Lofton | Posted on June 06, 2024
uic pride

With a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at the core of our institution, UIC Law is proud to help celebrate Pride Month! The roots of Pride Month can be traced back to the 1969 Stonewall Riots that began on June 28, 1969. The first Pride marches took place one year after the riots in 1970. Used as a means of commemorating the multi-day riots, these marches eventually evolved into a month-long celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride.

UIC Law, and the University of Illinois System as a whole, recognizes that our diverse community of students, faculty, and staff are integral in the expression of various ideas and perspectives. Creating safe spaces, programming, and providing resources that educate and celebrate the multitude of identities and backgrounds that make up our institution are not only important, but necessary.

In this spirit of celebration, we have compiled a list of resources and events catered to the LGBTQIA+ community taking place on campus and throughout the city of Chicago in the month of June. Read below to find ways you can become more educated and celebrate Pride!

UIC Campus Resources

  • The Chancellors Committee on the Status of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer People – an advisory body dedicated to promoting the academic, professional, cultural and social welfare of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as developing, initiating and managing programs that further address the comprehensive concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • The UIC Counseling Center – a space dedicated to providing mental health services to all students. The center currently offers two therapy groups specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community: one dedicated to those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning and another dedicated to those who identify as Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive.
  • The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) – a cultural center dedicated to serving UIC’s LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff. Through the production, curation, and preservation of intersectional LGBTQIA+ culture, the center aims to provide critical thinking, learning, and action on campus and beyond.
  • UI Health Inclusive Care – a branch of the University of Illinois healthcare system dedicated to offering accessible and affirming healthcare and advocating for systemic changes within our health system to help eliminate the health disparities that LGBTQIA+ patients face.
  • UIC law Pro Bono Clinic – a legal clinic dedicated to providing free access to legal services. Attorneys andf law students are available to assist LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, staff, and community members prepare name change and identification documents, as well as represent them in court.

UIC Related Events

  • UIC Pride Picnic: June 11, 2024 from 12pm-2pm at the Behavioral Science Building Gazebo
  • IMD Pride Committee “Out at the Office” Panel Discussion: June 12, 2024 from 11:30am-1:00pm at the Jessee Brown VA Medical Center
  • LIT PLAY LAB: a new play development series designed to amplify new theatrical works by professional LGBTQIA+ artists. Produced by UIC Associate Professor Bonnie Metzgar and Francisco Rodriguez (class of 2024). Performances include:
    • THE LEADS by Jesse Morgan Young and Matthew Sherbach: June 15 and 16 at 2pm
    • ESTRELLAZO by Nelson Rodriguez co-presented with Subtext Studios: June 20 at 7pm
    • JUMP THE SHARK by Bonnie Metzgar: June 22 at 2pm
    • WE COULD BE THE FUTURE OF SEX ED by Dionne Adai: June 22 at 2pm
  • The 5th Symposium for LGBTQ Studies & Music Education: June 24-26, 2024 at the UIC School of Theatre and Music

Chicagoland Area Events