Stony Brook University concluded its annual Pride Fest with the Pride Fest Block Party on April 30, bringing together students, faculty and staff in a celebration of LGBTQ identity, community and inclusion.
Held at the SAC Plaza, the event featured performances, music, interactive activities and informational outreach, marking the culmination of a weeklong series of events honoring the university’s LGBTQ communities.
Organized in partnership by LGBTQ* Services, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alliance and Student Engagement & Activities, the event featured carnival games, music, arts and crafts, giveaways and a drag performance. Highlights included T-shirt tie-dyeing, bracelet and hat decorating, rock painting, and information tables hosted by student organizations and campus departments.
While Pride Month is nationally recognized in June, Stony Brook’s celebration is held in April to allow students to participate before the academic year ends.
“The Pride Fest Block Party is meant to raise awareness for the LGBTQ community, and also to raise awareness for LGBTQ students on campus,” said Alex Sima, a graduate student in the School of Social Welfare and student staff member who helped coordinate the event. “We’re handing out goodie bags with stickers and pronoun pins, and raffling off T-shirts.”
Now in its third year, the Block Party has grown in size and visibility, drawing a large crowd of students, faculty and staff.
Thoren Giannuzzi, a senior majoring in chemical engineering and president of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT+) Alliance Club, has participated in the event since its inception. “It’s the event that we’re really glad the school got on board with,” they said. “I’m so proud of how big of an event it’s become, and I like how public it is, because we don’t get to be in school in June when Pride Month is usually celebrated.”
Giannuzzi emphasized the importance of creating visible, affirming spaces for LGBTQ* students. “Visibility is huge. Just having this nice, positive, safe space — I love that,” they said. “We’re giving out flags that people can take with them. Even if you’re an ally, having a flag in your room shows people they’re safe with you.”
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