Purdue Employee Pride offers resources, community for LGBTQ+ employees

Purdue Employee Pride is an employee resource group open to all staff, faculty and graduate student employees at Purdue. Supported by the Office of the Provost’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion, Purdue Employee Pride strives to make campus a welcoming place for all LGBTQ+ employees by supporting campus policies and hosting a range of events.

While other related groups such as Pride Lafayette Inc. and the Purdue LGBTQ Center for students also serve the LGBTQ+ community, Purdue Employee Pride focuses on the specific experience of being a University staff or faculty member by taking a holistic approach to campus culture.

“We’re working with campus administration to consider how we can make Purdue a top destination for LGBTQ+ employees,” says Maekin Smith, president of PEP. “We want the University to be a welcoming place. PEP offers an organized way for employees to communicate their observations and concerns to the University, which helps and protects everyone.”

In addition to helping employees navigate issues associated with employment and campus policy, PEP aims to provide a central place for employees seeking queer social spaces and communities.

“We want people to be able to find and support each other,” Smith says. “It’s already hard to meet people as an early- or mid-career employee. We don’t want LGBTQ+ employees to arrive on campus without a way of getting in touch with members of the community.”

PEP builds community through a variety of social, supportive and informative events. In addition to offering public events open to queer individuals and allies, the group also makes sure to reserve time for LGBTQ+ individuals to share their experiences with each other in more private settings.

The PEP board is currently making plans for upcoming events, which will include a back-to-campus social in September. After a year of virtual events and significant board member turnover, Smith says, the group is currently recruiting for its board of directors and general membership.

“We have an opportunity to rebuild this organization to reflect what the current population needs and wants from this type of group,” Smith says.

To learn more or to join Purdue Employee Pride, email employeepride@purdue.edu, visit the PEP website, or follow the group on Facebook. Anyone interested in hearing about PEP or relevant community events may subscribe to the PEP monthly newsletter.

Writer: Christy McCarter, mccarter@purdue.edu