Pride Month, which recognizes and honors the diverse experiences and identities of the LGBTQIA+ community, is celebrated each year throughout June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots that took place in Manhattan. That event marked a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.
“Increasing representation and visibility are both extremely important in making sure everyone at Hamilton feels welcomed,” said Dylan Badillo ’23, chair of Hamilton’s Gender & Sexuality Union. “Being able to work with others as part of the Pride Month Committee was a needed breath of fresh air and made it clear that our community is moving forward in trying to be as inclusive as possible.”
Weekly “Pride in the Park” events throughout June featured different caterers each week, while “Paint-Your-Pride” activities gave participants the chance to use canvas and colorful paint to express what pride represents for them.
Another highlight of the celebration was an open conversation with advocate and civil rights attorney Mary Bonauto ’83. In 2015, she successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in the historic case Obergefell v. Hodges, establishing for same-sex couples the freedom to marry. Bonauto highlighted her formative experience at Hamilton and her subsequent advocacy work and career.
Other events throughout the month included a virtual LGBTQIA+ Bingo Night, Pride trivia in Sadove Student Center, a catered New York City Pride Parade watch party, and a movie screening.
“Being able to capture the feeling and energy of Pride is important,” said DMC Student Ambassador Carlo Benavides ’23, who prepared this compilation of photos taken throughout the month.
Hamilton’s Pride Month Committee included Assistant Director of Community Standards Dayna Campbell, Residential Life Area Director Neil Butler, Raymond Ngai ’24, Dylan Badillo ’23, Alex Medina ’22, Carlo Benavides ’23, DMC director Paola Lopez, and DMC graduate assistant Madison McQueeny.
