Illinois State University’s Pride organization turns 50 this year. Students will celebrate ISU Pride and Queertober with events throughout the month in honor of Coming Out Day on October 11. All events are free.

Logo for ISU Pride with the words Pride at ISU.

Logo for ISU Pride with the words Pride at ISU.

ISU Pride History Night will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 9, at the LGBT and Queer Studies and Services Institute. Illinois State alumna and former ISU Pride advisor Barb Dallinger will speak.

Students from Pride along with those from Moor Pride—an organization for black LGBTQ+ students—and QueerEdBirds—education majors supporting more LGBTQ+-inclusive classrooms—will join together from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for National Coming Out Day on Friday, October 11, at the Schroeder Plaza. The groups will provide information to students and have a board for students to offer messages of support for those coming out.

The Queertober Ball will be from 7-10 p.m. Friday, October 18, in the Circus Room of the Bone Student Center. The free event will feature drag performances and a costume contest. Music, food, and drinks will be provided during this event. Halloween/Fall costumes are encouraged, but formal wear is also welcome.

ISU Pride will sponsor a pumpkin carving from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, October 23, at the LGBT and Queer Studies and Services Institute with Pride providing supplies for everyone to carve pumpkins.

For additional information go to the ISU Pride Facebook page.