APIDA History Month & Pride Week 2023
April 4, 2023
April is an amazing month to celebrate diversity! April is Asian Pacific Islander and Desi American Heritage Month (APIDA). This year’s theme is Celebrating APIDA Voices. Dr. Nina Ha, Director of the Asian Cultural Engagement Center, in collaboration with campus partners and student organizations, have planned many educational and entertainment-based programs relevant to APIDA cultures. The full schedule of events can be found here: https://ccc.vt.edu/calendar/apidahm.html.
Pride Week is also celebrated April 3rd to April 7th. Dr. Bing, Director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center has organized a week-long series of engaging and educational programs. The full schedule of events can be found here: https://ccc.vt.edu/calendar/Pride_Week.html.
Dr. Bing has prepared a statement regarding Pride Week which is available here:
Given what it has become today, it may be difficult to remember that the colorful and joyful celebration we call “Pride” was born out of decades of harassment, oppression, and internalized shame. In the late 60s, queerness was still considered a mental illness by the American Psychological Association, masquerade laws were used to harass queer and trans people, and police constantly raided businesses, like the Stonewall Inn, that held space for the LGBTQ+ community. In some ways, we’ve not strayed far from these tumultuous “beginnings.” Today “don’t say gay” bills are being passed state by state, drag shows are being banned under the guise of protecting minors, and gender affirming healthcare is being painted as child abuse.
For these reasons and others, some might be finding it hard to find their joy this Pride Week. This, I believe, is why it is important to know our history and lean on it in these times. The first pride parade was about liberation, visibility, and community because through our connections, our community grows stronger and our fire burns brighter. So I invite you to join us this Pride Week, whether you’ve lost hope or just lost connection, to remember and celebrate the unbeatable spirit of the queer and trans community. Happy Pride!
I hope you will take a few moments to review the events online and join us as we celebrate diversity this April.
Happy APIDA Heritage Month and Happy Pride!