2021 News

This year’s CU Pride Festival took place the week of September 25th in downtown Urbana. Events of the week included a clothing swap at the Art Coop, a pride nature hike at the Urbana park district, and the annual pride parade. All indoor events required proof of full vaccination for attendance, and a mask mandate was enforced for all activities.

Central’s own Spectrum Alliance had very little time to prepare for the event, and though they were unable to schedule a booth or spot in the parade, the group was still present to support community members and spread awareness. Central students wore rainbow colors to school on Friday the 24th to promote pride fest and Spectrum Alliance throughout the school. After a year of very few in-person activities like pride fest, Spectrum president Rowan Abzug shared that they felt excited and enthusiastic for more chances to spread Spectrum’s message. “The whole point of the club is to be a support group,” they said. “We want to make our surrounding area feel more supportive, and let people know that we’re here.”

Spectrum alliance meets every other Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 in the library lecture hall. All Central students are welcome to join Spectrum’s remind group by texting @chsalli to 81010. More information on CU Pride can be found at https://www.unitingpride.org/pride-2021