Show UT pride at summer festivals

April 26, 2018 | UToday
By Kim Goodin



During her annual State of the University address April 18, President Sharon L. Gaber encouraged the UT community to celebrate its Rocket pride throughout the city and the state.

Faculty, staff, alumni and retirees have two key opportunities to help spread their Rocket pride and demonstrate UT’s commitment to its diversity initiatives during summer events in June and August.

“The University of Toledo has always had a strong presence at parades and festivals with our LGBTQA+ initiatives and our student organization, Prism,” said Dr. Willie L. McKether, vice president for diversity and inclusion and vice provost. “This year, we’re inviting departments, offices and individuals to help us increase University-wide support by attending various Ohio prides. We invite everyone in the UT community to join us, regardless of self-identification.”

UT participation is requested for:

• Columbus Pride Festival. One of the largest events of its kind in the Midwest, the Columbus Pride Festival welcomes more than 500,000 attendees annually. It is scheduled June 15-17 on Scioto Mile in Columbus, with a parade Saturday, June 16. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is sponsoring UT’s participation in the parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. A carpool from UT to Columbus is planned; more details are upcoming.

• Toledo Pride. Northwest Ohio’s largest LGBTQA+ celebration is scheduled Aug. 17 and 18 in downtown Toledo, with a parade slated at noon Saturday, Aug. 18. Members of the UT community are invited to represent the University at the parade, volunteer at several UT-focused tables, and provide giveaways.

“The tables are open for any department or office that would like to be at Toledo Pride to connect with the community,” McKether said. “We’re encouraging people to stay for two-hour intervals any time between noon and 7 p.m. on Saturday.”

For more information about UT’s participation in the Columbus Pride Festival or Toledo Pride, email danielle.stamper@utoledo.edu by June 1.

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