Office of Community and Belonging
PRISM
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Located within the Office of Community and Belonging, the PRISM Resource Center is a hub for initiatives on campus that support students who identify as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community at Southern Miss. We provide educational resources, training opportunities, and programs that support students of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
Annual PRISM Events
| Second Chance Prom | In collaboration with SAGE, Second Chance Prom gives students the opportunity to attend prom without restrictions. This formal event includes music, catering, themed decorations, and live performances. Second Chance Prom is open to all USM students, faculty, staff, and administration, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation |
| National Coming Out Day |
October 11 is nationally recognized as National Coming Out Day. PRISM celebrates by holding tabling and social events to bring awareness to National Coming Out Day and the coming out process. Through these, PRISM aims to create an opportunity for LGBTQ+ students and allies to connect with each other and to feel a sense of peer and institutional support. |
| Spill the Tea | Spill the Tea is a series of educational events hosted by PRISM, with each event being unique in setup and topic. Spill the Tea sessions may range from meet and greets with faculty and staff, lectures on LGBTQ+ topics, student-led discussions on current issues, creative activities, and more |
| PrismFest |
PrismFest is PRISM's end-of-the-year celebration full of music, games, activities, food, and fun! All USM students, staff, and faculty are invited to join in on the festivities and celebrate the end of the school year with PRISM. |
The Spectrum Center
PRISM supports and frequently partners with The Spectrum Center (TSC) in Hattiesburg, MS. TSC fosters a supportive, educational, and active community that is open, safe, and inclusive to all. The center is a resource and advocate for full inclusion and empower of those affected by prejudice and discrimination, and it defends and demands human and civil rights secured by law for members of the LGBTQ+ community.