Elon University’s Gender & LGBTQIA Center’s mission is to create an inclusive space for all, where people learn to “support, advocate, and educate around gender and LGBTQIA identities.”
More than a semester of hard work in planning and preparation, this mission came to life when GLC hosted its annual Fall Pride event Oct. 31 in McKinnon Hall in partnership with the Center for Leadership and WSOE 89.3.
Despite a last minute location change because of weather, members of the GLC were not concerned. Kate Campbell, a second year graduate student and the graduate apprentice, someone who takes on an apprenticeship role through the masters of higher education program, for the GLC said they were confident in their team’s abilities.
“There’s been a lot of challenges with this event that we didn’t necessarily anticipate, like the weather and it being so cold and so windy,” Campbell said, “I’m most proud of the team for working together to navigate those challenges.”
That spirit of collaboration extended beyond the GLC. Graduate apprentice for the Center for Leadership, Ellie MacMillan, said she was excited to be working alongside the GLC.
“We have such a great relationship, and it was so comfortable just walking in here,” MacMillan said. “I always feel accepted with my identity in the CFL and also the GLC, so I love that our offices have such a great partnership, and that we’re able to work together and support each other.”
From pumpkin painting to karaoke, the Halloween themed pride event featured various activities run by members of all organizations. Tables were set with trivia, prizes, ceramic pumpkins and food.
Junior Hank Heimlich hangs for 100 seconds while answering questions from the Big Muscle Big Hearts tabling activity at the GLC’s Fall Pride on Oct. 31 in McKinnon Hall.
Campbell said they had hoped attendees would embrace the Halloween theme.
For GLC events coordinator and Elon junior Maverick Powell the pumpkin painting table was a personal favorite.
“I always volunteer to do the painting because I love painting, and I also love seeing some people come and pull up in their costumes,” Powell said.
But for her, the event’s meaning goes deeper.
“I really want to be able to have a safe space on campus for other people to have fun and be comfortable with themselves,” Powell said. “Talk to other people, and learn more about other people around them, and be able to celebrate their identities.”
That message resonated with attendees like Talya Schube, who discovered this event through the GLC Instagram account. Dressed up as Wednesday Addams, Schube said she came for the Halloween festivities and stayed for the atmosphere.
“The trivia was really fun, and I love a good wheel,” Schube said.
The trivia table, filled with questions about queer pop culture icons, offered a playful way for students to learn about LGBTQ+ representation in media. Alongside the games were pins with quotes from famous queer people, something Schube and her friends loved looking through.
WSOE representative and freshman Isabel Schupp, said she is ready to see more events like Fall Pride on campus.
“Everybody really needs a place to come together when they’re part of this spectrum,” Schupp said. “It really gives people a space to feel welcome.”
Campbell said they see Fall Pride as one of many ways to prompt more conversations about inclusivity on Elon’s campus. They said they hope that by the end of the event, more people would love to see or even create events catered toward the LGBTQ+ community.
“I hope that they one, build a community, but also feel like individually, they can express themselves however they want to,” Campbell said.