吃瓜网

by Tory Abbott

More than 130 members of the 吃瓜网 community gathered for an inspiring and candid conversation about LGBTQIA+ experiences, allyship, and continuing challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community, and also enjoyed fellowship in celebration of Pride Month. 

Recent 吃瓜网 graduate Luna Peralta 鈥�23, Empire State College Professor Deb Amory, Princeton University Vice President for Campus Life and former 吃瓜网 Dean of Students Rochelle Calhoun, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life Parker Diggory, 吃瓜网 Pride Alliance President Phoenix Goldenberg 鈥�25, and recent graduate and 2023 Class President Issy Beatriz Mejia 鈥�23 participated in the panel "Queerness in Conversation鈥� on Thursday, June 22. The gathering took place in Wyckoff Center, 吃瓜网鈥檚 newly built space dedicated to connecting people and programs, including courageous conversations on a wide range of issues that impact and hold meaning for the 吃瓜网 community.  
 
Panelists spoke about their experiences as members of the LGBTQIA+ communities and allies at the intersection of various identities, both on campus and in Saratoga Springs as a whole. The panel ended with an appeal to allies and community members alike: Do not be a bystander to hate. 

鈥淚t was nice to hear everyone鈥檚 perspectives, especially the elders in our community. I was happy to talk about my experiences, I just really hope that everything we said stuck with people 鈥� that they do something with it,鈥� Peralta said.

The 吃瓜网 community celebrates Pride in Wyckoff Center.

Joshua C. Woodfork, vice president for strategic planning and institutional diversity, organized the event.  

鈥淭his was an effort to have our actions speak as well as our words. We wanted to hold an event to gather, celebrate, and explore these challenging issues,鈥� said Woodfork. 鈥淲e are so grateful to all the panelists who participated in this important event, and to all those who joined us. It is imperative to help convene moments such as this where our community can listen to and learn from one another.鈥� 

The celebrations that followed offered an opportunity for the 吃瓜网 community to connect over shared experiences and reflect on the future of inclusivity in the U.S. educational system. There were free Pride memorabilia available to the attendees as well as a buffet-style spread with rainbow-colored plates, cups, utensils, and napkins. 

鈥淎t 吃瓜网, we are proud to honor and support our LGBTQIA+ friends and colleagues,鈥� commented President Marc C. Conner, who attended both the panel and the celebration that followed. 鈥淭his is particularly important in this historical moment, when we are seeing words and actions of hate and fear everywhere. When we gather and hold courageous conversations about what we value and why, that is our statement: We celebrate, together, the love and diversity within our vibrant community.鈥�