Student Life Multicultural Center to host Pride Brunch June 17

Meron Desta
Wed, 01 Jun 2022 23:25:34 +0000
Arts & Life, Events, Instagram Page, arts, arts and life, Columbus, columbus event, event, june, ohio state, Ohio State event, osu, pride, pride brunch, pride month, Pride Parade, Stonewall, Stonewall Columbus, stonewall columbus pride festival

Ohio State students supporting the LGBTQ community, will continue to do so at Pride Brunch June 17. Credit: Ari Grubaugh | For the Lantern

The Student Life Multicultural Center is hosting its first free Pride Brunch in celebration of Columbus’ LGBTQ Pride Parade June 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Cartoon Room of the Ohio Union.?

Students can connect and celebrate with over 100 allies and other members of the Ohio State LGBTQ community during the brunch, Ari Grubaugh, interim intercultural specialist for LGBTQ Student Initiative, said. The social event will include students, faculty, staff and university leadership, Grubaugh said.?

“The Pride Brunch is a celebration of the pride parade and march,” Grubaugh said. “Anyone who is an ally of the LGBTQ community in the university is invited,”?

Members from The Ohio State Alumni Association and Scarlet and Gay LGBTQ Alumni Society will attend along with other pride partners at the Wexner Medical Center, the College of Social Work and a variety of different university affiliates, Grubaugh said.

A custom buffet of eggs, sausage, bacon, sandwiches, fruit and salad will be served at the event alongside coffee, tea and Coke beverages, Grubaugh said.?

Kristina Toliver, a member of the Scarlet and Gay alumni society, said she wants to promote the celebration of Pride month within the Ohio State community.

“We are trying to encourage people to participate and celebrate with the Ohio State group,” Toliver said.

Stonewall Columbus has historically organized brunches on the Sunday after the march, Grubaugh said.?

“I decided it would be very fun to keep the idea of a brunch and although it is new for the university, it is not a new idea for Columbus,” Grubaugh said.

The Student Life Multicultural Center is in the process of choosing speakers to present at the brunch, and over 100 people are registered for the event, Grubaugh said.?

Various offices across campus are helping with the Pride Brunch by spreading news of the event to university faculty and students and celebrating the importance of pride historically and to the LGBTQ ccommunity.?

Students can gather at the Pride Brunch and mingle with alumni while forming connections with various members of the community, Grubaugh said.

“A lot of our LGBTQ students may be wondering if they have any allies on campus or how many people really care,” Grubaugh said. “I hope that students can walk into the space and realize that they do have allies all across the university if they need support and just to know that there are others like them.”?

Grubaugh said students who plan on attending the Pride Brunch and/or march June 18 can register online.