Celebrating Pride Month with Durga Nagarajan, Pi Sigma-Texas (Dallas)

June is Pride Month and we are supporting and celebrating our members that identify as LGBTQ+. We’ve asked a few chapter Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, chairs to tell us what they do in their chapters to educate on LGBTQ+ matters.

“As the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion chair for the Pi Sigma Chapter, I prioritize the education and enlightenment of my sisters. As Delta Zetas, and members of the Panhellenic community, we uphold values of openness and inclusivity towards individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Ensuring that we are as welcoming and understanding as possible necessitates ongoing education.

I educate my chapter through informative segments, including presentations on significant topics. One such topic I recently covered was gender identities and pronouns. During this session, I discussed various identities like cisgender, transgender, and non-binary, clarifying the distinctions between gender identity and expression. We also explored pronoun usage, particularly the importance of they/them pronouns. As the first in my chapter to openly use they/them pronouns, it was a special moment to share with my sisters. By fostering open, honest dialogues and providing a safe environment for learning, we cultivate a space where all our members can flourish.

As a chapter, we are not just a group of individuals. We are a community deeply connected to the world around us. That’s why I share local events in our community, such as upcoming Pride Month celebrations in June. It’s about more than just encouraging our sisters to explore Pride events in the area. It’s about strengthening our bonds of sisterhood and deepening our understanding of our community.

Through these events and educational segments, I have the privilege of witnessing our sisters create even more belonging, nourish their curiosity, become a stronger community, share more generosity with others, grow their friendships, and empower themselves and our sisterhood. I am deeply grateful for a sisterhood with members dedicated to growing their minds and hearts and actively contributing to our collective growth.” – Durga Nagarajan, Pi Sigma-Texas (Dallas)