The Mount Allison Students’ Union has events planned to celebrate Pride Week from Sept. 21 to 25, beginning with a flag raising and Pride parade Monday and continuing with events throughout the week.
Will Stott, vice-president of external affairs for MASU, said Mount Allison holds Pride Week in September because students have returned to campus, including a new group of first-year students.
“Students are just coming back on campus and we want to just show that we’re super inviting, super inclusive,” Stott said. “It’s part of the Mount A culture.”
Pride Week begins with a flag raising at the university flagpoles beside the Owens Art Gallery from 4:30 to 5 pm, where Stott and MASU vice-president of student life Elena Valliquette are expected to speak. The parade will follow York and Main streets before arriving at the Tantramar municipal office for a second flag raising.
Stott said MASU has been trying to build a stronger connection between students and the town. He remembers arriving at Mount Allison as a new student without knowing Sackville or what to expect from the relationship between students and the wider community.
Municipal staff have helped with street closures and volunteers for Monday’s parade, while Stott said fire trucks will also take part.
“I really want to see more of this,” he said. “Let’s keep that collaboration going. Let’s make sure that they feel welcome on our campus and also that they feel welcome in the town.”
Work on Pride Week started months before students returned. Stott said organizers started booking spaces and contacting participants in May and June, working from an action plan left by last year’s MASU executive.
Stott said first-year students in particular are still figuring out classes, textbooks and the social side of university. Organizers wanted events students could drop into without much pressure.
“We want it to be pretty relaxed,” he said.
Tuesday’s queer academic panel will bring Mount Allison president Ian Sutherland, vice-president of student affairs Nona Robinson and assistant professor/lecturer James Hahn to Windsor Grand Room from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Stott said the panel gives students a chance to hear university leaders speak about their own experiences and identities.
Pride trivia and rainbow cookie decorating follows Wednesday at The Pond from 6 to 8 pm.
Thursday includes a gender-affirming clothing swap with Catalyst MTA, Mount Allison’s 2SLGBTQ+ student group, at the chapel from 1 to 3 pm. A movie night is planned for Bill Johnstone Memorial Park at 8:30 pm, weather permitting. The movie had not yet been selected when Stott spoke with CHMA.
Catalyst will close out the week Friday with a 19+ Pride Night at Ducky’s Pub. Stott said organizers originally considered a drag show for Friday, but scheduling conflicts with performers led them to work with Catalyst on the Ducky’s event instead.
Stott said organizers wanted students to have different ways of taking part, from the larger parade to quieter activities on campus.
“No matter what level of engagement you’re comfortable with, you can still participate in the week,” he said.
Stott said he wants that focus to continue after Pride Week ends.
“Doing Pride Month in June is great, but it shouldn’t just be one month,” he said. “It should be something that we’re focused on throughout the year.”
