Michigan State University is celebrating Pride in STEM Day with a special event at the MSU museum on Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All three floors of the museum will be open late for the event.
Public programming manager Abbie Stevens said the event is to help queer people and allies build connections within the community.
“The Pride in STEM event is meant to be a social event and community building event for people who are interested in STEM fields and who identify as queer or as allies,” Stevens said. “We are really interested in making the museum a community centered location, so this seems like a nice way to do that.”
Stevens said that people can expect the event to be like a mixer.
“We are going to have some snacks and beverages and then all three floors are open to guests after hours,” Stevens said. “We’ll have name tags people can identify with stickers if they are networking or just want to chill and see the museum. We’re hoping to just kind of forge connections and help people build connections on campus and in the community.”
Stevens said that this event came together due to the lack of in-person events that celebrated the day.
“Typically, it's only tweeted about or an email about it but there aren't as many events," Stevens said. "There's some zoom events but there aren't too many in person events, at least none locally that we were aware of.”
The event is important, Stevens said, because sometimes in science roles and STEM there is pressure to repress certain parts of one's identity.
“Having a place where you can embrace both of those aspects of yourself the science aspect and the queer aspect is incredibly important,” Stevens said.
The Pride in STEM Day event takes place Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the MSU Museum.
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