Posted on Monday, June 22, 2020
Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ and more (LGBTQ+) celebrate Pride Month in June, which holds significance in the United States because it honors and recognizes the Stonewall Riots that happened on June 28, 1969.
At Texas Southern University, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) develops programming and training, facilitates mentoring opportunities, and engages in outreach and advocacy efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. On Tuesday, June 23, at 3 p.m., ODEI will partner with TSU S.H.A.P.E. to host a discussion on Instagram Live about the history of Pride Month, the recent Supreme Court of the United States decision, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and the intersectional of being black/brown and LGBTQ+.
The celebration of Pride Month is important because as TSU strives to be an even more inclusive campus, it is essential to acknowledge and celebrate the various communities represented in the Tiger community. Roberto Regas serves as a coordinator with TSU’s ODEI. He said many Tiger community members identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
“It is important to celebrate all intersections that make up our Historically Black College University (HBCU),” said Regas. “Especially with our students who are socially conscious and active agents of change, understanding Pride Month provides a different opportunity to learn about activism and fighting for social change.”
TSU's ODEI is dedicated to engaging, empowering and educating students, faculty and staff to build a more inclusive, equitable and welcoming campus environment for all members of the TSU community.
“We are tasked to serve students who fall under ‘the Big 9’ of diversity, equity and inclusion: work, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, ability, age, sexuality, and socioeconomic status,” said Regas, “However, we serve the campus and community at large.”
As a new department, Regas wants ODEI to build partnerships with every department, unit and program on campus. Soon after being established, it began a partnership with TSU S.H.A.P.E. and their Y.E.S. Project, an initiative that offers free sexual, mental health and substance/drug use screenings at TSU and in the surrounding area.
“We connected early in ODEI's existence and have partnered on programming revolving around HIV awareness and sexual health,” said Regas.
The Instagram Live discussion will begin at 3 p.m. on June 23 and can be found on the TSU S.H.A.P.E. Instagram account @tsushape_yes. For more information about the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, follow it on all social media platforms (@odeitxsu) or email Regas at roberto.regas@tsu.edu.
Category: Faculty & Staff, Alumni, Students, News Media