LGBTQ+ students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are preparing to acknowledge and celebrate June’s pride month, despite looming political threats from the Trump administration and cuts to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) funding.
“It goes without saying that Pride will be different [this year],” said Morgan Morris, co-president of The Pride Society (TPS). “It [will be] a bit scarier, but also a bit braver. Now more than ever we need community. I think we fight through celebration and joy.”
Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election brought a tsunami of threats and executive orders to college campuses that fund “DEI programs.” Queer organizations, such as the UW-Madison Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC), rely on that funding to hold events.
“We have gotten information that a lot of funding is just going to be cut,” Morris said. They also expressed how hard it’s been to pin down any real answers from administrators. “We’re planning for the worst-case scenario,” they said.
TPS Co-president Forrest Jensen echoed the same sentiment. “Anyone that is a full-time staff member can only tell you that they don’t know,” he said. “It’s very exhausting and frustrating.”
UW-Madison spokesperson John Lucas said he was unable to address “specific funding questions” but said the GSCC continues to be funded by UW-Madison Student Affairs. Lucas also said the university was focused on “creating community” during Pride Month. The GSCC declined to comment on possible federal threats to LGBTQ+ organizations on UW-Madison’s campus.
TPS is part of Qouncil, a collection of queer clubs designed to strengthen communication between organizations and discuss funding propositions. According to Morris and Jensen, TPS and other Qouncil members have had to discuss the possibility of losing university funding all together. TPS has discussed ways to secure outside funding, should that become necessary.
Founded in 1983, TPS is UW-Madison’s oldest LGBTQ+ organization. They are an LGBTQ-friendly social group dedicated to providing a safe space for queer students at UW-Madison, famous for holding their “Pride Prom” every May.
The GSCC inside the Red Gym has administrative control over the groups in Qouncil. Members range from groups such as Queer & Trans Engineers, to Sex Out Loud and Queer & Trans People of Color.
All of these groups use funding for club functions, like holding social events and bringing in speakers. Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, what will happen to Qouncil is still “up in the air,” according to Morris.
In February, UW-Madison sent a newsletter to students and faculty addressing concerns about how the federal actions would affect the university. While the letter focused on how research and admissions would be affected, it did express concern for how the university’s values of “diversity of identity” and “support for our community” could be affected by federal policies. Three months later, questions still remain for LGBTQ+ groups on campus.
“The climate has been very scary,” Morris said. “Community is essential for the survival of all queer people. I’ve definitely found that in The Pride Society.”
Both Morris and Jensen expressed how queer organizations like TPS were invaluable for making friends and having events to go to around campus. They said many queer students come to UW-Madison feeling isolated in their identity.
“I wasn’t in [the] queer community. It didn’t feel like I could be gay all year-round,” Jensen said. “Now, when I go to TPS events or meetings, I do feel like that.”
With many UW-Madison students leaving for the summer, most student-run organizations will not be holding in-person pride celebrations. But for those who are staying — like Morris and Jensen — there’s no shortage of events throughout Madison.
“I’m excited for The Big Gay Pride Market,” Jensen said. The market runs from June 13-15 at Alliant Energy Center. He and Morris also plan on attending the Henry Vilas Zoo Pride Night on June 14.
The GSCC will also hold a pride picnic on June 25th at Library Mall.
