Since Pride Month occurs in June, after most students have left campus for summer vacation, Mosaic celebrates Pride early as a week-long slate of events in April.
Pride Week is back this year with the theme “Existing, Persisting, & Shining” from April 21 to 25. This year’s Pride Week is sponsored by the WEST program and UCCS Alumni and Friends, according to Mosaic Coordinator Rafael Norwood.
Students who attend Pride Week events will be given a charm bracelet, with the opportunity to collect a new charm at each of the 14 events. Many events will provide food and beverages, and Mosaic resources will be available at all events.
“Pride Week is a week-long series of events designated to celebrate, build community and provide education on the LGBTQ+ community,” Norwood said. “There’s a space for everyone depending on their level of engagement … It’s also something for folks who are maybe not familiar with some of these topics to dive [in].”
Monday, April 21
Pride in Practice Allyship Dialogue Circle
To kick off Pride Week, the Pride in Practice Allyship Dialogue Circle event will focus on making space for allies during Pride Week. “This event in particular is around how [allies can] participate, how [they are] practicing allyship,” Norwood said. This first event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Mosaic Lounge, and breakfast food will be available.
Intersectional Legacies – Crossroads of Asian American and Queer Identities
In continuation of Mosaic’s Intersectional Legacies series, the Crossroads of Asian American and Queer Identities event will welcome Sociology Professor Haruki Eda in hosting a film screening and discussion. Attendees will view the 2004 Chinese film “Saving Face” before moving into discussing thoughts on the film with Eda. The event will be in Cucharas Room 103 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and dumplings will be provided.
Mosaic Alumni Mixer with QSA
Students will have the opportunity to network with a panel of UCCS alumni at the Mosaic Alumni Mixer, in collaboration with Queer Student Alliance. Five to 10 alumni panelists will be in attendance to discuss the college experience and career preparation strategies over snacks. The mixer will be in the Mosaic Lounge from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 22
Gender Euphoria Resource Table
On Tuesday morning, Mosaic will be providing Gender Euphoria Resources, such as chest binding, tucking and period products. These resources are free to students and always available in Mosaic. The table will be open in the UC from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Power of Protest in Music – Turn Your Ideas Into Song
Music students will be joining Mosaic to spontaneously write songs based on student emotions. “Students who have ideas or emotions that folks can turn into song, music students will do that and potentially perform the song,” Norwood said. Students can drop in at the event from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Mosaic Lounge.
Carve with Pride – Linocut Art Social Campfire
Students can engage in art activism during the Carve with Pride event. Attendees will be invited to carve designs into linoleum slabs — the linocut technique — which will be stamped onto a community postcard. Students can craft their works from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the Academic Office fifth-floor patio, where food and drinks will be provided.
Wednesday, April 23
Pride Quest: Collective Gayming
The Staff and Faculty Pride Committee will join Mosaic for Wednesday’s first event, Pride Quest. This event allows students to “come, play games, find out more about these committees, but also, it’s a great opportunity for folks to ask questions or participate in Pike’s Peak Pride,” Norwood said. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mosaic Lounge, and snacks will be available.
TRANSformative Stories from Transgender & Nonbinary Leaders
Members from the MOTUS Theater — a company from Boulder, Colo. — will be sharing their TRANSformative Stories performance. The performance combines storytelling with performative techniques and music. According to MLC, the performance will address “hopes, dreams, and experiences of negotiating oppression and liberation.” Students are asked to register for the free performance through Eventbrite, which will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Kettle Creek.
Thursday, April 24
Pride in Service – Honoring LGBTQ+ Veteran Experiences
LGBTQ+ veterans will be discussing their experiences in the military during the Pride in Service panel. The event will provide insight into “everything from initial enrollment to their time in the military to life after,” Norwood said. The panel will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the MOSAIC Lounge, and students will be provided with breakfast.
Unwritten Verses of Pride – LGBTQ+ Poetry with Nico the Poet
Local poetry artist Nico the Poet will be joining Mosaic for a poetry workshop. Nico the Poet is an activist and poet well-known in the Colorado Springs community, who will lead lessons in crafting poetry. The workshop will be held in the Mosaic Lounge from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Art of Pride
The GOCA Project Space will be hosting The Art of Pride on Thursday evening. Colorado Springs Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius will speak at 5:30 p.m., and an ICONS pop-up concert will begin at 6:15 p.m. Art and activities will be available throughout the evening, with a DJ playing music. Food will be provided, and the GOCA space will be open to students from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, April 25
Manifesting Pride: A Queer Futurism Workshop
Partner organization PRISM Community Collective will join Mosaic for a vision board workshop. Students can learn about the resources PRISM has to offer, such as free mental health services and a community closet. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Mosaic Lounge, and students will be offered food.
Affirming Educator Celebration
In collaboration with the Safe at Schools Coalition through Inside Out Youth Services, Mosaic is hosting a celebration for educators who create LGBTQ+ affirming spaces through their classrooms. Both students and educators will be welcome to attend. Food will be provided at the event, which will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. The location will be made available to those who RSVP.
Pride Prom – The Fairy Ball
To conclude Pride Week, QTPOC Club and Mosaic are throwing Pride Prom, a fairytale-themed night of whimsy. Students are welcome to compete for judges in one of five ballroom categories: Knight in Shining Armor, Confident Queen, Fairytale Glam, Jester and Lipsync. Pride Prom will be held in Berger Hall from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and mocktails will be available.
The Art of Pride event flyer. Photo by Lillian Davis.