In an effort to provide a positive holiday experience to her fellow students, Rae Anderson was inspired to create Pridesgiving – an opportunity for the entire student body to come together and create lasting holiday memories filled with joy.
Many members of the LGBTQ+ community face the holiday season with trepidation and sadness because they lack a supportive and accepting family dynamic. Imagine sitting around a table filled with people who can’t or won’t accept you for who YOU are.
According to Rae, she recognized her own difficulties faced during the holidays. When asked what inspired her creation of Pridesgiving Rae said, “I wanted to provide a positive experience for those who associate holidays with isolation, trauma, hunger, or stress of any kind.”
Pridesgiving 2018
With assistance from the LGBTQ+ advisor, Brandon Burnette, and the Student life Coordinator, Meg Sheeley, the first Pridesgiving came to fruition on November 20, 2018.
The event was a potluck event held in the Student Dining Hall. Then student, Kerri Hostetter, invited her Queer positive choral group, “Key of Q” to provide musical entertainment. The event was well attended by students, guests, staff, and faculty. It was a great success.
Meg and Brandon discussed the outcome and it was decided…Pridesgiving would become an annual event at SUNY Ulster!
Pridesgiving 2019
In an effort to make a cozier, more personal event, Pridesgiving was held in the Student Lounge. In 2019 many more clubs got involved and collaborated to make an amazing event. Stephanie Sensini, from the Business Club, created an amazing graphic that was made into a physical banner to commemorate the event.
The Student Government Organization (SGO) purchased turkeys and Jason from Lessings was kind enough to cook them. “Ready for the Holidays” clothing racks were set up with the supplies and help of those participating in the Start Here. Go Far Boutique. And a staff member, Danielle Wayman, donated beautiful homemade candies.
All of this was complemented by live musical entertainment from “A Judgmental Swarm of Bees”. And once again, the event was an overwhelming success!
Pridesgiving 2020…PRIDE MARCHES ON!
In this year of upheaval and unprecedented change, the tradition will continue. With the efforts of Meg Sheeley, Brandon Burnette, and LGBTQ+ Association President Bailey Savatgy Pridesgiving will continue for its third annual run.
Things will be a bit different this year. It will be a virtual event with students registering to attend. However, do not be discouraged! This is still a free event open to all! Not to mention, those registered will be entered into a raffle drawing for prizes! (Yay, free stuff!)
During this year’s virtual event there will be a slideshow of “SUNY PRIDE MARCHES ON” artwork submissions. They are still seeking submissions of artwork so get those masterpieces submitted!
There are also many items in the works for this year’s event including musical entertainment and guest speakers.
Come and be a part of an amazing, enriching tradition at SUNY Ulster that continues to inspire a spirit of inclusivity and togetherness in this brave new world we face every day!
