GSB Students Recognize Pride Month Around Campus 

Though Pride Month is typically celebrated in June, GSB dedicated the month of April to recognize and support the LGBTQ+ community while students were still on campus during the school year.  

Leaders from Gill’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and Gill for Diversity clubs partnered with faculty advisors and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Community (DEIC) team to plan a series of events and activities across the month designed to encourage positivity and thoughtful discussion around inclusion and identity, including: 

• A virtual visit from GSB alum and GSA Club co-founder Jack Riccardo-Wood ‘17 who discussed his college experience at Brown and gave insightful suggestions for forum conversation starters at Upper School assembly. 

• A Student Diversity Forum led by the GSA and Gill for Diversity Clubs that discussed the importance of recognizing identities and celebrating diversity within our community. 

• A Student Movie Night where GSA club members gathered for a socially-distant viewing of The Prom, a musical film featuring Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. 

• A month-long display in the GSB Library highlighting authors and stories from across the LGBTQ+ landscape. 

• A powerful demonstration of the GLSEN Day of Silence where 20 upper school students took a vow of silence during the school day to bring attention to the harmful effects of LGBTQ+ harassment and discrimination. 

• A Middle School student presentation on the history of Pride Month and notable advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. 

When asked about their favorite part of Pride Month, an Upper School student reflected on how much they appreciated seeing students and teachers wearing rainbow outfits and stickers. 

“It meant a lot to me to see these steps towards acceptance and celebration of who I am. All sorts of identities are important to recognize and be proud of, especially in a world that may not accept them.”  

GSA Advisor Jared Ciocco also commented on how April Pride Month was a great success in celebrating the LGBTQ+ community within and outside of Gill.  

“Students in GSA came up with some great ideas and involvement from the student and staff community was outstanding. One of the highlights was seeing the positivity and support from the Gill community, in something as small as Pride-themed stickers being worn and seen throughout the school. The biggest highlight for me was seeing the community come together to recognize the LGTBQ+ community and the support that will be present every month, not only during our Pride Month recognition.”