Pride Club Provides Community, Conversation

Pride Club is a student organization run by Theo Braman and advised by Matthew Bersagel-Braley. The club provides an opportunity for candid conversations about living as an LGBTQ+ member or ally, and everyone is welcome into their community.

Their meetings aim to stay with the times, and during the week of Nov. 18, they focused their discussion on Thanksgiving. Specifically, they explored how to deal with or prepare for possible toxic environments or conversations.

Discussions revolved around how to diffuse challenging talks or arguments, or how to extract oneself from toxic situations.

Everyone shared in conversation about different solutions. Some members agreed that creating a distraction would be best, or to try and steer the conversation towards less volatile topics.

Other members thought that maybe staying out of it completely is the best thing they could do. One member advised participating in the kiddie table this year, to avoid all discussions in general. Almost everyone agreed that this was the best idea.

It’s important to understand that the conversations don’t only revolve around LGBTQ+ issues, but also include discussions about stress from school, families, or politics.

In addition, members talk about worries or excitements they have in life. It’s a place to share anything that’s on your mind. The conversation topics are endless and truly focus on what members bring to the table that week.

Theo Braman, president of the Pride Club, is here to answer any questions or “queeries” you may have about the club.

You can contact him by email at: tbrama68286@viterbo.edu. Meetings take place in the Inclusion and Diversity Center located in Murphy 579, and treats are always provided.