Rice Pride Week is an annual celebration dedicated to honoring the vibrant diversity, contributions, and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community both on our campus and beyond. This week-long event aims to spotlight the struggles, triumphs, and cultural impact of the LGBTQIA+ community, cultivating a more nuanced understanding of queer experience. As Pride Month occurs in June, while most students are not present on campus, the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence and Rice PRIDE have organized Rice’s own Pride Week to uplift queerness on campus.

This year’s Pride Week theme — “Pride, Not Prejudice” — is a collective call for LGBTQIA+ affirmation and joy that transcends all borders and boundaries. This theme also connects to the motto of Rice University’s first LGBTQIA+ organization, the Rice Gay/Lesbian Support Group: “A Part Of — Not Apart From.” Formed in 1979, the support group was not highly visible at its beginning, yet their motto was a brave testimony in their moment. Even as the LGBTQIA+ community has achieved many historic milestones since the support group’s establishment, their motto still resonates today. This year’s theme of “Pride, Not Prejudice” continues and expands on this motto, honoring the courageous Owls of the past.

To put this year’s theme into action, Rice Pride Week offers a series of curated events — from Queer Trivia, Drag Night, Pride Parade, to the Gayla — that showcase the strength and significance of LGBTQIA+ communities, their history, their culture, and their pride. Through everyday stories, educational panels, and community gatherings, Pride Week events invite everyone to look beyond stereotypical narratives and embrace the incredible diversity and contributions of LGBTQIA+ people.

Rice University joyfully recognizes the importance of Rice Pride Week in promoting a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and visibility within the LGBTQIA+ community. The institution remains committed to fostering creativity, advancing innovative ideas, and supporting contributions that ensure the next generation inherits the resilience, sparkle, and strength to thrive.

We invite you all to join us as we come together to celebrate Rice Pride Week 2026!

Events calendar

To submit an event to be added to this list, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/Uu674oXFAMwxjfHcA

All Week

"Pride, Not Prejudice Book Display"
Fondren Library Quad Entrance
Hosted by Fondren Library

Fondren Library’s book display features LGBTQ+ books on this year's theme "Pride, Not Prejudice," chosen by Rice Pride Week committee members. (For more information, contact Jeanette Sewell at jcs14@rice.edu)

Chalk on the Sidewalk
Multicultural Center
Hosted by the Rice Pride Week Committee

Decorate the sidewalk in front of the MCC with LGBTQ+ affirming messages or doodle your heart out! Chalk will be held behind the door to the courtyard of the MCC. (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)

Monday, March 2nd

Rice Pride Week Kickoff Event
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Grand Hall
Hosted by the Rice Pride Week Committee

Come start Rice Pride Week 2026 with a celebration! Students, faculty, and staff are invited to learn more about community partners and their services, take part in arts and crafts activities, and enjoy a drag performance. Come early and receive a FREE Rice Pride Week 2026 T-shirt! (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)

Tuesday, March 3rd

LGBTQ+ Allyship Placard Training
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Zoom
Hosted by the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence

A two-hour workshop for faculty and staff to learn how to become better allies to the LGBTQ+ community. Those who attend all two hours are given a placard to showcase their allyship. (SIGNUP IS CAPPED FOR THIS PRESENTATION. Please email Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu to get notified of a new presentation date or to find a date and time for your department)

Hangout at the MCC
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Multicultural Center
Hosted by the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence

Join the AIE Student Engagement team at the Multicultural Center for light bites and conversations with community! (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)

Moody Project Wall Exhibition Event
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Moody Center for the Arts
Hosted by the Moody Center for the Arts

After a brief presentation on the history and ongoing legacy of Town Meeting 1, including an introduction to the symposia, installations, and cross-community initiatives making up Town Meeting 1978-2028, Nick and Jake will guide participants through an exercise to help begin identifying resonant stories and images. Any participants who decide to contribute or help identify stories, histories, or objects will receive a limited-edition print documenting the installation, created by the artists. (For more information, contact Lauren Cross at lauren.cross@rice.edu)

Wednesday, March 4th

Being LGBTQ+ in the Workplace Panel
6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
HYBRID EVENT: Nancy & Peter Huff House + Zoom
Hosted by the Rice Alumni Pride (RAP) Network

Alumni, students, parents, and friends are invited to join us for a panel discussing experiences of fellow Owls navigating the workplace as LGBTQ+ people. For those joining us in-person, socialize before the panel while enjoying dinner and beverages. Please RSVP here. (For more information, contact Shannon Wright at shannonwright@outlook.com)

Pride Trivia
8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Willy's Pub
Hosted by the Lavender Team

Test your knowledge on all things LGBTQ+! History, pop culture, and literature are all on the board. (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)

Thursday, March 5th

LGBTQ+ Research Panel
4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Miner Lounge
Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry

Learn about the dynamic and nuanced world of LGBTQ+ research! The Pride Committee and OURI are co-sponsoring a panel featuring lightning talks from faculty and staff engaging in LGBTQ+ research. This workshop will cover subjects ranging from LGBTQ+ research topics, engaging in research as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and reflections on queer teaching practices. (For more information, contact Lexi Walston at lw160@rice.edu)

Pride Trivia
8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Willy's Pub

Test your knowledge on all things LGBTQ+! History, pop culture and literature are all on the board. (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)

Friday, March 6th

Rice Pride Week Parade
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Founder's Court, Ray Courtyard
Hosted by the Rice Pride Week Committee

Rock your rainbows and celebrate Pride Week loudly and proudly! We will gather at the Sallyport and Founder's Court to listen from keynote speakers about why civic engagement for the LGBTQ+ movement is essential and how to participate. Afterwards, we will walk to Ray Courtyard for some light bites and refreshments. Please register in advance. (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)

Rice PRIDE Drag Night
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Grand Hall
Hosted by the Rice PRIDE

Join Rice PRIDE to experience the showstopping art of three of Houston’s premier drag performers. This event is free and open to all students, faculty and staff. (For more information, contact D'Trique Fitzgerald at ddf5@rice.edu)

Rice PRIDE Pub Night
10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Willy's Pub
Hosted by the Rice PRIDE

*Event description coming soon*
(For more information, contact Elizabeth Chen at ec83@rice.edu)

Saturday, March 7th

Gayla
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Duncan Hall, McMurtry Auditorium
Hosted by the Rice Pride Week Committee and Rice PRIDE

The Gayla provides a space where students, faculty, staff, and alumni will be able to celebrate their identities across the queer spectrum at a formal event. The event will celebrate students, faculty, staff, and organizations that make exceptional contributions to the queer community. (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)