Peers for Pride (PfP) is a peer facilitation program of the Gender and Sexuality Center. Students will take two courses during the academic year in partnership with the Center for Women’s Gender Studies. Students of the Peers for Pride Program are required to take one class in the fall semester and one in the spring semester in their respective order.
During the program, students gain skills in applied theatre, critical analysis, and facilitation as they build the workshop “What Do Thriving Queer Communities Look Like?” Students create message scenes and activating scenes in the workshop to share skills and build space for conversation and accountability across LGBTQIA+ communities and with supporters of LGBTQIA+ communities. Students co-facilitate these workshops in classes, dorms, with student organizations, and more to build the capacity of LGBTQIA+ communities and related communities to be accountable to each other. Through their facilitation and reflection after workshop facilitation, students continue to build a knowledge of performance-based social justice facilitation in higher education and of intersectional LGBTQIA+ realities. Join us to connect with a wonderful group of people for a year-long transformative project.
- Fall Semester: Confronting LGBTQIA+ Oppression: Exploring the Issues and Learning the Skills to Communicate Them
- Part I of the Peers for Pride Program
- Course Code: WGS335, TD357, ELP395K, or SW360K
- Course Description: Learn basic facilitation skills while taking an in-depth look at some issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.
- Spring Semester: Facilitating Dialogues on LGBTQIA+ Oppression: Peers for Pride in Action
- Part II of the Peers for Pride Program
- Course Code: WGS 335-2, T D 357T, ELP395K, or SW 360K
- Course Description: Students will continue in the program to become peer facilitators and have the opportunity to fine-tune their facilitation skills and lead workshops across campus. Students must complete the prerequisite course Confronting LGBTQIA+ Oppression: Exploring the Issues and Learning the Skills to Communicate Them to be able to enroll in this course.
The program and course are open to UT undergraduate and graduate students from all majors and disciplines. Courses will count for a total of six hours of upper-division credit in Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS), Social Work (SW), or Theatre and Dance (TD). Additionally, students will receive credit for Cultural Diversity in the United States, and Ethics course flag requirements.
No experience in theatre and/or performance is required to apply and participate in the program. After students have completed the program, they are eligible to be invited for a paid opportunity to facilitate any Peers for Pride requested workshop for the campus and/or local Austin community!
To Apply: Please fill out this online application and someone from the Gender and Sexuality Center’s Education Team will contact applicants in 3 – 5 business days. Interested students must complete an application and a short assessment/informal meeting, which will allow instructors to learn more about you and your learning goals that can be scheduled in-person, video call, or conference call.
Application Deadline: During the Spring semester, the education team will start the process of reviewing applications for the next academic year. For priority consideration, please submit applications during the spring and summer semesters. The deadline to apply for the program is the start of the next fall semester.
Instagram: @peersforpride
Peers for Pride Alumni Projects:
Attend the Annual Peers for Pride Performance:
During the spring semester, Peers for Pride facilitators coordinate and perform all their scenes on one evening! Peers for Pride students worked all year to create message scenes and activating scenes in the workshop to share skills and build space for conversation and accountability across LGBTQIA+ communities and with supporters of LGBTQIA+ communities. The annual performance is open to ALL UT students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
Light food and refreshments will be provided.
Please see GSC Calendar for upcoming shows!
This event is in a building with both ADA accessible & gender-inclusive restrooms. ASL and captioning are available upon request. For any accommodations, please contact the GSC at least 3 business days in advance at gsc@austin.utexas.edu.
Request a Workshop:
To request a Peers for Pride training for your student group, class, department, or space, fill out this request form. We will follow up with you in 1-3 business days.
Back, left to right: Kristen Hogan (Instructor/Producer), Bloom Taylor, Andy Escobar (PfP Alum Performer), Linda Serna (PfP Alum Performer), Petro On (PfP Alum Performer), Stella Poitier (PfP Alum Performer), Andrea Onuigbo, Rachel Cohen, Stella Smith (DDCE Researcher/Performer)
Front, left to right: Jess O’Rear (Dramaturg), Jada Cadena (Sound Designer), Hannah Rabalais, Kiersten Ferguson (DDCE Researcher/Performer)
Peers for Pride Program has received generous support from the Jay Hollyfield Foundation and the Center for Women’s & Gender Studies.
