Monday’s Morning Exercise kicked off Parker’s annual Pride Week with an opening from Parker’s Pride Committee. Senior Iz Bruozis, junior Ada Collins, junior Will Ehrlich, and junior Aidan Weinberg’s presentation ran through a history of inspirational gay icons, including Marsha P. Johnson, Pete Buttigieg, Jonathon Van Ness, and Todrick Hall, each of whom has fought for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and dealt with hate and discrimination in unique ways.

Pride Committee Head Iz Bruozis called the week “extremely successful,” because the committee was able to host an event every day of the week. Events included Q&As with notable local queer figures, discussions with queer youth about coming out to their families, a queer teachers and students affinity, gay-straight alliance arts and crafts, and storytime and discussion with Upper School Dean of Student Life Joe Bruno. Each event focused on a different group within the Parker LGBT+ community.

This year, for the first time, the Pride Committee teamed up LGBT+ teachers to host an affinity meeting on Wednesday.

“It was for LGBTQ students to know that they have other resources outside of highschool and a larger support system other than students because every teacher said their door is open,” Bruozis said. “It just created a stronger bond between the LGBTQ community at Parker.”

The main purpose of Parker’s Pride Week is to celebrate the LGBT+ community at Parker and create a safe place within the school.