But to preveterinary sophomore Ryan Hoek , Saturday’s Pride Week festivities meant more than a chance to showcase pride — it was meant to inspire friendship and encourage acceptance.
“We don’t put events on like this to showboat around that we’re a part of the LGBT community, but to show that we’re people too,” Hoek said. “We want everyone to kind of interact together as a whole. ... We want to be a giant pot of gumbo.”
Students joined together Saturday in the courtyard of the Student Services Building for an event cal led “Speed Dating, Picnic & Gaymes,” with pun intended, music education junior Emily Pelky said.
Pelky, who is the president of West Circle People Respecting Individuality, Diversity and Equality, or PRIDE, organized the event with biomedical laboratory operations freshman Katrine Weismantle , the president of the East Neighborhood Queer and Allied Caucus.
MSU has hosted the event biannually — once during Welcome Week and once during Pride Week — since 2001, Pelky said.
However, Saturday’s activities carried a bit of a twist compared to past pride celebrations, with the addition of speed dating into the mix.
“This year we decided to shake it up a little bit, incorporating a speed dating element, which will be more along the lines of befriending just for giggles,” Pelky said.
Music education freshman Colleen Morence said the event gives students an atmosphere to feel included.
Along with speed dating, or “speed friending” as the group preferred, the event had bocce ball, croquet, badminton, volleyball, hula hoops and plenty of food.
Weismantle said the event, along with Pride Week in general, is a way to spread awareness of the work done by LGBT groups on campus.
“There’s so many things that we do, and the students just don’t know what’s going on,” she said.
Pelky stressed that all LGBT and Pride Week events and meetings are open to all students.
“It’s important for everyone to know that allies ar e always welcome at Pride events,” Pelky said. “You don’t have to be LGBT-identified to show up and have fun with us.”
MSU’s Pride Week events will continue through April 18 .
