Classes are over and exams are in full swing! Let’s take a break and look back to see what April had in store for us.
First and foremost, you already know that Pride Week 2026 was a blast! This year’s theme was “Generations,” inviting us to consider the people who paved the way for a Pride Week like this one, and how we can continue that tradition into the future.
Monday was our Pride Week Kickoff, where we partnered with the Sloane Art Library to display their photobook archive against the backdrop of the “Photos of a Moving Self” art exhibit. Attendees were guided through reflecting and creating their own photobook to add to the collection.
Following our Kickoff Event was a whirlwind of athletic activities! Tuesday saw a facilitated Ballroom Basics workshop, in partnership with the LGBTQ Center of Durham, followed by a yoga session outdoors by the Bell Tower on Wednesday, in partnership with Carolina Outing Club. Thursday was our “Rock Out” day: our cornerstone Pride in the Pit celebration lighting up the Pit during the day, then a climbing night at the Rams Head Rec Center climbing wall into the late night. Rounding out the whole week was a collaboration with Eclectic E-Sports: an epic Mario Kart tournament spanning four console generations!
But April didn’t just hold our annual Pride Week; there were also several awareness days. First was International Asexuality Day on April 6. IAD is a more recent awareness day, first celebrated on April 6, 2021. It was created through collaboration among international asexual advocacy organizations to increase awareness, promote understanding of asexual identities, and celebrate the asexual community worldwide. Check out the resources below to learn more about IAD!
Next, April 10th was National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was established in 2013 by Advocates for Youth to highlight the impact of HIV on young people and to encourage prevention, testing, and treatment. It focuses on education efforts that address stigma and improve access to healthcare for youth and amplifies the voices of young people living with HIV and those working in prevention. Learn more about NYHAAD at the links below:
April 10th was also the 30th anniversary of the Day of Silence. Promoted by Glisten, The Day of Silence began in 1996 as a student-led demonstration to protest bullying and harassment of LGBTQ+ students. Participants take a vow of silence to symbolize the silencing effect of discrimination and violence. It has since grown into a nationwide event supported by schools and other organizations, making a broad impact on the understanding of the experience of LGBTQ+ students in schools. Learn more here:
April 18th saw two awareness days as well! The first was National Transgender HIV Testing Day. National Transgender HIV Testing Day was first observed in 2016 to promote HIV testing and prevention within transgender communities, addressing disparities in healthcare access and higher rates of HIV among transgender people. The day encourages culturally competent care and increased visibility for transgender health needs. Learn more below:
The second awareness day on April 18th was Nonbinary Parents Day. Nonbinary Parents Day was created to celebrate and recognize parents who identify outside the traditional gender binary. Increasing visibility and affirming all family structures and gender identities is the goal of NPD. The day also encourages broader acceptance and understanding of nonbinary experiences in parenting. Explore the links below to learn more!
Finally, April 26 was Lesbian Visibility Day. Lesbian Visibility Day was established in 2008 to celebrate and acknowledge lesbian identities and contributions, seeking to combat erasure and promote representation in media, culture, and history. The day also creates space for community connection for lesbian identities across the world. Below are links to explore more about Lesbian Visibility Day:
As we round out the year, the Center will remain open for resources, support, and community. You got this, Tar Heels!