LGBTQ+ Events

An event designed for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities to come together to celebrate, make new friends, learn about resources, and get connected with the LGBTQ+  Coordinator.

Trans Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on November 20th, originally held to honor Rita Hester who was murdered on November 28, 1998 and whose vigil was held the following year. It has since been held to honor the memory of those who lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence and hate. In 2015, Trans Day of Resilience was coined by BreakOUT, and celebrates trans lives while simultaneously recognizing the disproportionate rate of which trans communities of color, specifically trans women of color, are targeted in violent attacks. Trans Day of Resilience focuses on how trans communities resist violence and fight for survival. The LGBTQ+ Resource Center has held a variety of programming on and around TDORR. 

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to walk in the Pikes Peak Pride Parade to represent the UCCS community! At the pre-party, the community gathers for food, games, dancing, giveaways, and time to connect in a relaxed environment. Hosted in collaboration with Staff and Faculty Pride Council and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Commemorating the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, the first observed National Coming Out Day in 1988 served as a reminder that one of the most basic forms of activism is the power of coming out and living life authentically. All members of the community are encouraged to attend this annual event on October 11th to connect, join LGBTQ+ organizations, learn about community resources, and enjoy food, games, dancing, and activities.

Drag is defined as dressing or performing in a style typically associated with another gender through various forms of expression such as costume and/or performance. Drag artists focus on the art of queering gender performance. Attendees of the annual drag show can expect both seasoned professionals and budding student artists performances.

The FAM Celebration is a cultural celebration that recognizes inclusive community advocates and acknowledges their achievements and contributions to the wellbeing of the university. In collaboration with International Affairs and Pre-Collegiate, it is a space for students to share their hopes and dreams with one another and be officially recognized by UCCS for their leadership and achievement. Stoles and cords are provided to students who have demonstrated active involvement in the following areas: identify as first-generation student (lime-green cord), pre-collegiate student (pre-collegiate stole), study abroad or international student (green and blue cord), M.O.S.A.I.C involvement (orange stole), and LGBTQ+ Resource Center involvement (lavender stole). For more information on the M.O.S.A.I.C and LGBTQ+ stoles, visit https://mosaic.uccs.edu/multicultural-and-lavender-graduation-stoles

Each year on March 31, Trans Day of Visibility honors and celebrates the lives of transgender and non-binary people around the globe and acknowledges the courage it takes to live openly and authentically. The event honors the joy and resilience of transgender people everyone and for their unique voices and identities to be elevated and celebrated. The event has varied to include speakers, panels, film discussions, and more.  

World AIDS Day takes place on December 1st each year. It is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. The global health day was founded in 1988. During this event, Southern Colorado Health Network provides free HIV/STI testing at the Wellness Center.

Pride Week at UCCS takes place on the last week of April and provides an opportunity to the campus community to celebrate Pride within the academic year since Pride Month is in June. The week is full of different events and past events have included: Pride Prom, Pride Picnic, Queer Authorship, and Queer Elders Storytime.