April is known as “Gaypril” on college campuses. Gaypril encourages campuses to welcome pride, diversity and inclusion. At Baker University, Frankie Beydler and Dylan Price gave their personal insights into the LGBTQIA+ community on campus, where students are coming together to recognize and celebrate their identities.

“Gaypril is an LGBTQIA+ celebration since we are not in school during Pride Month in June,” said Beydler.

Beydler and Price oversee the Total Equality Alliance Club (TEA) as president and vice president, respectively. The club promotes a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students. Throughout Gaypril, TEA will be hosting several events consisting of a talent show, informational tabling, and other campus-wide community events.

Celebrations like Gaypril can provide opportunities to students for new connections.

“It’s great way to meet new people, build connections with people who have similar ideas,” Beydler said. “Students who are not part of the LGBTQIA+ community can also get involved in TEA by showing up to meetings hosted every other Wednesday.”

TEA is an accepting club where “students have different identities, and its a nice safe place to talk about what you’re going through or when learning your identity,” Price added.

TEA will be tabling in Harter Union on Friday April 24, for Lesbian Visibility Day. The club will also be taking a field trip to Hamburger Mary’s in Kansas City, Mo., to see a drag show on April 26.