Gender and Sexual Minorities and Allies (GSMA) Celebration 2026
“Telling Our Story”
GSMA Kick-Off Event
Monday, October 19 | 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | In front of Lee Hall
(Rain Location: Chandler Ballroom, Cedric Rucker University Center)
Kick off PRISM’s annual celebration and join members and friends of PRISM to enjoy some delicious food (including mac ‘n cheese, fried rice, etc.), good music, get familiar with PRISM, and get pumped for the awesome events scheduled for this celebration!
Rainbow Dessert Celebration
Tuesday, October 20 | 5:00 p.m. | Restaurants at the Top Of The Cedric Rucker University Center
Cost with Campus Meal Plan: 1 meal swipe or $15.73 flex. The cost for EagleOne or credit card is $18.17 plus tax. The cost for UMW faculty and staff is $7.80. For children ages 4 – 10, the cost is $5.41, and no charge for children ages 3 and under. (Rainbow Desserts are included with dinner.)
University Dining, in partnership with PRISM, will be hosting “Rainbow Celebration” in the Restaurants at the Top of the CRUC (4th floor), from 5 pm to 8 pm. The event will feature a delicious array of rainbow cakes, cookies, and sherbet, and members of PRISM will be on hand to tell guests about their group and the programs they have planned for the GSMA celebration and the coming year. For additional information please e-mail Dining@UMW.edu Cost with Campus Meal Plan: 1 meal swipe or $15.73 flex. The cost for EagleOne or credit card is $18.17 plus tax. The cost for UMW faculty and staff is $7.80. For children ages 4 – 10, the cost is $5.41, and no charge for children ages 3 and under. (Rainbow Desserts are included with dinner.)
Creative Writing Workshop
Wednesday, October 21 | 6:00 p.m. | Chandler Ballroom A/B, Cedric Rucker University Center
Practice telling your story at PRISM’s creative writing workshop! Whether you need a productive space to yourself or a friendly writing community, this event is open to anyone with something to say. Pastries and drinks will be served, and writing materials will be provided. Laptops welcome.
Gender and Sexual Minorities and Allies (GSMA) Cultural Celebration Major Speaker: Beka Wueste
Thursday, October 22 | 6:00 p.m. | Digital Auditorium, Hurley Convergence Center
Beka Wueste is an author whose debut novel, “The Unsent Letters of Lucy Prior,” earned praise as a “deeply introspective and emotionally resonant novel” (-Kirkus Reviews) and whose second novel, “Fireflies in a Jar,” was lauded as, “original, deftly crafted, emotionally engaging.” (-Midwest Book Review). Her short story collection, “My Side of the Word and Other tales of Death, was described as “lyrical and thoughtful…. a moving, imaginative, and unforgettable exploration,” (-Readers Favorite Book Reviews) and was a finalist for the Reader Views short story collection of the year. Beka’s latest novel is “Human of the Year,” was called “a transformative novel, teeming with flawed but root-worthy characters.” (-Reader Views)
Born in Texas and raised in Virginia, Beka earned a B.A. in art history from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, and an M.A. in art history from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
Beka is also an award-winning visual artist who exhibits her work frequently in regional and national shows. An enthusiastic traveler, avid reader, nature lover, lifelong cinephile, and collector of music on vinyl, Beka lives with her husband and their rescue Shiba Inu in Northern Virginia.
PRISM Prom: Wonderland Whimsy
Saturday, October 24 | 8:00 p.m. | Chandler Ballroom, Cedric Rucker University Center
Cost information: UMW Community – $3, General Public – $5 at the door
Join us for our annual PRISM Prom! Fall down the rabbit hole with us and step into a whimsical world at PRISM Prom! Chandler Ballroom becomes Wonderland, backed by a student-selected soundtrack of delightful dance music. Don’t be late to this spectacular celebration!”
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, please contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044 or visit the James Farmer Multicultural Center website. Please email us at jfmc@umw.edu if you have any questions regarding disability-related accommodations.