On October 16th, Jacob Sturtz from the A&F Innovation team hosted a powerful DEIA event, delving into Queer Theory and the History of Pride. The event drew a crowd of around 80 participants, with a lively in-person turnout at the 50 Washington Commonwealth room and an engaged virtual audience on Zoom.
Jacob guided attendees through significant chapters of LGBTQ+ history, from the pre-Stonewall era to today’s expressions of Pride. Key moments included the Stonewall uprising, the AIDS crisis, the tragic loss of Matthew Shepard to a hate crime, and reflections on Pride in 2024. His personal insights brought depth to each topic, making the presentation both enlightening and impactful.
As a symbol of allyship, attendees received “You Can Be Yourself with Me” pins alongside LGBTQ+ progress pride flags, fostering a spirit of inclusion and support. A big thank you to Jacob and the DEIA Committee for organizing this inspiring event—and to everyone who joined in!
Missed the event? Check out the event recording!
Don’t miss out on our upcoming DEIA events; there’s more to come in our journey toward a more inclusive workplace.