Students show solidarity and support of student-led business at Queer Expo

Kennady Basdekis-Morin, Staff writer|March 31, 2022

For students looking to get involved the Equity and Justice Collective is constantly looking for new members and is hoping to throw more social events in the future. To stay updated and in the know on upcoming events, students can follow them on Instagram at @steds.ejc.

On March 9, St. Edward’s University’s student-led Equity and Justice Collective organized a queer expo showcasing student and alumni small businesses. Booths lined Ragsdale Lawn covered in lively art prints, handmade jewelry and screen-printed totes and t-shirts. Students flooded the booths as they walked to and from class, stopping to support their local Hilltoppers.

“We are all queer-identifying in some form or fashion whether that is sexuality, gender identity, or self-expression,” said Al Whitaker, a third-generation jewelry designer. “We have all come together to celebrate diversity, uniqueness and to say that we are people too that make beautiful things for queer folks and allies by and in support of queer people.”

Earth Day: Flora and Fauna of the Hilltop

The members of BSA attending the event took great pains to ensure everyone felt welcome and comfortable. They spoke to those passing by the table and encouraged them to participate, and when people arrived to paint they gathered all the necessary materials.

BSA Paint Night fosters creativity and community

“As photo majors, we spend most of our undergraduate career preparing for this show,” Ariah Abla said. “As a photography and religious study major, making work that was worthy of being put on a wall and that combined my two lives was important for me; it was a mark in my personal journey and also a celebration of what it means to be alive.”

Eye to Eye: The Photographic Showcase of 6 Diverse Powerful Women

Halfway through the march, students had the opportunity to show their support by writing messages of empowerment to survivors. The notes were hung in a tree outside of Trustee Hall as a visible sign of solidarity.

St. Edward’s Community Takes Back the Night

Emily Nichols, the vice president of PRIDE, said the event was for “queer adults who didn’t get to experience prom or who didn’t get to experience prom as themselves.”

Students get their groove on at PRIDE club’s first Queer Prom

Photo Stories

Fashion on the Hilltop

A Lens Through Different Perspectives

Celebrating empowered women on the hilltop

Muse For The Hilltop

Here is Liam Molina, a graphic design major using the heat press to transfer his design to the pencil. “We hold this event to show the students how to use the heat press and we would like to see them make their own design and heat press it,” Perea said.

Command C, Command V

Comments (0)

Hilltop Views has a zero tolerance policy for hate speech of any kind. Comments that express prejudice against a particular group — especially on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation — will not be tolerated. Do not resort to violent or personal attacks, especially those that include foul language. You can disagree with a story, but libel and defamation will not be tolerated. Spam comments will not be published and may result in an immediate ban from making future comments on our site. Maintain privacy. Do not comment yours or anyone’s personal information. If a comment is determined to have violated the guidelines listed above, it will not be published. We encourage you to follow our guidelines and engage in productive conversations revolving around our stories. Please refer to our Media & Ethics Policy on our website for more information.

Share your thoughts...

All Hilltop Views Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest