By Aicha Bangoura
The LGBTQ+ Equity Center held the second annual Big Queer Photo on the steps of McKeldin Library on Thursday, May 8, in support of LGBTQ+ terps on campus.
The event drew in about 430 registrants, according to Kristopher Oliveira, the director of the LGBTQ+ Equity Center. Participants were given a t-shirt that pays homage to the UMD terrapin and LGBTQ+ community. Students and faculty then posed for the photo with their pride flags and banners.
“[This is a] campus wide demonstration of the network of inclusion that exists for our entire campus community, but especially LGBTQ+ terps,” said Oliveira
Oliveira, who has been director for two years, explained that this event gives him goosebumps because it brings the community together during difficult times in the final weeks of the semester.
“I think that we’re living in a time when it is really easy to feel isolated or like you might not have community and I think this is one of those events where you get to take a good look around,” Oliveira said. “You’re reminded, oh my gosh this is just a small pocket of the support that exists to us.”
Kate Brown, a junior computer science major, expressed delight that the event could even be held due to the Trump Administration’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, like the signing of Sex-Discrimination Executive Orders, which declare that there are only two genders that are not changeable, according to the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Brown, who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, attends many off-campus pride events as well, and believes that there’s a sense of community that comes from these kinds of events.
“When people are purposely gathering together with pride over identity it feels safer, it feels like a sense of community and you feel like you’re a part of something,” Brown said.
Brown believes the annual photo is joyous and lighthearted, which ultimately frustrates those who don’t support the LGBTQ+ movement.
“If you show it’s just a happy thing—how could you get mad about that?,” she said.
Alexander Williams, a third-year aerospace engineering doctoral candidate, did not realize that this was only the second time the event was held. He heard about the event last year but couldn’t attend.
“I just assumed that I missed it all the prior years I’ve been here, so that’s really cool they’ve been doing this for two years,” Williams said.
Like Brown, Williams understands the impact the current administration has had on the LGBTQ+ community, and appreciates that UMD hasn’t completely complied with the current administration’s efforts in dismantling DEI projects.
“I think that’s really great… showing that they aren’t abandoning their students,” he said.
While Williams admires the event, he calls for more allying from the LGBTQ+ community to support other social issues and identities.
“It’s important to keep in mind all those other identities like race and citizenship and stuff like that so I think it all intersects and comes together,” he said.
Helena, a freshman computer engineering major and event volunteer who preferred to be referred to by their first name, is an international student from Mexico. Due to Mexico’s fairly close-minded society when it comes to LGBTQ+ initiatives, it made them harder to fit in. UMD is the complete opposite, according to Helena.
“In Mexico there’s rarely a talk about identity,” they said. “It’s really necessary to recognize the diversity on our campus and in our country.”
This event reigns big in a time where division, especially in the context of LGBTQ+ rights, is so common. The Big Queer Photo brought together a variety of people from different walks of life.
“My experience has been that [UMD] is all about inclusion,” Oliveira said. “It doesn’t matter who you are or what your identities are, this event is about celebrating that hard massive network of inclusion and resources and people and connection.”
Featured Image: UMD community members on the steps of McKeldin Library preparing for the second annual Big Queer Photo. Photo by Aicha Bangoura.