GAYPRIL @ The Claremont Colleges

By Hayley Van Allen

Are you a member of the LGBT* community at the 7C’s? Excited about GAYPRIL but overwhelmed by all the events? Looking for something to do in the last few weeks of the Spring Semester? Concerned because you’re not sure what GAYPRIL even is? Well look no further and worry no longer because we have put together a comprehensive overview of Gaypril #20gayteen here at the Claremont Colleges.

GAYPRIL is a month-long celebration headed by the Queer Resource Center (QRC) for the existence and history of diverse LGBT* individuals and communities on the 7C Campuses. Gaypril festivities began on Saturday, March 31st at Pomona College with the yearly tradition of painting Walker Wall rainbow to match the gay pride flag. A few more events have happened since then–including the Gaypril Drag Show on April 7th–but there are many more events to come.

The month will come to a close with the 2018 Lavender Graduation, an event celebrating LGBT* graduating seniors and graduate students. The ceremony will be held at Galileo McAlister on Thursday, April 26 from 6-8pm. The annual celebration is meant to bring visibility and acknowledgement of the unique experiences and challenges that LGBT* students experience in college.

The month is sure to be a success with such a wide variety of events planned. The fact that so much care and effort is put into celebrating the LGBT* community on campus is important in making the 7Cs feel like a home for those students. Whether you are a member of the LGBT* community yourself or an ally, there’s sure to be something fun for you to attend this GAYPRIL.

Check out some of the events happening this month:

Interested in attending queer-oriented parties? Attend one of these cool events!

Crystal Queer: A queer Scripps party on Friday, April 13 at 10pm held in the SCORE living room.

Community Bar-B-Queer: A BBQ at Walker Beach on Pomona Campus, from 2-4pm on Sunday, April 15th.

Queer Soirée: A replacement for the Queer Prom held in past years. Taking place on April 20th from 9pm-1am in Seal Court.

• • Looking for some queer-related things to do? Try these fun-filled activities!
    • Queer Hike: Meet for a late-morning hike on April 14th from 9:30am-1pm at the Outdoor Education Center on Pomona Campus.
    • Queering Ballroom Dance: Break down the gender-binary found in ballroom dancing at this discussion and lesson on ballroom dancing held at Edmunds Ballroom on April 17 from 7-9pm.
    • Queer Fashion Show: A fashion show starring members of the Claremont Colleges that will be held on April 21st from 2-4pm at Doms Lounge.

• Gaymer Night: Play video and board games at the last Gaymer Night of the semester on April 21st from 8-11pm at the QRC.

• QTPOC Karaoke: A karaoke night for queer/trans people of color on April 25th from 6-8pm at the QRC.

• • Trying to become more educated on queer issues? Attend one of these informational events!

• Diversity & Inclusion in Consulting Panel: A panel sharing their lived experience as individuals from an underrepresented background in the business world. Will be held at the Rose Hills Theatre from 2-3pm on April 13th.

• Queering Inclusive Healthcare: This talk given by a pharmacist on issues surrounding healthcare for queer people will be held at the QRC on April 16th from 6-8pm.

• Career Panel: A panel on coming and being out in the workplace held at the QRC on April 18th from 6-7:30pm.

• Desperate for more queer media?

• On April 13th, head over to the QRC at 8pm for a Queer Movie Night.

• Love RuPaul’s Drag Race and interested in finding more people to share your enthusiasm with? The QRC hosts weekly viewing parties at 8pm every Thursday through May 3rd.