Pride is strong at PSU

Pride at Portland State is not a month, but a season. PSU starts hosting Pride events in May, national Pride Month kicks off June 1, and the city of Portland hosts its annual Pride parade in July (July 20 to be exact). An extended Pride season makes sense for a university that has a year-round commitment to offering meaningful, engaging, and affirming programming and services to its queer and trans students.

I’m sure that in the history of Pride Month, dating back to the Stonewall Riots of 1969, there have been many years where the celebration of LGBTQ+ people has felt more important than ever. And 2025 is another of those years. It is easy to lose heart when it seems like as a society we are moving backward on issues like support for gender-affirming care for our trans community members and protections for trans and gender expansive youth.  

I want to state clearly that Portland State will not tolerate discriminatory practices that cause harm to any of our students, staff and faculty including those who are transgender. PSU is committed to fostering an environment where all can thrive — the learners, the teachers, and all of us who support this institution. We exist to provide equitable access to higher education and we teach and employ people regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, disability status, citizenship status, political affiliation, or any other aspect of their identity. We will continue to operate this way no matter the politics of the day. We will not tolerate hate.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Erica Fonseca, the new director of Queer Student Services, which includes PSU beloved Queer Resource Center. She talked to me about the feelings of hurt and betrayal shared by many of our queer and trans students given the social-political context that seeks to erase queer and trans people from public life. She also talked about her vision for building affirming and transformative programming at the QRC that fosters community resilience, while tangibly meeting the needs of queer and trans students. I apologize for any time members of the LGBTQ+ community have felt less than supported at PSU and I honor the resilience and solidarity of our queer and trans networks who have always looked out for one another. I support Erica’s leadership and plan to be in more regular dialogue with the QRC going forward.

When Portland State is tested, we stand strong. I dedicate this Pride season to standing strong with everyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and I know that allies across PSU will join us.