A Comfortable Friendsgiving
Photos and Writing by Jessica Harja
Over the course of the November holiday break, friends and community members of Pullman and Moscow got together with the Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center to host a new Friendsgiving for the local LBGT+ community and students. Friendsgiving has been a tradition that GIESORC took a temporary break from. Now, with the help of Free Mom Hugs (and Dads) for Moscow and Pullman, brought the tradition back this year. This year, community members brought in homemade recipes for the informal gathering. I’d heard about this through people who use the center frequently and it seemed like something that should be talked about. Dianna Whitney, a member of Free Mom Hugs, said that the members wanted to find a way to support students who may not be able to go home for various reasons whether that be because it’s too far to travel home or they may not be welcome. I treated this assignment like I would if I were working for the student newspaper: I attended the event and talked to some of the key members who put the event together like Matthew Jeffries and Dianna Whitney. Then I made sure to cover the other important details like where are they doing this and why. After that, I tried to make sure I captured images that provide a holistic understanding of the event: the cultural center, Dianna, some of the students there, and the coming together of the food and care these groups have for LGBT+ students.
The informal potluck event was held in the Elson S. Floyd Cultural Center over the holiday break.
Some of the food that members brought to the potluck included rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Dianna Whitney, pictured above, is a member of Free Mom Hugs of Pullman and Moscow said that they were a group of parents that wanted to reach out to students who may not be able to go home for the holidays either because of travel or being unwelcome at home for the holidays.
Other potluck dishes that were brought included homemade egg rolls and pies where their ingredients are listed along with them for potential allergies or dietary restrictions.
Ryan Neisess, a WSU student and tutor who works in GIESORC, made a homemade pumpkin pie for the potluck event. He said that of the past three years going to GIESORC, this is the first where they’ve done a potluck over catering..
Neisess made his pie by loosely following the Libby's brand recipe but changed up the spices to go with a spiced frosting he made to go on top.
Some students, like WSU graduate student Hannah Coker, came with friends to hang out for the night.
Bella Davenport, an event attendee, came with their mom who contributed food to the event.
Along with desserts, rolls, and side dishes, community members brought in more traditional holiday food dishes like ham, turkey, and stuffing.
Complete with heart shaped rainbow cookies, the GIESORC Friendsgiving potluck provided a comfortable way to enjoy the holidays for those who stayed in town