It can be really difficult to come out, especially while attending a Catholic college. In recent years, a group of LGBTQIA+ St. Mike's Alumni have come together to create an affinity space composed of current students, staff, and alumni. It is the mission of this group, currently called the Pride Committee, to create a safe space, both virtually and in person, for queer Purple Knights to connect and support one another, to keep up with what is happening on campus, and to recognize the experiences and achievements of the Saint Michael's College LGBTQIA+ community, past and present. While a St. Mike's LGBTQIA+ network has existed for a long time, it is the firm belief of the Pride Committee that this group should become an official alumni affinity group in order to be more accessible to its members and to carry out its mission.

To date, there have been two virtual events, each held in June, that highlight what it means to be a queer person or ally at St. Mike's. These events hosted speakers and presented a special community member with an award to honor their contributions to the SMCVT LGBTQIA+ community. The Pride Committee will be hosting a third annual virtual event this year on Thursday, June 16th at 4pm.

So: are you a Purple Knight who is also a friend of Dorothy? Whether you have been out for ages or are just making your debut out of the closet, you will be sure to find some good judies within the Saint Michael's College community. If this applies to you, and you identify as a part of the queer community within SMC, we are asking that you fill out this interest survey. This survey is anonymous (if you want it to be!) and the only required identifier will be your class year. The Pride Committee is hoping to gauge participation level, leadership interest, ideas for events and programming, and potential candidates for the SMC Pride award.