Shoppers are turning to campus Pride events , and UNM’s North Campus is hosting a lively, free Pride celebration on Wednesday 24 June that puts LGBTQIA+ visibility in healthcare centre stage. Students, staff and the public are invited for film, an outdoor fair, treats and resources that highlight representation across clinical and academic life.

Essential Takeaways

  • When and where: Wednesday, 24 June on UNM North Campus, events start at 11 a.m., film screening at 12 p.m.
  • Free and open: The day’s activities, including the screening and outdoor fair, cost nothing and welcome everyone.
  • Theme: “Healthcare in Our Heritage” focuses on LGBTQIA+ representation and visibility in all areas of healthcare.
  • What to expect: Outdoor games, trivia, prizes, frozen treats and informational booths from campus partners.
  • Film plus discussion: A free screening of The Long Determination will include a production-staff panel touching on military service and medical issues.

Why this Pride matters: visibility meets health

This year’s theme, Healthcare in Our Heritage, puts a clear spotlight on why Pride on a health-sciences campus feels especially important. The celebration is about more than flags and festivities; it’s a visible claim that LGBTQIA+ people belong in every corner of medicine, research and learning.

Varina Kosovich of the HSLIC Justice, Equity & Inclusion Committee said the library aims to be a welcoming hub, and that message resonates. When a campus library leads with inclusion, it changes the feel of the whole neighbourhood , more people bring their whole selves to work and study, and that matters for patient care and learning.

What’s on the programme: treats, talks and community

The day opens at 11 a.m. with an outdoor fair that’s as much about connection as it is about fun. Expect games, trivia and frozen treats , the kind of low-barrier social glue that encourages people to stop, meet and ask questions.

At noon the UNM HSC Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion will screen The Long Determination: The Untold Story of LGBTQ+ Military Service in the Domenici Auditorium. The film explores identity, service and the medical issues veterans have faced, and the screening will be followed by a panel of four production staff members to unpack the themes.

Why the film screening is relevant to healthcare workers

The documentary connects directly to medical practice by highlighting specific health concerns and barriers experienced by LGBTQ+ service members. That context helps clinicians, students and staff better understand patient histories that can be shaped by military service, discrimination or secrecy.

According to organisers, pairing the film with a panel offers a practical learning moment: you’ll hear lived experience and production insight side by side, which is a useful bridge between empathy and actionable knowledge in clinical settings.

How the event supports campus inclusion and resources

Organisers emphasise that the event isn’t just celebratory , it’s resourcing, too. Informational booths from campus partners will share services and supports so attendees can find allies, counselling and practical help without having to search later.

David Hansen, chair of the JEI Committee, notes that visible inclusion is a daily practice. Making space for connection and learning reinforces that message and helps remove barriers for learners and providers alike. That kind of visibility can change someone’s career path, comfort with seeking care, or sense of belonging.

Tips for attendees: making the most of the day

Arrive early if you want a good seat for the screening, and register ahead for the film if you plan to attend. Bring a water bottle and wear sun-appropriate clothing for the outdoor fair , frozen treats taste better in the shade. Take a business card or snap photos of resource info to follow up after the event.

If you’re a clinician or student, consider treating the film and panel as informal continuing education: take notes on practical takeaways you can bring back to your team or clinic.

It's a small change that can make every clinic, classroom and conversation a bit more welcoming.

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