The UB community will reaffirm its commitment to its LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff as it celebrates Pride Week April 8-12.

Presented by the Intercultural and Diversity Center, the week features a variety of activities and events. Events are open to all.

While most cities and towns around the country celebrate Pride Week in June or July, UB Pride Week takes place in April so that UB students can participate before they’ve returned home for the summer or are working summer jobs or internships.

The marquee event of UB Pride Week, the annual Pride March, takes place on April 9. The march will begin at 3 p.m. at Knox Quad at Progress Pride Paths and continue around the North Campus. A mixer will follow the march in the Student Union Courtyard. In the event of rain, the march and mixer will be moved inside the Student Union.

Another highlight of the week is the University Pride Lecture, taking place at 7 p.m. April 10 in the Screening Room in the Center for the Arts. Speaking is activist Payton Head, former president of the student government at the University of Missouri. He will discuss “Intentionally Intersectional Leadership.”

Following the events in Ferguson, Head spearheaded conversations about improving race relations in the state of Missouri. His viral Facebook post detailing his experience with fighting systemic injustice at the university prompted the student body to fight for a more inclusive campus and be a change agent in higher education.

Other events during the week include the UB Pride Faculty and Staff Meet Up, the Rainbow Hour and Queer Prom.

Visit the Pride Week website for full details.