UWindsor’s Campus Pride Centre is “Needed Now More than Ever”
Nestled between hallways on the CAW Student Centre’s second floor, away from the usual traffic of students and faculty, is a turquoise room decorated with an array of flags, art, posters, and chalkboard doodles. The “big light” on the ceiling stays off; the space is lit only by a few warm-bulbed lamps, a strip of LED lights, and a large window overlooking the Freed-Orman Centre.
For the students who choose to spend their free time here, this room is more than just a cozy hangout spot: it’s a refuge.
This is the Campus Pride Centre, one of six total Service Centres operated by the UWSA. It specifically caters to the university’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community by offering a space free from discrimination or judgement.
“I love the Pride Centre because of the community,” said one visitor, who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s comforting to know that there’s a space on campus where you’re surrounded by friendly, like-minded people that will support you. That is needed [now] more than ever in our current world.”
A banner advertising the Pride Centre reads: “A unique place for positivity, privacy, and pride! Come see for yourself! Room 260, 2nd Floor CAW Student Centre, campuspride@uwindsor.ca
All UWSA Service Center are staffed by student volunteers and one paid coordinator. Both positions are contractual to prevent stagnation; any student can apply for the coordinator role when the academic year ends, and volunteer applications open at the start of each semester.
The 2025-2026 Pride Center coordinator is Sam Starks-Marchand (she/they/it), a third year undergraduate student in the Honours Thesis Psychology program.
“I started working with the Pride Centre because, being a Queer woman, I wanted to work in a specifically Queer-centered space and give back to the community that I love,” Sam told the Lance.
“I didn’t grow up in an accepting town, and being an Indigenous woman on top of that didn’t really help. But being able to see this community thrive and grow has been so fulfilling for me.”
Sam Starks-Marchand in front of the Demisexual Pride flag at the Campus Pride Centre
Sam and their team of twenty volunteers work collaboratively to run and maintain the Pride Centre. Volunteers choose to join one of three committees that oversee different areas of the Centre’s operations, from editing social media posts to assisting with research and advocacy.
“I really enjoy being on the EDI & Engagement committee,” said Tabitha Monaco (she/her), who has been volunteering with the Pride Centre for two years. Her committee helps plan the centre’s events and create its educational resources.
“It allows me to expand my own knowledge about Queer history and share it with others.”
For its visitors, the Pride Centre offers free chest binders, clothes, and pronoun pins; pamphlets on everything from local mental and physical healthcare resources to gender-neutral washroom locations on campus; and access to community while ensuring privacy and safety.
“We’re more of a hidden [Service Centre] because of privacy reasons,” Sam explained.
“Being in a space that’s out of the way encourages people to engage with the community without having to out themselves.”
A chalkboard sign points the way to the Campus Pride Centre
The newest addition to the Pride Centre’s resources has been Queer Peer Support, which is held weekly and led by a volunteer student facilitator. Each drop-in session focuses on a certain discussion topic related to the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience, like coming out, living with intersecting identities, and navigating discrimination.
Sam wants the greater campus community to know that everyone is welcome at the Pride Centre and their events, from allies looking to support their peers, to those interested in learning more about 2SLGBTQIA+ history and identities.
“You are welcome in this space, it does not matter who you are or how you identify. Queerness isn’t one-size-fits-all. It never has been.”
The Pride Centre hosted an Art Show in the CAW on March 18th to showcase local 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, as well as a Safe Sex Trivia Night in collaboration with Prevent, Resist, Support and the Womxn’s Centre on March 23rd.