By David Simpson

ODU LGBTQIA+ Pride Month will fly its rainbow colors again this year, from March 30 through May 3.

Presented by the Women and Gender Equity Center, this is the second such celebration. Pride Month was started in April 2022 by Andrew Garber, coordinator for LGBTQIA+ programs and services at Old Dominion University.

“It's an experience," he said. “It's immersive. So, whether you are of queer experience or identity or not, all of the events are open to everyone. Each event is an opportunity to find connection and community, across all identities.”

Dine N Drag (April 5) and Pride Prom (April 7) are among this year's highlights. Other events include a picnic, a town hall, a campus walk, kayaking and a career expo.

ODU’s Pride Month is in April, even though the national Pride Month – and Hampton Roads’ – is observed in June. Garber decided last year that he wanted to bring the same sense of affirmation and celebration he’s seen locally to ODU before most students left for the summer.

“In Norfolk it's such a big deal," he said. "I love the fact that there's so many different opportunities to engage in the community and engage in what it means to be prideful and what it means to be celebratory of where we are at as a community. I really wanted to bring that vibe here on campus.”

This year’s schedule is below. For more information, see LGBTQIA+ Pride Month 2023.

March 30

Outwork757: Virginia’s LGBTQ Career Expo, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Chartway Arena. Co-sponsors: the Women and Gender Equity Center, Hampton Roads Business Outreach and Outwire757.

March 31

Trans Day of Visibility, noon to 5 p.m., 3519 Colley Ave., Norfolk. Hosted by the Southeastern Transgender Resource Center.

April 1

Queer Kayaking, noon to 2 p.m., Whitehurst Beach. Hosted by the Queer Resilience Coalition.

April 5

Dine N Drag, 7 to 9 p.m., North Café, Webb University Center. Co-sponsored by the Women and Gender Equity Center, the Student Activities Council, and the Sexuality and Gender Alliance.

April 7

Pride Prom, 7 to 10 p.m., North Café, Webb University Center. Co-hosts: the Queer Resilience Coalition and the Sexuality and Gender Alliance.

April 11

Queer Café: Zine Workshop, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Norfolk Room, Webb University Center. Hosted by the Queer Resilience Coalition.

April 14

Pride Picnic, noon to 2 p.m., Whitehurst Beach. Hosted by the Women and Gender Equity Center and the Sexuality and Gender Alliance.

Queer Kickball, 4 to 6 p.m., Whitehurst Field. Hosted by the Queer Resilience Coalition.

April 15

Out of Darkness Campus Walk, noon to 2 p.m.

April 17

Virtual Safe Space Undergrad Training, 3 to 6 p.m.

April 18

Town Hall: Consent as a Queer Student, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Cape Charles Room, Webb University Center. Hosted by the Queer Resilience Coalition.

April 20

SAGA Kickback, 5 to 7 p.m., Cape Charles Room, Webb University Center.

April 25

Tie-Dye Your Pride, noon to 2 p.m., Whitehurst Beach. Hosted by the Queer Resilience Coalition.

May 3

Rainbow Graduation, 4 to 6 p.m., North Café, Webb University Center.