Meet Gloria, SAMRU’s Pride and Healthy Relationships Coordinator
June is Pride Month, when we celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community! To talk about all things progress and acceptance, we sat down with SAMRU’s Pride and Health Relationships Coordinator, Gloria Sesay, in Wyckham House’s Pride Centre.
Keep reading to learn about Gloria’s history with your Students’ Association and how the Pride Centre and its programming have helped to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and accepting community around campus!
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Gloria Sesay, and I have been the Pride and Healthy Relationships Coordinator for a year now. I graduated from the University of Calgary two years ago with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. My primary interests were in sexual education, sexual health, and how they interact with relationships and mental health. I then worked as a summer program assistant at the Centre for Sexuality, where I supported Camp fYrefly, Pride, and other related events.
Why is it important to have a Pride Centre on campus?
The Pride Centre is a hub for students of all genders and sexualities. Pride Centres are important for students to share their own experiences in coming out, learning more about queer and trans resources in Calgary, and forming connections with fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ students and allies.
How will you help to keep the space inclusive and welcoming for all students?
I hope to be able to invite guests and hold workshops that allow students to learn and recognize that there are so many different ways to understand gender, sexuality, and models for healthy, thriving relationships.
I value meaningful visibility and want to be able to provide opportunities for students to learn and connect with a variety of educators. I want the Pride Centre to continue to be a place where students are able to support each other wherever they are in their journey with sexuality and gender!
Do you have any recommendations on how students can get involved with Pride?
Be on the lookout for our advertisements on the SAMRU website for Pride Ambassadors coming up in August. As a Pride Centre admin, you can offer peer-to-peer support, support larger events, and promote the community.
You can also get involved in the Pride Centre through our weekly programming like Wellness Wind Down, Crafternoon, and our new program, the Queer and Trans BIPOC Circle.
Students can also get involved through our larger events, such as Sex Toy Bingo and SEXPO programming and workshops. If you’ve ever been interested in learning more about drag or even performing, Gender Bender, which happens every spring, is an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills!
How can students get to know you and the Pride Centre
Right now the Centre is located on the second floor in Room Z211, but in the fall you can stop by anytime on the third floor in room Z307!
You can reach Gloria at pridecentre@samru.ca or come to the Pride Centre in room Z203 in Wyckham House from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on weekdays (excluding holidays) until the fall. This 2024 fall semester will feature a new revamped Pride Centre, in a larger space on the third floor of Wyckham in room Z307!
For general inquiries, you can reach us at info@samru.ca.
