In the spirit of October as LGBTQ+ History Month, MOSAIC has planned a day-long retreat for students to learn about Pride history and activism, build community and discover more about themselves.
Pride Con will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 5. Students are expected to commit to the entire day.
Up to 50 participants can register for the free event until Sept. 29. The event is open to UCCS and local high school students aged 16 and up.
According to MOSAIC Support Programs Specialist Xuan Truong, Pride Con will be held in a convention format, like Comic Con. Activities will be taking place simultaneously throughout the day in MOSAIC, Kettle Creek and the Rec Center.
The Rec Center will host a convention hall featuring non-profit organizations, local advocacy groups and artists. Participants will be able to wander and network throughout the day, Truong said.
There will also be opportunities to win prizes for things like spirit wear and banner making contests. Participants will be offered free shirts.
Truong depicted Pride Con as a day of extensive opportunities including workshops, a convention hall and connecting with local community advocates and leaders.
“It really is an educational day, where students get to learn more about themselves, ways … to be allies and activists and build themselves personally,” Truong said.
Truong believes Pride Con is imperative to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community at UCCS as they deal with political resistance to the movement.
“When you look at the news and see Roe v. Wade, anti-queer and anti-trans movements in the South, anti-DEI movements in the South, stuff like us doing Pride Con very openly is to show that we’re still doing this despite everything,” she said. “It is incredibly important to keep that flame alive.”
Truong emphasized the importance of Pride Con being an all day, immersive retreat. “It’s a dedicated, full day where [participants] can really get to know each other, make friends, do some networking and learn a lot of new skills along the way,” she said.
Eboni Coleman, co-creator of Denver’s Black Pride, will be delivering the event’s keynote speech in Kettle Creek. Truong said that local advocates and student advisors will be facilitating workshops before and after Coleman’s speech.
Truong added that catering from small, LGBTQ+-owned businesses will be provided. There will be a variety of meal options to meet any dietary restrictions, and snacks and refreshments will be abundant throughout the event.
Pride Con is a part of MOSAIC’s annual retreat series. The event is the newest iteration of the fall retreat, following last year’s Queer Restoration Retreat and the Multicultural Retreat.
Students who attended last year’s retreat were invited back to be a part of a student advisory committee. “This student advisory committee is responsible for the name change, all of our workshops and people,” Truong said.
“This really came about because of student advocacy,” Truong said, emphasizing that Pride Con is meant to inspire connection between queer students and allies. “We’re in on this together, and you’re never going to be alone, even though it may seem like a lot [of negative change] is happening.”
Photo Courtesy of MOSAIC