President Milliken and UCOP Pride members gather for a group photo on the Franklin Building 5th floor patio during the UCOP Pride Ice Cream Social.

On Wednesday, June 10, President James B. Milliken joined the Oakland UCOP community for an ice cream social sponsored by UCOP Pride.

As the crowd enjoyed frozen treats on a warm sunny day, President Milliken hailed the Pride Ice Cream Social as UCOP’s unofficial way of kicking off the summer season.

President Milliken referenced the late Barney Frank, the first openly gay member of Congress who passed away in May. When discussing his own identity and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, Rep. Frank often quoted the three questions from Hillel the Elder, the great Jewish moral and intellectual leader. President Milliken echoed those questions.

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, who am I? And if not now, when?

“This month, we recognize the history, the achievements, and the strength of LGBTQ+ individuals — and all those who have asked those questions of themselves in an effort to achieve equality, justice, and what we all deserve: to live meaningful lives as who we are.”

Chase Fischerall of UCOP Pride’s Steering Committee followed President Milliken’s remarks. After sharing some sobering statistics about attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, Chase ended with a powerful reminder: “As a part of UC, you are in an important position to signal every day in every way you can that you intend to make this public university system not just a safe space for LGBTQ students and community, but a strong, thriving space where real people can exist and real ideas can be discussed.”

About UCOP Pride

UCOP Pride is an employee resource group open to all UCOP employees interested in advocacy, education and community building for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, genderqueer, agender, asexual and non-binary communities and allies — within UCOP and beyond.

Learn more at ucop.edu/pride.

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