Variety of student-focused and community events planned for June
University of Niagara Falls Canada is proud to mark Pride Month this June with an exciting lineup of student-led events, campus celebrations, and community partnerships that underscore the university’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The university is also stepping into a leadership role in the broader community by serving as the presenting sponsor of the Pride Niagara Kickoff event on May 30. Taking place at the Meridian Centre in downtown St. Catharines, the event is a celebration of the Niagara 2SLGBTQIA+ community’s identity, culture, and resilience. The event runs from 8 to 11 p.m. and will feature RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favourite Vanessa Vanjie, along with spotlight DJs, contests, giveaways, and more. Tickets are $25 and are available online and at the Meridian Centre Box Office.
“Pride Month is a powerful opportunity for us to reaffirm our values and actively demonstrate allyship,” said Felicia Werner, Executive Director of Community Engagement at UNF. “We’re proud to celebrate our diverse community and stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty.
Throughout June, the university will host and participate in a variety of Pride-Themed events organized in collaboration with student groups, campus services, and community partners.
Highlights include:
Pride Talk: Positive Spaces
– An interactive virtual session on June 2 discussing how participants can help make UNF a more inclusive space for all.
Pride Talk: Sexual and Gender Diversity
– Ilana Girdany, 2SLGBTQ+ System Navigator at Niagara Falls Community Health Centre, will lead an insightful virtual conversation on June 10 about gender diversity and allyship.
2SLGBTQIA+ Conversation Circle
– An opening, welcoming in-person conversation on June 11 to learn more about 2SLGBTQIA+ topics with a safe space to listen, share, and connect.
Drag Bingo at Camp Cataract
– Hosted by local drag royalty, June 18 will be a night of bold looks and big laughs with great performances and exciting prizes.
Coffee Chat: Celebrating Pride in Niagara
– Enzo De Divitiis, chair of Pride Niagara, joins UNF at the Niagara Falls Public Library on June 17 for a conversation about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the region.
The Student Success Office has worked to make sure the month’s programming is inclusive, engaging, and accessible.
“Pride Month isn’t just about celebration, it’s about visibility, education, and creating safe spaces for everyone. We’re excited for what’s planned and hope the campus community shows up with pride,” said Sam Edgar, Associate Director of Student Experience.
The UNF Library has created a digital library guide available to students and staff, covering the basics of 2SLGBTQIA+ history and terminology as a starting point for further exploration.
Students are encouraged to visit the Student Event Calendar in TeamUp for more event details.
