‘Showing our community we care’: Augusta University comes together to celebrate Augusta Pride

The city of Augusta will host its 13th annual LGBTQIA+ pride celebration, Augusta Pride, on June 23-24 in downtown Augusta. This year’s theme will be the colors of the rainbow.

Several groups from Augusta University will join together at Augusta Pride to show their support of the community, including the office of Multicultural Student Engagement.

Augusta University offers year-round support to its LGBTQIA+ community through organizations like the Lambda Alliance for students and the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Association.

“There has historically been Augusta University involvement, but there has not been a consolidated effort by so many Augusta University departments,” said Shareen Clement, EdD, interim director of Multicultural Student Engagement. “By showing up to events like this, we are exercising our values of inclusivity and collegiality, but also showing our community we care, we’re invested, and we want to grow with you.”

There will be information tables at the festival from the university, including the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, College of Nursing, AU Health, Lambda Alliance and more.

“The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is excited to see the LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Association organize a larger AU presence at this year’s Augusta Pride,” said Amanda Cruz, training coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Augusta University. “We are committed to increasing inclusive excellence, and cultivating a welcoming environment where our faculty, staff, students, and the greater Augusta community feel accepted, supported and respected.”

Multicultural Student Engagement will be giving away Pride T-shirts and tank tops, along with tickets to Beats on Broad, while supplies last. The office is located in room 209 in the Jaguar Student Activities Center on the Summerville Campus.

Augusta Pride celebrations will begin with Beats on Broad: The Rainbow Party, an outdoor concert from 6 p.m. to midnight June 23 at the Augusta Common.

There will be several musical performances, including Carmit Bachar from The Pussycat Dolls, a drag show and an appearance by Mr., Miss and Mx Augusta Pride 2023. Tickets are $10 at the gate.

The Augusta Pride parade will take place the following day, June 24, starting at 10 a.m. The parade will begin on Jones Street, continue down Broad Street and end at the Augusta Common, where the Pride festival will take place immediately following the parade. The festival is free and open to the public.

The Augusta Pride celebration is hosted by Augusta Pride, Inc., a nonprofit organization that aims to boost visibility and pride of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and ally communities of the Central Savannah River Area.