Signature Programs are events and opportunities that you can get excited about year after year with our office, as these events are held regularly (generally annually) and provide high-impact opportunities to get involved, connected with other Roos, learn about shared history and experiences, and advocate for yourself and others! Take a look below to see a peek at our Signature Programs and get excited for the year ahead! Wanting to get started with other programs and events? Check out our Roo Groups page to get registered for all sorts of exciting events, programs, and opportunities!
All programs below are listed in order of their usual scheduling throughout the academic year (August-July).
LGBTQIA Programs & Services is dedicated to serving all Roos and continually works towards improved access for all of our programming. If you have a question or concern about access at a program, or need to connect with our staff about an event accommodation, please contact us using any of the methods at the bottom of this page.
The Roo Welcome Ice Cream Social takes place during the first week of the Fall Semester. In collaboration with the LGBTQIA+ student organizations, community organizations, and campus partners, LGBTQIA Programs and Services hosts an information fair with free ice cream and other giveaways. Join us on the University Walkway to make new friends, reunite with old ones and start your semester off right.
Thursday, August 22, 2024
11 am–1 pm
UMKC University Walkway
October is celebrated at LGBTQIA History Month across the world, separate from June's Pride Month (which commemorates the Stonewall Riots), this month gives our community a chance to learn more about our shared histories and culture. Throughout the month, our office offers additional educational programs and events to help our community make better sense of the long history of LGBTQIA folks, in Kansas City and beyond.
History Month begins on October 1 and we celebrate throughout the month.
The Pride Luncheon is an annual fundraiser and celebration of our community on campus and the ways that it takes so many individuals and groups across the KC-Metro to support our students. This event, hosted by External Relations and the Pride Luncheon Chairs and supported by LGBTQIA Programs & Services, is open to students who register to attend, all other registrations must be made through the event page, hosted by UMKC External Relations.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
11:30 am-1 pm
Student Union 2nd Floor
Sign up for the Pride Luncheon here
National Coming Out Day is a chance for all of us to reflect on the process of coming out and what it means both to LGBTQIA people broadly and to each of us individually. Our celebration might change every year, but our support of our community, both those able to be out and those unable to be, does not change.
Friday, October 11, 2024
11 am-1 pm
Student Union 2nd Floor
MBLGTACC (The Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Asexual College Conference) is one of the last remaining regional conferences that centers, supports, and engages with LGBTQIA college students. Every year, through partnerships between our office and others on campus, we are proud and excited to take a limited number of students to MBLGTACC, in person, for little to no cost for the student. If you are interested and have questions, please reach out to our office or attend the informational session early in the semester.
October 25-27, 2024
Marquette, MI
Sign up to attend MBLGTACC here
Transgender Week of Celebration provides an opportunity for our community to celebrate and cherish our transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, and gender diverse siblings through centering joy and community throughout the week. Stay tuned to Roo Groups to see what events and programs will take place this year.
For 2024, Transgender Week of Celebration starts on November 18
Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed internationally on November 20 each year. At UMKC, we host a vigil, accompanied by a reading of the names of those lost in the past year due to anti-transgender violence. Participants are also invited to speak about what this day means to them and how transphobia affects our communities.
Support resources are provided at the end of the event.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
4 pm-7 pm
Stressed from getting ready for finals? Take a break and join us for some fun bingo with fabulous hosts while we dismantle stereotypes and misconceptions around HIV/AIDS. Between rounds of bingo, take some time to learn more about PReP and PeP, HIV prevention strategies and resources, the lasting impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, get connected to free and confidential HIV testing, and help us break down the stigmas around living with HIV. This event is open for all UMKC students, there is no purchase necessary and the games are only for fun!
Monday, December 2, 2024
3 pm-5 pm
Student Union Starbucks Stage
Valentine's Day can be tough for many LGBTQIA folks, especially when they don't see themselves reflected in our celebrations of Valentine's Day. Our office makes sure that everyone can get in on the fun of telling others how you feel with inclusive Valentines and Valentine's Day activities.
The following day, February 15, we get to celebrate Palentine's Day where we celebrate our ASPEC community and the many ways to express friendship and intimacy that exist outside of allosexual and alloromantic relationships!
Friday, February 14, 2024
Monday, February 17, 2024
UMKC's Pride Month takes place in April and consists of several student-planned and led events throughout the month. It's a time for education, reflection, action and pride.
We will post the Pride Month calendar in the Spring.
The LGBTQIA+ Ally Photo is an annual event where students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in a photo to show visible allyship to the community. The photo is hung in the Rainbow Lounge and posted on the website and on social media.
April 2024 Date TBA
In May, we join colleges and universities across the country in celebrating the successes and achievements of our LGBTQIA+ community. Lavender Graduation was created to honor these students’ successes, and we hope all Roos can look forward to joining us for our annual Lavender Graduate Banquet including Pride Awards. We invite all students, faculty and staff to join us for this evening of celebration!