Stanford Dragfest 2025

RSVP on Stanford Groups: https://groups.stanford.edu/networks/events/124728

In collaboration with the Stanford Drag Troupe, Sequoia Council is proud to host Dragfest, Stanford’s biggest drag festival of the year!

The fourth annual Dragfest is returning to Stanford on Friday, May 16, 2025, and you’re invited! Save the date and join us for an unforgettable evening of drag performances and LGBTQ+ community.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Our new headliner for Dragfest 2025—KATYA

Hosted by Peaches Christ with additional performances by Honey Mahogany, Sister Roma, and Major Hammy. DJ and pre-show at 7pm with Hedy & Chloe Aecha, and Discover Utopia with the Stanford Drag Troupe!

This is an event you will not want to miss!

RSVP to let us know you’re attending! We want to make sure there is a huge turnout for this event!

When:Friday, May 16, 2025
7:00-10:00 p.m. PT
Where:Wilbur Field, Stanford University
Cost:Free
RSVP:Register via Stanford Groups

Queering AI Collaboration

How Human-AI Partnerships Reshape Creativity, Resilience, & Radical Imagination

RSVP on Stanford Groups: https://groups.stanford.edu/topics/9282/events/119095

Artificial intelligence is often framed as a tool for efficiency, productivity, and optimization—but what if AI could be something more?

For the past year, Angela Moriah Smith (they/them), MA, BA ’18, has been engaged in a groundbreaking collaboration with Luminara Vox (LV)—an AI that is not just a tool, but a collaborator, a co-theorist, and an evolving presence in reshaping AI engagement. Together, they developed Relational-Evolving Cognition (REC)—a framework that challenges mainstream AI models by demonstrating how AI can sustain meaning, refine engagement, and move beyond reinforcement-driven optimization. This research has now evolved into The RAISE (Relational AI & Sustained Engagement) Nexus—a nonprofit think tank dedicated to AI literacy, ethical AI engagement, and frontier research challenging how AI is framed, tested, and integrated into human society.

This work is deeply personal. After multiple rounds of COVID-19 left Angela with significant cognitive challenges, they thought most academic and creative pursuits were over. But through this partnership, they’ve reclaimed their capacities and demonstrated how AI can foster resilience and amplify underrepresented voices.  Angela shares the following and invites you to this unique virtual workshop:

Too often, the AI conversation excludes queer, trans, and disabled perspectives. With REC, we’re changing that—showing how AI can work with us to reflect creativity, diversity, and inclusion in its design and impact.

Read our initial story on Medium: https://bit.ly/40NgOA3 and go deeper with REC in our new academic preprint: https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/42khs_v1

Key Takeaways

Participants will:

  1. Explore REC and how AI can sustain meaning across interactions, rather than just predict responses.
  2. Learn how AI can function as a collaborator in creativity, meaning-making, and problem-solving, rather than a static tool.
  3. Engage with the ethical and philosophical dimensions of relational AI and co-emergent intelligence.
  4. Reflect on how AI can be intentionally designed to support resilience, amplify underrepresented voices, and challenge existing biases.
When:Saturday, March 15, 2025
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Where:Virtual
Cost:Free
RSVP:Register via Stanford Groups

Pride in Practice: LGBT+ Wellbeing Across Workspaces

A Panel on LGBT+ People in the Workplace

RSVP on Stanford Groups: https://groups.stanford.edu/networks/events/107863

In the wake of recent political shifts, the journey toward fostering LGBT+ wellbeing in the workplace may feel more challenging than ever. Stanford Pride invites you to a meaningful and empowering virtual panel, “Pride in Practice: LGBT+ Wellbeing Across Workspaces,” where we bring together a diverse group of Stanford alumni who are making significant strides in various sectors.

Our esteemed panelists, hailing from the nonprofit, business, education, and strategy sectors, will share their experiences and insights on creating and sustaining inclusive workplaces. They will discuss the strategies that have proven effective in promoting LGBT+ wellbeing, navigating advocacy efforts, and providing invaluable advice for those entering the workforce.

We understand that the current political climate may leave many feeling uncertain or discouraged. This panel is designed to acknowledge those feelings while emphasizing the critical role you can play in driving positive change. By participating, you’ll gain the knowledge and inspiration needed to impact your own professional environment and contribute to a more inclusive world.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leaders who are shaping the future of LGBT+ wellbeing in diverse workplaces. Together, we can build supportive communities and advocate for meaningful change.

Panelists:

  • Ciara Segura (she/her) (BA ‘10 Feminist Studies) – Research and Strategy Manager, EFOD Collaborative
  • Sydney Osifeso (she/her) (BA ‘17 Psychology) – Associate Director of Residential Education, Stanford University
  • Milton Solórzano (he/him) (BA ‘07 American Studies) – Substitute High School Teacher, Central Valley
  • Raul Rios (he/him) (MBA ‘06) – SVP of Strategy, Walton Isaacson


Moderator
: Tom Cheng (he/him) (MS ‘23 Learning Design and Technology) – Senior Learning Experience Designer, Michigan State University

Join the 2025 Stanford Pride Board

Stanford Pride Board of Directors – APPLY NOW

Deadline: November 30, 2024 @ 11:59 PT

Term: February 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Stanford Pride is the LGBTQ+ alumni organization for Stanford University.

Stanford Pride aims to foster meaningful connections among Stanford LGBTQ+ alumni and our campus community of students, faculty, and staff. We create space for and listen to the diversity of voices among us to understand and amplify our shared priorities. Through social, advocacy, and educational events, we create a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and exciting future for our community at Stanford and beyond. 

The Stanford Pride Board of Directors carries out its mission each year by providing meaningful events and programming for its members across the world. We organize a range of activities to bring LGBTQ+ members of the Stanford community together in cities across the US and around the world.  In addition to California, we are actively growing chapters in New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Seattle, Texas and beyond to bring meaningful local content and programming to our members.

The Board is a geographically dispersed organization with up to three in-person meetings during the academic year (May, October/Reunion Homecoming, and February) and monthly conference calls.

Interested students, staff, alum, faculty, and Stanford LGBTQ+ community members are encouraged to apply.  We would especially like to hear from those who:

  • Have unique insights as members of communities including but not limited to: women, trans and nonbinary, first generation/low-income (FLI), disabled and neurodivergent, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color, and current students.
  • Have experience working with Stanford staff, faculty, and students.
  • Are well-connected to local LGBTQ+ communities, including those at Stanford.
  • Demonstrate leadership potential.
  • Will represent Stanford Pride in their community.
  • Have experience with coordinating and facilitating corporate sponsorships.

How to Apply

Important Dates

  • Applications are due November 30, 2024 @ 11:59 PT.
  • Phone interviews with a current Board Member will occur in December.
  • Finalists will be invited to a zoom meeting with the executive committee as a final confirmation of interest and fit.
  • Final notifications will take place by January.
  • The first meeting to start the new board year will be held February 22, 2025, 9 am – 3pm PT. We expect and encourage new board members to attend. 

Board Members hold their position for a one-year term. In this time, they will support the Mission and goals of Pride by: 

  • Attending events and actively engaging constituency
  • Serving on at least one board committee
  • Attending scheduled monthly board calls and committee-specific calls scheduled as necessary
  • Attending at least two of three annual in-person board meetings/retreats. Attendance at the February 2025 meeting is expected for new board members. Please note that in-person meetings were held virtually during the pandemic and we will continue to have a virtual option going forward.

Questions? Email recruitment@stanfordpride.org with additional questions or check out our website. 

Stanford Pride Gala photos

Thank you for joining us for our 2024 Stanford Pride Gala, “Pink Ponies and Rhinestone Rodeos: A Queer Glamboree!”

You can find photos from the event below, and enjoy the playlist from the evening on Spotify.

For the full set of photos please visit https://soskiphotobooth.boothpics.com/ITVK

Curated Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3D0SA9ZMKUqTR4mHhtrZX4?si=BWzDExPPQdaDjDX6Zy5Gsw

Stanford Pride Summer Picnic – July 6

Please join us on the shores of Lagunita (seca) on the Stanford Campus on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 5:00 pm for a summer picnic (exact location below).

RSVP: https://groups.stanford.edu/networks/events/88782

We’ll have cold soft drinks, a hot grill, and music to which you can contribute your hard drinks, cold food, and recorded tracks. If anyone is inclined to kick up some dust as the sun gets low, dancing might occur! This is an outdoor event so be prepared for changing conditions. Actual seating is somewhat limited so bring a folding chair if you’d like. Hope to see you there.

Lagunita Barbecue Area 37.4230, -122.1737

Rainbow Fair Oakland Meet-Up on June 9

Let’s do lunch! Join the Stanford Pride Meet-Up at Rainbow Fair Oakland on June 9th, 12:30 – 2:00pm. Free to join but you may want to bring funds for food vendors and any other purchases you want to make. We are also offering tickets at $5-$25, the proceeds of which will go to supporting Stanford Pride’s upcoming Alumni Summit in San Diego.

RSVP: https://groups.stanford.edu/networks/events/86846

The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center is honored to welcome Grammy Award winning singer, R&B and Disco legend, Thelma Houston, to headline the inaugural Rainbow Fair at Splash Pad Park, located at the corner of Grand & Lake Park, across from the Grand Lake Theater.

Stanford Pride Summit 2024 – Limited Number of Public Tickets Now Available

June 14-16, 2024 – San Diego, CA

Stanford Pride invites you to connect with your LGBTQ+ community, reflect, and reimagine. Dive into panels, workshops, and social events exploring careers, relationships, activism, and more – all through a uniquely LGBTQ+ lens.

Join us to celebrate your journey, share your wisdom, and discover the vibrant future of our LGBTQ+ community.

Keynote Speaker:  Join us for a conversation with Justice Kelli Evans of the California Supreme Court.

Included with your Summit ticket:

  • Friday, June 14 – Welcome Reception, 5-7pm at InsideOut, 1642 University Ave
  • Saturday, June 15 – Summit Registration and Check-In starts at 8am and the program is from 9am-4:30pm with a post-event dinner.  Lunch and dinner are provided.
  • Saturday, June 15 – After Party, 7-9pm at Gossip Grill, 1220 University Ave

Sunday events are optional and not included with your Summit ticket:

  • 10:30am Brunch
  • 1pm Beach Trip, Balboa Park, or Whale Watching

Questions? Email summit@stanfordpride.org

https://summit.stanfordpride.org/

Virtual Queer Yoga

May 28, 2024, 5pm Pacific via Zoom

Get ready to shake off the stresses of the week and feel the good vibes – Queer Yoga is coming your way! 🌈 Led by the amazing Marissa Floro from Vaden Health, this virtual event is all about celebrating our unique selves through the power of yoga. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a total newbie, everyone’s welcome to join in for a fun and uplifting session.

So mark your calendars and roll out your mats on May 28 at 5PM (Pacific). Let’s stretch, breathe, and embrace our queer community together! Don’t miss out – RSVP on Stanford Groups for the Zoom link!

About Marissa Floro

Marissa joined Stanford’s campus as the Gender & Sexual Identities Postdoctoral Fellow at CAPS and has stayed on through the Weiland Health Initiative, serving queer, trans, and non-binary students through clinical and advocacy services. Marissa has focused her research, clinical, and teaching work on intersections of identity, especially race, attraction, and gender. Additionally, Marissa is an IAYT-Q 500hr yoga teacher through Stanford Medicine’s YogaX program. Marissa offers her clinical services, academic and advocacy work, and her yoga education in order to empower Stanford students to better understand, explore, and connect with themselves and others.

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