Wits Pride 2017: 21-27 August - Join the #OppressionDenied movement
Wits Pride runs from 21 August to 26 August 2017. The programme is filled with a great line-up of items – something for everyone!
Wits Pride takes place across Wits University. This is an annual week-long event which aims to not only raise awareness of LGBTIAQ+* issues, but, equally importantly, to celebrate the diversity of LGBTIAQ+ people at Wits and beyond. Wits Pride is hosted by the Transformation and Employment Equity Office, in partnership with a number of organisations and departments within and outside of the University.
The theme for this year is Oppression Denied. People who identify as LGBTIAQ+ often face multiple forms of intersecting oppressions and do not feel safe. Pride brings together multiple generations of people who are united in supporting the LGBTIAQ+ community through claiming back spaces which privilege heterosexual and cisgender people. The Pride programme combines a series of initiatives which are educative and interactive in nature.
Programme -
21 August – 25 August: Information tables – Every week day from 21 August – 25 August from 12:00 – 14:00, a table will be staffed by Safe Zones@Wits Allies who are distributing dental dams, condoms, lube and information brochures on LGBTIAQ+ identities.
Mon 21 August – Faculty of Health Sciences Campus: Canteen
Tues 22 August - School of Education Campus: Harold Holmes Walkway
Wed 23 August –West Campus: Amic Deck
Thurs 24 August – East Campus: Umthombo Walkway
Fri 25 August – East Campus: ID Marcone Piazza
21 August: Queer Wedding – 13:15 – 14:00 at the ID Marcone Piazza. The Queer Wedding is the ultimate 2017 wedding on the calendar. Join us to celebrate the ‘marriage’ of queer couples on the ID Marcone Piazza.
21 August: Out@Work – From 17:00 – 20:00 in Senate Room – Out@Work is a seminar delivered by LGBTIAQ+ people in banking, telecommunications, and IT. All scholars and students are invited to learn lessons from industry leaders on how best to support LGBTIAQ+ people in the workplace. Speakers include Kyle Smith, Katharine White and Kally Mabe.
22 August: Safe Zones@Wits Ally Training – Safe Zones@Wits Ally trainers will conduct a workshop for trainee Safe Zones@Wits Allies – come to this free training to learn more about LGBTIAQ+ identities and how to support LGBTIAQ+ people around you. To sign up, contact tish.lumos@wits.ac.za
23 August: Academic Symposium – 13:00 – 16:00 in Senate Room. Join Wits academics to learn about LGBTIAQ+ research which is changing spaces across our context.
24 August: Workshop on disability and LGBTIAQ+ identities – from 13:00 – 14:00 in Wits Disability Rights Unit Training Venue - Wits Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Programme Coordinator Mx Tish Lumos will conduct a workshop on how to pursue inclusivity for disabled LGBTIAQ+ people.
24 August: Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action youth forum – 16:00 – 18:00 at GALA offices - 7th Floor, University Corner. This is a safe space to meet like-minded LGBTIAQ+ people.
25 August: Pride March - 13:15 - 14:00 at the Great Hall Stairs/Piazza. Join the biggest supportive march on campus in support of LGBTIAQ+ people.
26 August: Drawing Marathon – from 08:00 – 20:00. The drawing marathon is a wonderful place for artists to explore unique and fun ways to draw. The marathon will be facilitated by Stacey Vorster. To join the drawing marathon, contact tish.lumos@wits.ac.za
26 August: Toilet tag competition – runs from 20-26 August. Did you know Wits has 34 gender neutral toilet facilities? Tag us on Instagram @WitsPride in your gender neutral toilet selfie and your pic could win you a Kindle! Competition closes 26 August at 16:00. The image with the most favourites wins.
For more information, do contact Mx Tish Lumos: 083 947 8853 / 011 717 1456/ 9154 / tish.lumos@wits.ac.za