By Mike Greife,
April 11, 2018
WARRENSBURG, MO – The Office of Mentoring, Advocacy and Peer Support, the Center for
Multiculturalism and Inclusivity and the McClure Archives and University Museum at
the University of Central Missouri will host the Gaypril Celebration April 14-26 on
the UCM campus.
The event, planned to provide support for the LGBTQ community, opens at 7 p.m. Saturday,
April 14 with an exhibition, “Making Rights,” at the McClure Archives and University
Museum in the James C. Kirkpatrick Library. “Making Rights” is a traveling exhibition
on the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in Kansas City from the 1950 until today.
It will include “Symbols of Culture,” an exhibition of the symbols of LGBTQ+ culture
in the United States, historically and today.
Visitors to the exhibition also will have the opportunity to participate in the nationwide
Matthew Shepard Heart Challenge. In recognition of the 20th anniversary of Shepard’s
death, visitors may take a special Matthew Shepard Foundation Heart, write a message
in support to LGBTQ+ students, and then post it on the fence in the museum. Visitors
also may view the special pride flag area, where they may color in their pride flag
and pin it to the campus pride flag banner.
The celebration will continue on Tuesday, April 17 with the LGBTQ Involvement Fair
in the Elliott Student Union atrium at 3 p.m., followed by a free concert at 7 p.m.
in Hendricks Hall by the KC Freedom Band with special music selections that feature
LGBTQ composer and topics.
A discussion of LGBTQ issues by a panel of students, faculty and staff is planned
for 3 p.m. Thursday, April 19, in the Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity
in the Elliott Student Union. A book talk, featuring Amber Napoleone-Clifford, associate
professor of anthropology and director of the McClure Archives and University Museum,
and presentation of the LGBTQ scholarship is planned for 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 24,
in the Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity.
Wrapping up the celebration will be the Lavender Graduation and banquet at 7 p.m.
April 26 at a location to be announced.
For more information about the Gaypril Celebration, contact Tara Napoleone-Clifford,
coordinator of the Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity, at napoleone@ucmo.edu.
