Queens College marked Pride Month with its seventh annual Pridefest Friday, June 7, recognizing and celebrating diversity and inclusion in the World’s Borough.
Students, faculty and staff from all 25 CUNY campuses, as well as other members of the community, gathered at the Flushing school’s quad to take part in this event.
In addition to listening and dancing to the music from the DJ on hand, attendees were able to see live musical and drag performances. Other activities that were available for people of all ages were button-making, painting and craft activities, a piñata competition, lawn games, a photo booth, a lemonade stand, giveaways, an expo area and much more.
A special fundraiser was held during the event to help benefit the AIDS Center of Queens County. There was also HIV and STI testing available at Pridefest.
“Queens College is proud to host the seventh annual CUNY Pridefest, a celebration of diversity, self-acceptance and respect, and I extend my wishes for a happy Pride Month to all,” Queens College President Frank H. Wu said. “The live performances, crafting, games and giveaways offer something for everyone, and a fundraising effort to benefit the AIDS Center of Queens County provides all of us with an opportunity to give back. I’m also delighted to report that the LGBTQIA+ Consortium—which was launched in this borough about a year and a half ago—has grown to all 25 schools in the CUNY system.”
The first 500 Pridefest attendees ended up receiving a free t-shirt and commemorative flag.
CUNY Pridefest and the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium were also honored with a Proclamation from Governor Kathy Hochul, presented by Jae Frasier, the Senior Policy Advisor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a Proclamation from NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and a Citation from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. Council Member, Tiffany Cabán, co-chair of the NYCC LGBTQIA+ Caucus offered remarks, as well as Ronald Porcelli, Executive Director of the NYC Unity Project in Mayor Eric Adams’ office, each offered remarks at the event as well.
The support of the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Consortium, in partnership with the New York City Council, Queens College, LaGuardia Community College, CUNY and Vishnick McGovern Milizio, Attorneys at Law helped make Pridefest 2024 possible.
Among those to cosponsor the event are the Offices of the Queens College President, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Women and Gender Studies Program, Queens College Health Services and the Queens College Office of Student Development and Leadership, the CUNY Office of Student Inclusion Initiatives, the Coalition for Students with Disabilities (CCSD), York College and the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community College.
Numerous Queens College student clubs and organizations also provided additional support. These include the Gender, Love and Sexuality Alliance (GLASA), the Alliance of Latin American Students (ALAS), the Hispanic Club and the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.
