GMercyU Raises Progressive Pride Flag
By: Zoa Lupton, Integrated Studies
Gwynedd Mercy University raised the progressive pride flag on campus to signify the University's commitment to having justice and equality for LGBTQ+ people on Friday, March 31.
The flag-raising ceremony was sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Pride Alliance (an LGBTQ+ student organization), and Spectrum (an LGBTQ+ faculty and staff resource group).
After a warmful welcome from GMercyU's Assistant Vice President of the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Tatiana Diaz, Dr. Kathryn Reinhard, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, shared a prayer from The Transforming Hearts Collective. After Dr. Reinhard's prayer, President Deanne D’Emilio shared a few words with audience. First-year Special Education student Toni Robinson followed shortly after her with a statement from Pride Alliance. To close, the audience heard a speech from Daniel Parker, Spectrum's faculty and staff co-chair.
“We are encouraged and energized to be raising the pride flag for its third consecutive year as a Catholic intuition, where our religious community has chosen to support our queer and transgender members as a genuine expression, rather than a contradiction, of its spiritual and virtuous mission," Parker said. "Where the Sisters of Mercy recognize that God's love extends to our LGBTQ+ community members and our collective pursuit in truth and justice.”