A pre-election forum, a panel on homophobia in sport and a screening of Priscilla opened by the Vice Chancellor are among the numerous events organised for Auckland University’s Pride Week, which starts on Monday. The week of events will begin with the official launch of Queerspace on Monday and end with the closing party at K’ Rd’s Legend Bar on Friday. All the events are open to students, staff and the public. Follow Pride Week on Facebook here For the first time in Craccum's history, the student rag will publish a queer-themed issue. Auckland University’s Pride Week is being hosted by student union AUSA, in collaboration with the Equity Office. The theme is “inclusivity”, which is also a focus of the University's lgbti student and staff network. Levi Joule is AUSA’s Queer Rights Officer and the organiser of the University’s Pride Week. He says the fact that the University is hosting its own Pride Week shows the lgbti community is acknowledged and supported across the campuses. Joule and the Equity Office have also collaborated to establish the University’s inaugural lgbti student and staff network. He says it’s growing in number and visibility, and the University should be commended for its leadership and commitment. “We’ve had such a positive response to the lgbti student and staff network, so it seems only right that we are now celebrating our own Pride Week here at the University. Lgbti research is increasingly underway at tertiary institutions, and lgbti issues are recognised as part of mainstream culture, business, politics and society. To have a week dedicated to exploring, discussing and debating these issues, as well as enjoying the Pride Week events, is a fantastic opportunity for everyone. This is an historic moment for our University.” UniQ members in Auckland Pride Parade Pride Week events: ✮ Monday 25 August ✮ Official Launch George Fraser Gallery, 3PM ✮ Tuesday 26 August ✮ Rainbow Arts Jacqui Stanford - 21st August 2014