Speed-mingling Pride Social closes out pride week

As pride week came to a close, the Pride Social brought students together for an evening of celebration and connection on Sept. 27, despite a brief disruption caused by an unexpected fire alarm.

When the Pride Social began at the Observatory, attendance was low. As more students began to arrive, the fire alarm at A-building was triggered, according to kitchen staff.

Security quickly evacuated people to the parking lot in front of H-building. Fortunately, the disruption was brief, and after a five-minute wait, students were allowed back inside to rejoin the party.

The party kicked off with a lively performance by Kween Mallika, a drag queen and MC for the evening. After the opening dance, Mallika led the crowd into two circles, where students could rotate and chat with new faces every two minutes. The ice-breaking game set the tone for an evening filled with conversation and camaraderie.

“I think it’s important for students to be able to kind of go to an event where you know for sure that there are people who will understand and accept you,” said Orlando Zhang, an interdisciplinary studies in human-centred design student. “A lot of students don’t like us.”

Like Zhang, many attendees hoped to make new friends and promote inclusivity.

For others, like Yug Patel, a Level 1 television and broadcasting student, the event offered a chance to step out of their comfort zone. Patel said he volunteered at the event “to meet people, to interact with them, you know, be more social with people.”

Pride week is a week-long program offering students the chance to participate in exciting activities celebrating pride.

“We did a pride week in September because it’s the start of the semester. And we want an opportunity for the queer students coming in to be able to connect and find community at the start of the semester,” said Tatanisha Riggan, the equity, diversity and inclusion coordinator at Algonquin College.

“We started off with the cookie decorating event on Monday. Tuesday, we had the 2SLGBTQ+ community resource fair. And then we had bracelet making (on Wednesday). And then yesterday we had a really fun sexy trivia night. And tonight, we’re ending it all, a wonderful week with a Pride Social. So, we get to have a party,” said Riggan.

Though Riggan believes there is strong support within the queer community at Algonquin College, she acknowledged there’s always room for growth.

“There can always be more support,” she said, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to build connections and provide resources.