Free Press: U of M administration organizes queer alumni event

As Nick Martin at the Winnipeg Free Press reports:

In what could be a first in Canada, the University of Manitoba has organized a UMqueer alumni event during Homecoming celebrations next month.

The Friday Sept. 23 social is dubbed Queers, Cheers and Homecoming years.

Student groups have organized similar events in the past, but the university is likely the first to be involved in organizing one.

“At the University of Manitoba, we’re committed to diversity and inclusion on all levels,” vice-president external John Kearsey said Monday in an email. “This year, the U of M formally participated in Pride Winnipeg. President (David) Barnard walked in the parade with a group of alumni, students, faculty and staff.”

LGBTTQ* grads organized this summer when the U of M was a sponsor of Winnipeg’s Pride parade.

“We said at the time, it can’t be simply a one-off engagement. So we put together a group of community members and identified opportunities for the U of M to really engage in the conversation of LGBTTQI* issues. We are having several conversations and events in the year ahead and one of those is this new homecoming event for our queer alumni community,” Kearsey said.