On Oct. 11 and Oct. 12, the Pride Center hosted two of their Qloset Fall Pop-ups. The Qloset gives students access to gender-affirming clothing and allows them to choose the clothing without judgment.
The Qloset is part of a partnership that the Pride Center has with the Commission for LGBT People and helps provide all students with casual clothing in an environment that is safe for them to express themselves. Clothing at the Qloset is also free to help with the financial burden of changing a wardrobe to be more gender-affirming.
Bonnie Johnson, the director of the Pride Center, spoke on why this event is held.
“We know clothing — even basic items like t-shirts and jeans — can be expensive, and it can be difficult for people to browse for clothing without feeling judged,” Johnson said.
The clothing at the Qloset is divided by size rather than gender. Shopping for clothing can be difficult for people who do not fit neatly into the male or female gendered categories, so removing those gendered labels can help break down those barriers.
The location of the Qloset is also important to the event. The Pride Center is a safe space for LGBTQ students, so holding this event in the Pride Center can help alleviate some of the discomfort that can come with shopping for gender-affirming clothing.
Self-expression is important to many people, no matter their gender or sexuality, which is why it is important to give people the resources to express their true selves, such as clothing, and the Qloset helps foster that.
“We all deserve to feel confident in the clothing we wear, including our gender-diverse Vols,” Johnson said. “When considering the turbulent economy, it also becomes a way for us to meet some of their most basic needs.”
Giving students the clothing they need to feel comfortable and introducing them to a space where they feel safe helps further the Pride Center’s goals to support LGBTQ students and their success.
“At the Pride Center, we support students throughout their entire journey at Rocky Top,” Johnson said. “Our students are not able to focus on their classes and earning a degree when they don’t have a home, lack food or lack clothing. This initiative is one of the many ways we promote their social and academic success.”
Suniyah Thomas, a freshman psychology major, attended the pop-up and also mentioned why this event is so important.
“I think that it’s an important event because it gives people the opportunity to get free gender-inclusive clothing without feeling judged because it is a safe space,” Thomas said.
While this event does help serve the needs of gender-diverse students, it is open to all students. Anyone who wishes to stop by the Pride Center while the Qloset is running is free to take home any clothing that they want or need.
The Pride Center will be hosting additional Qloset Pop-ups on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Student Union room 373 for anyone who missed the October pop-ups.
There will also be more Qloset Pop-ups in the spring semester, including one for free formal wear prior to the Pride Center’s Pride Prom.
