If you haven’t heard of UNI Proud, you’re missing out. Last week, the organization held their annual Pride Week, which ended up being a huge success. Eileen Hail is the girl behind it all.
First of all, what is Proud and what does it stand for?
Proud is UNI’s LGBTQIA organization, and it is an organization dedicated to education, activism and outreach on the UNI campus and in the community. Proud doesn’t stand foranything, but it’s a nice way to sum up who we are. The group has previouslybeen known at UNI GLO (Gay-lesbian organization), LGBTA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance), and GLBTAU (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Union). After a while the letters run together and calling ourselves Proud makes life a lot easier.
What is your role in the organization?
I currently serve as the President of Proud, and I do all kinds of things. My biggest task is making sure that everything Proud and its members want to do gets accomplished.
What has been the most difficult part in running UNI Proud?
I have run in to the same thing that many other student organizations do as well, which is participation. WE can put on all the events in the world, but they don’t mean anything if no one comes. Education is one of our three pillars, and we have to work hard to incorporate that into our events while still keeping everything fun and entertaining.
The Drag Show in the UNIon during Pride Week (image from the Northern Iowan)
What has been the best part?
I love all of the people I have met during my time with Proud, and all of the events we put on. Pride Week 2011 has just finished, and it was the best it’s ever been. Seeing Maucker Union packed for the Drag Show makes all of the hard work that goes into events worth it. I love seeing that we really reached more than just our part of the campus community.
What do you hope comes out of your group’s efforts?
All Proud wants to do is to educate our campus to make it a safer environment for all students, regardless of sexuality, gender identity or expression, race, class, or anything else.
What events take place during Pride week?
This year, we hosted a film night and showed a documentary, Red Without Blue. Every year we host our Drag Ball, and we always try to bring in a speaker. This year we brought in Kate Bornstein, a performer and author who is a champion for all people that do not conform to the binary of male and female.
If students want to get involved with the organization, how should they reach you?
We are on Facebook as UNI Proud. Tweet us @UNIProud. Visit our website at http://www.uni.edu/studentorgs/proud. Email us at proud@uni.edu or stop by our office at 244A Bartlett!