June 11, 2024

Celebrating Pride Month

By Kirk Schulz, System President
Washington State University

During the month of June, we come together to recognize the contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) individuals throughout history as part of our national Pride Month celebrations. Originally intended to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Greenwich, Pride Month has become a widespread celebration of progress and ongoing efforts toward equity and acceptance throughout the country.

WSU is incredibly proud to be home to a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff from all walks of life who enrich our campus climate with their unique perspectives and lived experiences. This includes members of the LGBTQI+ community who have helped define what it means to be a Coug since our founding in 1890.

While society has certainly progressed since then, there have been significant setbacks in the protections afforded to LGBTQI+ individuals in recent years. As we seek to create a more inclusive society for all people, it’s essential that we continue to foster communities of belonging where Cougs care for Cougs regardless of the labels that seek to divide us.

This month, I encourage each of you to read up on the history of Pride, get involved with your local or campus-specific LGBTQI+ organization, and commit to uplifting one another whenever possible. It takes courage and it takes persistence to make the world a better place, but these are qualities that Cougs have in spades.

Happy Pride!