Mount Holyoke College supports the TGNC community

We are sharing disheartening news on this, the first day of Pride Month, a time of celebration, awareness and visibility that we commemorate at Mount Holyoke each June. The College is aware of reports on social media, including Fizz, of a transphobic banner that was allegedly hung by Mary Lyon’s grave on campus. We are actively investigating this incident. If you have any firsthand knowledge –– such as having seen the banner in person or knowing where it might be now — please contact Public Safety and Service at 413-538-2304 or submit an anonymous witness form.

We are also aware of reports regarding transphobic stickers with QR codes at various locations on campus; an investigation into this matter is also active and ongoing. Again, we welcome any information anyone might have to assist Public Safety and Service.

During Pride Month, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, commemorate historical events and advocate for equity and justice. Incidents such as these remind us that this work remains urgent and unfinished.

Mount Holyoke College is proud to be the leading gender-diverse women’s college. The College and the Alum Association reject all forms of transphobia and we welcome, affirm and support the transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) community. We stand firmly with our TGNC students, faculty, staff and alums.

Tomorrow, June 2, at 7 pm we will host a virtual healing space for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and trans+ community members to gather for informal connection and healing. Thursday, June 5, at noon, we will host a virtual healing space for TGNC community members. Spaces will include a dialogue facilitated by Director of LGBTQ+ Initiatives and Resources J.T. Martin and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Kijua Sanders-McMurtry. We also invite TGNC community members to visit our TGNC resources page.

Throughout June, Mount Holyoke and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will host events and programs to celebrate Pride and provide further resources for learning and engagement. Please periodically visit the Pride channel on the College’s events calendar as programming will be added as details are finalized. We encourage you to participate, show your support and build community as we continue to affirm our commitment to inclusion and respect for all.