Tech’s LGBTQIA+ Resource Center Supports Atlanta Pride Month Festivities

Pride Month celebrations began in Atlanta last June, marking 54 years since the first celebrations. The month-long commemoration began in June 1970, to mark the first anniversary of the violent police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. The raid resulted in the arrest of 14 people and several injuries, sparking an international movement for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies to demand equal rights and greater visibility.

The events at the Stonewall Inn are a powerful reminder of the progress made and ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. They represent the resilience and courage of those who stood up against oppression, paving the way for future generations to live more openly and authentically.

Since then, communities around the world have celebrated the event with vibrant marches, festivals and dances, honoring individual identities and raising awareness for LGBTQIA+ communities’ right to equal rights.

Georgia participated in the celebrations by hosting several events, including festivals in Augusta, Smyrna and Columbus. These festivals included speakers, artists and performances.

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Atlanta hosted a “Drag Me to Church” event centered around commemorating the Stonewall riots. The event also featured performances by Atlanta drag queens.

The Atlanta Pride Run took place on June 2. Through registration, local LGBTQIA+ organizations received funding and resources. Local HIV and AIDS charities also received support.

Tech also actively participated in Atlanta’s Pride Month celebrations. Hosted by the campus’ LGBTQIA+ Resource Center, the festivities kicked off with a partnership with the WNBA Atlanta Dream basketball team, which joined students and faculty for a lively Pride-themed evening.

The Smithgall Building hosted a Pride Month Kick-Off Breakfast, inviting students and staff to start the month with a sense of community and celebration. The event was well attended, with attendees enjoying a festive atmosphere.

The celebrations extended beyond campus with a special event at Six Flags Over Georgia. The “Ride for Pride” event offered students the opportunity to take part in a day of excitement and camaraderie.

In addition to these joyous celebrations, the Resource Center hosted a solemn moment of remembrance and organized a space on Instagram to honor the victims whose lives were tragically taken on June 12, 2015, at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The online tribute provided a space for community connection and reflection.

In light of the vibrant Pride Month celebrations, the role of a supportive environment such as the LGBTQIA+ Resource Centre becomes especially important.

Nilesh Chakraborty, a fifth-year AE student, works as a student assistant at the Resource Center. Through the Resource Center, they plan activities tailored to the needs and interests of the LGBTQIA+ community on campus.

“I work as a student assistant in programming and logistics. I plan and create events by listening to the community to see what they want,” Chakraborty shared.

In addition to providing a community, a place to vent and advisors to talk to, the resource center also supports students with practical services to help them feel like they belong on campus.

“We help students with practical steps like changing their name within the Georgia Tech system and provide them with resources to legally change their name,” Chakraborty said.

By creating a safe haven on campus, the resource center is able to offer students a place to feel supported.

“Honestly, I hardly heard of the Resource Center during my first year of college. I would say just come hang out with us. We have free coffee and tea and it’s a great place to make friends and study,” Chakraborty said. “It’s a very accepting place where you can be yourself without being judged. The Resource Center is there to provide support and resources, and you don’t have to express yourself in a particular way to be accepted.”

Pride month may be over, but the spirit of Pride lives on. The annual Atlanta Pride Weekend will take place in October, during which Chakraborty will host an annual fashion show through the Resource Center.