Recognizing Pride Month 2026 at Elon University

Pride Month is recognized globally during June to honor the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a series of protests that followed a police raid on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Throughout the academic year and in the summer, Elon’s Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC) offers a variety of programming for the LGBTQIA community and allies, including the Spring Pride event and Lavender Celebration during Commencement season.

June was officially recognized by the U.S. government as Pride Month in 1999 when President Bill Clinton proclaimed June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” Learn more about the history of the month online.

The GLC also hosts a Pride Month Community Coffee event on June 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Irazu Coffee. Attendees can get one medium iced or hot drink. RSVP at this link.

Resources at Elon

• Gender and LGBTQIA Center (GLC) in Moseley 209 provides support to LGBTQIA students, provides confidential support for survivors of gender-based violence, and presents on gender and LGBTQIA-related topics. The GLC is open during the summer, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on holidays. Feel free to stop by the office, email (glc@elon.edu) or call at 336.278.6228
• The Gender and Sexuality Living Learning Community is a residential community open to any student wishing to explore topics around gender and sexual orientation.
• Spectrum is a queer-straight student alliance ensuring a safe space for all queer people, existing for over 20 years.
• OutLaw is a social and educational organization that fosters a supportive and accepting environment for LGBT students, faculty, staff and professionals at Elon Law.
• LGBTQIA Alumni Network celebrates and connects LGBTQIA alumni by fostering belonging and advocating for our community.
• The Spirit and Pride Initiative is a grant-funded initiative supported by The Carpenter Foundation and in collaboration with the GLC and Truitt Center to support LGBTQIA students of faith.
• RISE, a QTPOC student initiative, supports LGBTQIA students of color through affirmation, celebration, and elevation.
• CLEAR (Coalition of Learning, Empowerment & Anti-violence Resources) is a student-directed initiative supervised by the GLC that coordinates events and presentations on gender-based violence awareness and prevention.
• The GAP Fund provides financial support to currently enrolled Elon students who are supported by the mission and programs of the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. The GAP Fund is made possible by generous donations to the GLC from LGBTQIA alumni, allies, faculty, staff, current students, and community members.

Community Resources

• Alamance Pride is a nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ communities of Alamance County by organizing an annual Pride festival.
• PFLAG Alamance provides support for families and friends of LGBTQ people through educational materials and advocacy against harassment and bullying.
• Transcend Alamance is a community-led initiative created to form opportunities that inspire a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ and gender expansive people of any age, race and ability in Alamance County.
• Guilford Green Foundation & LGBTQ Center (Greensboro) creates unity through programming and philanthropy that advances equality and inclusion for LGBTQ communities.
• LGBT Center of Raleigh works to to serve, empower, and advocate for the well-being of our diverse LGBTQ+ communities.
• LGBTQ Center Durham supports LGBTQ+ people through services, programming, resources, and support networks that center their wellbeing and allows them to thrive.

Allyship Tips from the GLC

• Connect with any of the organizations in this article.
• Give to the Gender and LGBTQIA Center to provide financial support for LGBTQIA students who are experiencing food insecurity, to have access to gender-affirming clothing and to make educational experiences financially accessible.
• Learn the history of the LGBTQIA communities from The Society for Human Rights to the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot and to the Stonewall Riots and subsequent Pride Parades.

Reach out to the staff at the Gender and LGBTQIA Center about other ways to get involved or if you are interested in volunteering with the GLC.