STRIDE for Pride: celebrating LGBTQ+ rights with every step

The philosophy department, in partnership with the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies program, organized a Pride march on campus during June in support of the Ruth Ellis Center, a local Detroit non-profit that provides services and programs that benefit young LGBTQ+ people of color who are experiencing homelessness, are involved in the child welfare system and/or face barriers to health and wellbeing.

Donning rainbow colors and lifting colorful banners, a team of WSU students, faculty and staff gathered and walked from Old Main to the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement in an effort to highlight the importance of inclusivity, understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth, recognizing the struggles they face and affirming of their right to live authentically.

The march is part of the STRIDE for Pride campaign started by the Ruth Ellis Center in 2020.

Born out of a pressing need to raise awareness and funds for The Ruth Ellis Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, STRIDE for Pride encourages participants to venture outdoors and enjoy the fresh air while celebrating themselves and each other in a safe space. The march also honors the legacy of Ruth Ellis, a pioneering LGBTQ+ and civil rights activist who lived in Detroit until her death in 1999.

Krystina Edwards, the Community Engagement Manager for the Ruth Ellis Center, spoke at the start of the event. "Stride For Pride shows LGBTQ young people that there are people who support them and their dreams. This is important because we know LGBTQ young people are 40% less likely to attempt suicide if they have one supportive adult in their lives. WSU is displaying solidarity for and with LGBTQ young people worldwide."

This year was the third year Wayne State has hosted the event and the coordinators expect it to be an annual event going forward.