Our Story

In the Spring of 2021, Cougar Pride Center’s founders started “Ally Night”, a weekly gathering of their friends that provided a safe space for discussions and activities centered around LGBTQ+ issues. As June approached, the group wanted to do something to celebrate their first Pride. They eventually decided to organize a Pride March, which was the first of its kind for the BYU community. The response was overwhelming, with thousands turning up for the historic event.


In the months that followed, the momentum gained from the march inspired the group to do more for the community. Teams were formed and the organization as we know it today began taking shape. 


Our organization has since expanded its efforts by offering ever more numerous resources and organizing large-scale events


Over the years, we have matched hundreds of people with safe housing, given away hundreds of pounds of clothing through the Open Closet initiative, and addressed other diverse needs within the community. We put on the first-ever on-campus Career Fair for LGBTQ+ and other minority students and even marked a historic moment by hosting the first-ever on-campus BYU-approved pride event. We are very proud of the work we have done, and look forward to more hard work in the future!

Our inbox is open to anyone that needs help.
info@cougarpridecenter.org

April '21 · Original flyers for Ally Night
June '21 · Ally Night
September '21 · 1st Back to School Pride Night
October '21 · Treehouse Talks
December '21 · BYU Pride reorganized as Cougar Pride Center
June '21 · Beginning of the "BYU Pride" Instagram Page
July '21 · Safe Housing Project Begins
September '21 · 1st Annual Chalk the Walk
October '21 · BYU Pride officially organized with David Shill as President
June 28, 2021 · The first annual BYU Pride March
September 30, 2021 · Collaboration with Color the Campus to Light the Y for LGBTQ+ history month
October 5, 2021 · First Annnual Pattirini Pageant, "Pioneer Realness" Winner: Lizzie McQueen
November '21 · On-campus Inclusion Career Fair
February '22 · Open Closet Begins
March '22 · Julia Sasine begins term as President
April '22 · Meeting with BYU President
August '22 · 2nd Annual Chalk the Walk
February '22 · CPC featured on Buzzfeed
April '22 · 1st Leadership Retreat
June '22 · Tabling at Utah Pride
October '22 · Strike-out Queerphobia
April '22 · Queer Artistry Showcase
June '22 · 1st On-Campus Pride Gathering
June '22 · 2nd Annual Pride March, "Radical Hope"
November '22 · 2nd Annual Pattirini Pageant, "Let Live" Winner: Jaliah J
June '23 · Utah Pride Parade
September '23 · 3rd Annual Chalk the Walk
November '23 · 1st Rainbow Chorus Concert
July '23 · Macey Gwynn begins term as President
April '23 · 3rd Annual Pride March, now called "Pride in Progress"
October '23 · 3rd Annual Pattirini Pageant "Divine Dynasties" Winner: Plexi Glass
January '24 · CPC gains 501(c)(3) status
April '24 · 4th Annual Pride in Progress
May '24 · CPC Trailer Purchased
September '24 · Juliana Raia begins term as President
April '24 · 2nd Rainbow Chorus Concert
June '24 · Utah Pride Parade