Pride Month is celebrated annually in June. Throughout the month, Austin Community College District (ACC) interviews faculty, staff, and students who self-identify as LGBTQIA+, or an ally, to learn what the month means to them and how they celebrate it.
To view LGBTQIA+ events the college is hosting or participating in throughout the month and other resources, visit ACC’s Cultural Mosaic Pride Month webpage.
Mary Harris
Mary Harris, Ph.D., is ACC’s vice chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness & Grant Development. She has been at ACC for 22 years.
Why do you think it’s important for ACC to celebrate Pride Month?
It’s important to celebrate Pride Month to affirm our fellow LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff that they are welcome here. It also helps us to celebrate our commitment to diversity in all forms. Also, Pride Month lets us reflect on our history and celebrate how far ACC, Austin and its surrounding communities, and the county have come to be more inclusive of the LGBTQIA+ community.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
It means so much! I remember not being able to openly discuss being gay. I served in the military during “don’t ask, don’t tell” where we served in silence, faced being discharged, or worse. I never imagined a day would come when gay marriage would become legal. Now look where we are! We can serve openly in the military, we can get married, we can talk openly about being gay. This is what I celebrate. But of course, there are still those who don’t agree with equal rights for the LQBTQIA+ community and are fighting to put us back in the closet. We just need to persevere through the hate and continue to celebrate and advocate.
How do you celebrate Pride Month?
I participate in Pride events and support gay-friendly businesses.
How do you support the LGBTQIA+ community?
I continue to stay current on issues that will affect the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community and advocate to keep our rights. Oh, and I VOTE!!
Any advice you’d like to share with our LGBTQIA+ students?
ACC is a place to not only learn but also to be your beautiful gay self. Make connections inside and outside the college that will affirm and support you.
Cameron Derbyshire
Cameron Derbyshire is a Student Support Specialist. During his 6 years at ACC, he has also held the following positions: Help Desk, Intake for Advising, Enrollment Advisor, and Orientation Advisor.
Why do you think it’s important for ACC to celebrate Pride Month?
We have made significant strides socially and personally, navigating societal pressures from a young age that often pushed us to conceal and feel ashamed of our identities. It’s essential to celebrate all of our journeys and embrace who we are today, living openly despite ongoing denial and restrictions imposed by much of the world.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Recognizing the valuable contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community to the world and celebrating that we are just as diverse as any other community while honoring those who paved the way for the progress and broader acceptance we enjoy today.
How do you celebrate Pride Month?
Taking part in the Pride Parade and festivities, enjoying Lake Travis, and floating the river with friends!
How do you support the LGBTQIA+ community?
I volunteer time and resources to the Gay Straight Alliance as my sister leads the group at the high school where she teaches.
Any LGBTQIA+ resources you’d like to share (ex: books, artists, websites)?
- Out Youth Counseling – Individual counseling for youth and young adults ages 12 to 23 who cannot afford private therapy or need help finding sexual orientation and gender-affirming therapists.
- Out Youth Resource Guide – Resources guides for wellness, BIPOC, youth, jobs, and more.
- Out Youth – Many supports for youth, adults, and everyone like counseling, peer support, wellness, and more.
- Gender Spectrum – Free downloadable online resources for families, adolescents, allyship, and more.
- Straight for Equality – Information and resources that help allies understand their role in supporting and advocating for LGBTQ+.
Any advice you’d like to share with our LGBTQIA+ students?
Strive to authentically be yourself. Our community embraces a diverse spectrum of personalities, races, and beliefs. Surround yourself with those who appreciate you for who you truly are, and resist conforming to others’ expectations of who you should be. It’s easier said than done, but do your best to prioritize loving yourself.
Chelsea Biggerstaff
Chelsea Biggerstaff (she/her) is the Interim Manager for Faculty Development and has worked at ACC for 8 years.
Why do you think it’s important for ACC to celebrate Pride Month?
Queer people are everywhere and have been monumental in our country’s fight for justice and freedom. It’s important to recognize and celebrate the queer people who have made a difference in our country, in Texas, and at ACC. I am here, queer, and proud! We’re not going anywhere!
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride Month is a celebration of love. It’s a time to honor and remember those who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights and those who continue to advocate for equity. This month stands out as my favorite time of year because it highlights the spirit of the community, which knows how to celebrate inclusively and welcomes everyone with open arms.
How do you celebrate Pride Month?
I own a small handmade ceramics business called uh oh by Chelsea. My tagline is “spreading queer joy through handmade ceramics.” Usually, I am out at events like Frida Friday’s Drag Brunch & Market, Future Front’s Pride Picnic, or The Little Gay Shop’s Pride Market. In addition, my fiancé and I host BINGO nights at Captain Quackenbush.
How do you support the LGBTQIA+ community?
I volunteer as a curator for Future Front Texas, a culture space and exhibition series—with women and LGBTQ+ creatives at the front. We host markets, film festivals, pool parties, and conferences for queer- and women-owned businesses. I also support queer-owned businesses as much as possible.
Last year, I co-facilitated ACC’s first LGBTQ+ Faculty Affinity Group. This year, I helped curate this Pride Cultural Mosaic with great PRIDE events happening at ACC and around Austin.
Any LGBTQIA+ resources you’d like to share (ex: books, artists, websites)?
This year I read “Last Night at the Telegraph Club,” a coming-of-age young adult novel centering on the experience of Lily Hu, a teenager in 1950s San Francisco, as she comes to terms with her sexuality while also dealing with the prevalent societal racism toward Chinese Americans.
Any advice you’d like to share with our LGBTQIA+ students?
Listen to your inner voice and follow your dreams. Make sure to surround yourself with people who make you feel supported and valued.
Daniel J. Chupe-O’Hanlon
Daniel J Chupe-O’Hanlon (he/him/his) is a Curriculum Business Systems Operations Analyst. He has worked at ACC for 15 years.
Why do you think it’s important for ACC to celebrate Pride Month?
It’s important for Austin Community College (ACC) to celebrate Pride Month for several reasons:
- Celebrating Pride Month demonstrates ACC’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. It acknowledges and honors the LGBTQ+ community, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance for all students, faculty, and staff. Recognition and celebration of Pride Month can provide essential support to LGBTQ+ students and staff who may face unique challenges and discrimination. It signals that ACC is a safe and welcoming place where their identities are respected and valued.
- Pride Month offers a chance to educate the broader community about LGBTQ+ history, issues, and contributions. This can help to dispel myths and stereotypes, promoting understanding and empathy among all members of the college community.
- Celebrating Pride Month encourages non-LGBTQ+ individuals to learn how to be better allies. It can inspire them to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion within the college and in the wider community.
- As a community college, ACC serves a diverse student body and should reflect the values of the community it serves. Austin is known for its progressive and inclusive values, and celebrating Pride Month aligns with the broader community’s commitment to equality and human rights. Visibility and acceptance can significantly impact the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. Celebrations and events during Pride Month can help reduce feelings of isolation and boost self-esteem among LGBTQ+ students and staff. As an educational institution, ACC has a role to lead by example and set standards for inclusivity and respect. Celebrating Pride Month is a way to take a stand against discrimination and show leadership in promoting social justice. By celebrating Pride Month, ACC not only supports its LGBTQ+ community but also enhances the overall campus environment, making it more inclusive, respectful, and supportive for everyone.
What does Pride Month mean to you?
Pride Month, to me, represents a powerful and vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a time to honor the history, struggles, and achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals while also acknowledging the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance.
Ways to celebrate Pride Month?
Attend Pride events, educate yourself and others, support LGBTQ+ organizations, raise awareness on social media, attend workshops and panels, show allyship, display symbols of Pride, reflect and honor, and engage in creative expression.
How do you support the LGBTQIA+ community?
I support LGBTQ+ businesses.
Any advice you’d like to share with our LGBTQIA+ students?
Remember, you are not alone. There are many resources, communities, and individuals ready to support and uplift you. Celebrate who you are, and know that your presence and contributions are valuable and important.
To participate or nominate a colleague for ACC’s Pride Month interview series, email [email protected] or fill out this form.