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 experiences. As Pride Month occurs in June, when 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 academic year, we have relaunched Pride Week to take place during the fall semester.
This November, our theme, “Queerly Ever After” celebrates queer storytelling and its transformative power in all its multifaceted forms across genres, time periods and media. From historical archives and literary fiction to the big screen and beyond, narratives have long served as important spaces to honor memory, subvert norms and claim agency. “Queerly Ever After” acknowledges and amplifies happy endings often denied to LGBTQIA+ individuals. Throughout the week, we invite the Rice community to engage in queer storytelling as we seek to forge more radical, joyful futures.
To put this year’s theme into action, Rice Pride Week offers a series of curated events — from Queer Trivia and Drag Night to the Pride Parade and 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 to join us as we come together to celebrate Rice Pride Week 2026!
Events Calendar
- All Week
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Rice Pride Week Book Display - "Queerly Ever After"
Fondren Library Quad Entrance
Hosted by Fondren Library
Explore Fondren Library’s book display featuring LGBTQ+ books selected by Rice Pride Week committee members around this year’s theme, “Queerly Ever After.” (For more information, contact Jeanette Sewell at jcs14@rice.edu)Platform: Sharmistha Ray, Entangled Portals
East Entrance of Fondren Library
Hosted by Moody Center for the Arts
Explore Entangled Portals, a stained-glass-inspired installation by artist Sharmistha Ray that transforms symbols and diagrams from Fondren Library’s Archive of the Impossible into artwork spanning three library windows. Drawing from their experiences as a queer, nonbinary immigrant navigating multiple cultures and places, Ray explores themes of identity, belonging and what it means to exist outside conventional boundaries. (For more information, contact Lauren Cross at lc125@rice.edu) - Monday, November 2nd
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Rice Pride Week Kickoff Event
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Academic Quad
Hosted by 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, 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)Pride Trivia
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Multicultural Center
Hosted by Lavender Team
Test your knowledge on all things LGBTQ+! Questions will cover LGBTQ+ history, pop culture, literature and more. Winners will get prizes! (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu) - Tuesday, November 3rd
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Queer the Vote at Rice University
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sewall Hall → Crownover Courtyard
Hosted by the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence
Celebrate Election Day in style! Stop by for a red carpet photo opportunity (complete with a real red carpet!) and show off your voting pride. After voting, join us for a walk to Crownover Courtyard to enjoy the Election Day Block Party! (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)Pride Week Karaoke and Gaymers Night
7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Multicultural Center
Hosted by the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence and Transcend Gaming
Calling all late-night gaymers! Join the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence and Transcend Gaming for an evening of karaoke, video games and board games. Sing along to songs by your favorite LGBTQ+ artists and enjoy a fun night of gaming and community! (For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu) - Wednesday, November 4th
Pride Film Fest
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Multicultural Center
Hosted by the Rice Pride Week Committee
Join us for a movie marathon with crafts and snacks!Movie Schedule:
- 11:00 a.m. - Playland
- 1:00 p.m. - Problemista
- 3:00 p.m. - The People's Joker
(For more information, contact Jeanette Sewell at jcs14@rice.edu)
Rice PRIDE Fundraiser Book Sale
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Rice Memorial Center, table in front of Grand Hall
Hosted by Rice PRIDE
Rice PRIDE is hosting a fundraiser book sale featuring books from its collection! Browse fiction, historical surveys, self-help books and anthologies. Stop by, find your next read and support Rice PRIDE! (For more information, contact riceprideeboard@rice.edu)Clothing Swap
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Ray Courtyard
Hosted by Rice PRIDE
Refresh your wardrobe with free gender-affirming clothing from Queer Exchange! Browse a selection of femme- and masc-presenting clothing and find pieces that help you express your authentic self. (For more information, contact riceprideeboard@rice.edu)Queer Beers
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Valhalla / Grad Commons
Hosted by QGSA
Join QGSA for Queer Beers at Valhalla! Stop by, grab a drink and hang out with fellow community members. An open tab will be available. Look for the tables with Pride flags! (For more information, contact Akiem Gough at ag285@rice.edu)- Thursday, November 5th
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Casual Hangout and Parade Poster Making
11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Multicultural Center
Hosted by the Office of Access and Institutional Excellence
Join us for a casual hangout with food and an opportunity to connect with fellow Rice students, faculty and staff! Planning to participate in this year's Rice Pride Week Parade? Stop by to create your own parade poster. Poster paper and paint pens will be provided!(For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)
- Friday, November 6th
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Pride Week Parade
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Fondren Library (starting location) → Academic Quad (ending location)
Hosted by the Rice Pride Week Committee
Rock your rainbows and celebrate Pride Week loudly and proudly! Gather in the First Floor Reading Room of Fondren Library to hear keynote speakers discuss the importance of LGBTQ+ pride and celebration.Afterward, we'll parade around the Inner Loop and finish at the Academic Quad for a post-parade celebration featuring light refreshments, drag performances, and arts and crafts!
Parade Schedule:
- 11:30 to 11:45 a.m. - Keynote Speeches
- 12:00 to 12:45 p.m. - Parade Route
- 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. - Post-Parade Celebration
(For more information, contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu)
- Saturday, November 7th
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Coming Out QRC Hangout
8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Queer Resource Center, located in Sammy's
Hosted by Rice PRIDE
Join Rice PRIDE for a special Pride Week hangout centered on the coming-out experience! Enjoy a movie exploring themes of coming out, connect with fellow community members and grab some snacks. (For more information, contact riceprideeboard@rice.edu)
THANK YOU TO OUR PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS!
Anya Tsang, Angie Arranz, Audrey Pena, Brooke Clark, Clarence Manglal-Ian, Cristy Torres, Daniela Aviles, Heather Holley, Jacob Herrmann, Jeanette Sewell, Kassy Garza, Lauren Cross, Lujan Stasevicius, Pablo Hernandez, Rosie Nguyen, and Samantha Casaverde
If you are interested in volunteering during Pride Week 2026, please contact Anya Tsang at at273@rice.edu.