Gaypril Picnic Brings Pride to Spring

Pride Month is celebrated by many in the Poly community, but with end-of-year activities and Commencement, it’s difficult to plan a June celebration that everyone can attend. This year, the Rainbow Roots LGBTQ+ Family Affinity Group and the Upper School Queer-Straight Alliance (QSA) student affinity group hosted the first annual Gaypril Picnic, bringing together nearly 50 students, family members, faculty, and staff on April 19.

Led by Rainbow Roots co-chairs David Wang and Kevin Otsuka P ’31, ’32, Jasmine Quixote P ’29, and QSA Advisors and Upper School librarians Nora Murphy and Natalie Mattox, the group began planning in January with a visit to a QSA meeting asking students what they wanted to see at the picnic.

Overwhelmingly, the students asked for a drag performance, along with karaoke, crafts, and boba. The organizers delivered, bringing local drag persona Hummingbird Meadows, who usually performs at the historic Boulevard gay club in Pasadena, to campus to partake in festive drag bingo and a few dance numbers. David and Kevin also brought lychee jelly tea drinks. Families contributed to the potluck with baked goods, a member of Brave Trails Summer Camp brought costumes and flags, and the students used the AV system to belt out numbers from Mamma Mia.

“I felt glad to organize the picnic so that I could be there for the kids to help them celebrate Pride and open their eyes to what it means to be free, build inner-confidence, and be with people who have similar interests,” said David. “For me, it meant they could experience a day of happiness, being carefree, and who they are.”

As the afternoon began, families mingled around the snacks table while Upper School students spread out on picnic blankets around Arden Lawn. Jasmine started off the afternoon by welcoming attendees and stressing the importance of community and togetherness during difficult times. Director of DEI Michaela Mares-Tamayo ’99, P ’33 also expressed her joy at the celebration coming together. 

When Hummingbird Meadows began her dance numbers, students gingerly clapped their hands along to the music. By the end of the event, the crowd was on their feet dancing, and many twirled alongside Hummingbird. The group played eight rounds of bingo with special prizes, including tea towels and tumblers, and the grand prize: a set of the Heartstopper books. 

“The picnic was fun and uplifting. It was a space for families, students, faculty, staff, and friends to celebrate our school community,” said Kevin. “It was nice to see students enjoying activities and celebrating the seniors who will be moving on soon. We caught up with friends in our Rainbow Roots LGBTQ+ Family Affinity Group and met new friends who we otherwise might not have met if we didn’t attend.”

Rainbow Roots was founded in 2024 and has quickly become an important affinity group for the Poly queer community, hosting fun events like an outing to a WNBA game. On the horizon, they will host a family social this spring, as well as a two-part workshop on May 30th for youth and caregivers on navigating these challenging times with speakers Sonali Kolhatkar, host of “Rising Up With Sonali,” and Sonali Kohli, author of Don’t Wait: 3 Girls Who Fought For Change And Won. They hope to collaborate with more Poly organizers to further bring LGBTQ+ awareness to campus.

“Next year I’m hoping that it will be even bigger and better,” said David. “With the right timing with Gaypril, I know we can bring everyone together.”