By John Medina, Writer
Pellissippi State Community College offers a variety of clubs and extra-curricular events for students to attend, varying from sports teams, gaming clubs, along with other social gatherings. These planned college events allow for students to meet with like minded peers and, at times, gain work experience. With the blooming of the 2025 fall semester, extracurriculars are beginning to roll out a wave of first meetings.
During these trying times, finding community as a queer student can be a challenging and daunting task. Thankfully, the Pellissippi State Pride club acts as a resource for LGBTQ+ students and others alike to find a sense of community, while also providing support in educational environments. Balancing college and work can be quite challenging, and this resulted in me personally missing out on clubs at Pellissippi State. Luckily, my schedule opened up and I was able to attend the first Pride club meeting of the semester, on Tuesday, September 9.
The meeting held a collection of students who all shared different aspects of their identity, introducing themselves to one-another and sharing their LGBTQ+ experience with the group before brainstorming ideas for club activities moving forward. Ideas like bake sales, pronoun pin making, collaborative art boards, and video gaming were among some of the topics discussed. The meeting was a joy to attend and, as a cherry on top, snacks were provided.
While in the midst of the second Trump administration spaces like this are a necessity, as resources like the LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotline getting taken down and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives are shut down. If you are interested and want to join the club, or you have questions about it, feel free to reach out to the organizers at ppride@pstcc.edu.
Interview with Pride Club Leader, Wendy Sukosd
After writing this piece, Wendy Sukosd was kind enough to answer a few questions regarding the club and future events. Here is what she had to say.
What is the mission of the pride club?
- Pellissippi Pride provides support and resources for the LGBTQIA+ and ally community of Pellissippi State Community College.
What is your favorite aspect of the Pellissippi Pride club?
- The Pride Club is a great way for a marginalized student population to feel welcome, safe, and included on campus. The members are very supportive of each other; my favorite aspect of the club is watching students who are normally quiet come alive in a space where they are welcomed and surrounded by people who embrace their uniqueness.
What event are you most excited for during this semester?
- In October, we will have Pelli Pride Fest. We will visit each campus with resources and activities to raise awareness and show support for LGBTQIA+ students.
How have you seen Pride club positively affect the lives of its members?
- College can be very isolating if you don’t know anyone and you feel like an outsider. I’ve witnessed several students come out of their shells, build friendships, and change their minds about dropping out. I have seen deep connections form between students living shared experiences. Having that support is vital for young adults who may feel unwelcome and unsafe on campus, at work, in public, and even at home.
What’s your favorite LGBTQ+ movie?
- There are so many! I recently rewatched The Birdcage. There are some problematic moments, but overall, it’s still a fun movie.
Are there any students that have reached out to you for help or advice relating to LGBTQ issues? If so, how has that experience affected how you approach managing the club?
- I have had several students reach out about problematic experiences on campus or at home. Because of this, I always have a list of resources for students. I also suggest that some meetings have guest speakers who can provide advice and support for various issues. For example, we often have counseling services visit once an academic year to discuss mental health support and self-care.
Are you a cat or dog person?
- Dog. Nothing against cats, I’m just mildly allergic.
Are you having a good day?
- Haha, yes, so far. I’m generally positive and upbeat.
Will there be any events at Knox Pride/other Pride festivals that PSCCs Pride club plans to participate in?
- Many members will attend. The club used to have a presence in the parades/festivals, and we are hoping to revive that in the future.
