Pride Fest to be held by the Wilkes University GSA
The Wilkes University Gay-Straight Alliance will host its first Pride Fest in several decades on April 21 and April 22. The Pride Fest will be held over two days and consist of three events.
The start of the Pride Fest will take place on the Greenway on April 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be games, a bake sale, and a tie dye t-shirt event. Tables from local organizations such as The Rainbow Alliance, Wilkes University Health Services, Caring Communities, Equality PA, and the Wilkes GSA will be represented and have information tables for students to explore local services.
A Variety Show and Rain-Glow parade will be held on April 22. The Variety Show will start at 7:30 p.m. and the Rain-Glow parade will follow immediately after. The Variety Show will host an array of performances including slam poetry, stand-up comedy, musical performances, and performances by professional and amateur drag queen and kings. Prizes and snacks will also be offered. Glow sticks will be given to participants and audience of the Variety Show for the Rain-Glow parade. The parade will stretch across campus in a demonstration of pride.
Tickets for the Variety Show are $5 and will be sold in the SUB before Pride Fest or can be bought by contact Emily Zavada at [email protected]. All proceeds will benefit The Rainbow Alliance, a NEPA organization that provides education, support, and advocacy for LGBTQA individuals and families.
“Our main goal for the Pride Fest events are to spread awareness to the Wilkes community about LGBT issues and resources.” said Emily Zavada, student and lead organizer of Pride Fest. She hopes to get local organizations involved so students can be informed about what services are available.
“We also want to have fun while spreading information.” continued Zavada.
Any volunteers who would like to help with the supervising of Pride Fest activities are asked to contact either Dr. Helen Davis at [email protected] or Emily Zavada at [email protected]. Variety Show participants and bake sale goods for the Greenway Pride Fest event are also needed.
Gabby Glinski is a senior Communications Studies major, with concentrations in journalism and public relations. She joined the Beacon in 2014 as a photographer...
