One of the many Housing Pride festival flyers in the M.UC. with information provided by host and creator Jessica Paige Loney. Photo by Chalise Miller I The All State.

Jessica Paige Loney, a senior and nursing major, came up with the idea because she saw a need for support for LGBTIA+ students, especially on campus.

The need she saw also inspired her career path in hopes of helping the LGBTQIA+ community which is why she desires to become a psychiatric nurse to help with the ongoing crisis within the community of mental health and more.

Jessica came up with an event years ago, and because students loved the event so much she recreated the previous event and decided the Housing Pride Festival would be the best way to give a voice to this community.

Jessica said,” Clarksville is a conservative area that typically does not support this community. These students and community in its entirety are at risk for suicide, depression, hate crimes, and sexual assault.”

The main focus of the Housing Pride Festival will be an opportunity for students and the community to have fun and donate to the Trevor Project which is a suicide prevention organization for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Trevor Project offers a safe space to the LGBTQIA+ because in reality other organizations, like CRISIS, may not be able to offer beneficial resources in the way this community needs.

Jessica said,” Residents deserve the opportunity to have a space where they can be themselves and feel accepted. I need students to know that it is okay to be who you are.”

The Housing Pride Festival will be held on March 22nd between 6-8 p.m. in the quad.