Events | GALA-ND/SMC

This page lists the various events GALA sponsors both on-campus and around the country. For events in New York City, see NYC Area Events. If you would like to organize one in your city, contact Jack Bergen, Chair at jack.bergen@yahoo.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

ND Reunion Panel Discussion: Inclusion & Diversity at Notre Dame – Join The Conversation – Saturday, June 2, 2018 – 9:00am (DeBartolo, Room 126)

As a Notre Dame community, we have an obligation to ensure that the principles of diversity and inclusion for people of all colors, genders, faiths, sexual orientations, social or economic class, and nationality are welcome and supported. Join diverse members from a variety of ND alumni communities (Black, Hispanic, LGBT, Asian Pacific and Native American) as we discuss this critically important and relevant topic. Panel sponsored by GALA ND/SMC, the Gay and Lesbian Alumni/ae of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College. To see the event info on the official ND Alumni Reunion website, go here.

MODERATOR: Bryan Ricketts ’16, ’17, GALA ND/SMC Vice-Chair Membership

PREVIOUS EVENTS:

GALA ND/SMC DC Area LGBT Alumni Social – Sunday March 11, 2018

Sunday March 11th GALA held an Alumni Social bringing together DC Area Alums & Friends. Everyone enjoyed an afternoon of light appetizers and drinks at host Bob Davidson ’76 beautiful home in Chevy Chase MD. ~ 20 people attended to catch up with other alums and talk about future events and activities in the area. DC Area GALA ND/SMC contact: Bob Davidson, Robertdcc@Gmail.com.

Fall Tailgater – Saturday September 30, 2017 –

GALA ND/SMC held our annual football tailgater on campus on Saturday September 30^th. The weather was beautiful and the Irish won easily over Miami of Ohio. Many alums, students and friends stopped by for some liquid and food refreshments.

Gay Pride Celebration – Boston – Pride Lights @ The BCA – Tuesday June 6, 2017

In partnership with the ND Cub of Boston Club kicking off it’s Alumni Diversity Program, and in partnership with the Boston College LGBT Alumni group, GALA sponsored it’s Boston Pride Event. Following the lighting ceremony, we visited Club Cafe for drinks and shared stories about Gay Pride history.

Alumni Reunion Weekend at ND and SMC – June 3, 2017

GALA hosted two panels over the Alumni Reunion Weekend, one at both Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s. At Notre Dame, the theme of the panel was Inclusion & Diversity at Notre Dame – Join The Conversation. It included members of the Black, Hispanic and LGBT Alumni communities. At Saint Mary’s, the panel covered The Intersection of Saint Mary’s Core Values and LGBT Life Today and featured alumnae covering a range of decades.

Notre Dame Panel

Saint Mary’s Panel

Chicago Alumni Social – Thursday April 27, 2017 SideTrack

A small group of us got together for a few drinks at SideTrack on Thursday April 27th. The weather was cold and chilly outside, but the atmosphere was warm & inviting inside for our group.

ND/Virginia Tech Gamewatch – Los Angeles – Saturday November 19, 2016

A small group of alums and friends gathered for a gamewatch at GYM Sportsbar in West Hollywood- this gay sports bar is SO fun. Some of you may have visited the original GYM in New York or their other location in Fort Lauderdale.

Second Annual NYC Alumni Fall Weekend – September 30 – October 2, 2016

GALA ND/SMC sponsored our Second Annual New York City Alumni Fall Weekend from September 30 to October 2, 2016. There were a number of planned events for GALA members and friends to enjoy. For a recap of the main events, go to 2016 Scholarship Benefit and LGBT Pilgrimage of Mercy. In addition, a game-watch was held at Boxers for the ND/Syracuse football game played that weekend. Everyone enjoyed hanging during the game (and even watching some of it).

Annual Football Tailgater – Saturday September 24th 2016

A group of about 30 alums, friends, students and members of the LGBT South Bend community gathered for GALA ND/SMC’s annual football tailgater on campus for the ND/Duke game. We shared football munchies, beer, soda and other assorted treats. It was a beautiful day for tailgating even if the IRISH lost the game.

LA Game Watch – Saturday September 17, 2016 – The Parlor

A group of fellow alums and friends got together for GALA’s first game watch in Los Angles for the 2016/2017 football season. It will was held at the Parlor, a very fun sports bar (7250 Melrose Ave, LA).

LGBT Student Scholarship Benefit Malibu CA – June 26, 2016

At the end of June 2016, a group of almost 50 Notre Dame and St. Mary’s alums and friends attending a fundraising event in Malibu to benefit the GALA ND/SMC LGBT Student Scholarship. Special guest speakers included ND SPB Bryan Ricketts ’18, current scholarship recipient Sam Chou ’18 and Hindsey Horvath ’04. For pics of the event go to: LGBT Student Scholarship Benefit – June 2016 – Malibu, CA

Alumni Reunion Weekend at Both ND and SMC – June 2nd-5th 2016

During the annual alumni reunion weekend, GALA hosted a panel-style seminar on both campuses featuring alums and others sharing stories of LGBT life on campus.

ND/SMC LGBT Alumni Social at Rise – Thursday May 12, 2016

Over 30 alums and friends gathered for a few cocktails on May 12th at Rise Bar (859 9th ave). Judging by the pics, everyone had a great time. As a special prize, tee shirts were given out to the first 10 people that attend including the 2016 version of “The Shirt” and GALA ND/SMC ones.

New York City Fundraiser – November 12, 2015

GALA held it’s premier event of the 2015 fundraising campaign in New York City. The host for the event was Phil Donahue, ND alum (class of ’57), GALA board member and a celebrated talk show host of The Phil Donahue Show which ran for 29 years. The event took place on Thursday November 12^th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Phil and Marlo’s penthouse home overlooking Central Park.

The evening included cocktail and hors d’oeuvres and featured a video of stories from current students and how GALA has worked to improve their experience on campus.

Coverage on Campus– A story in the Observer on Monday November 23, 2015 highlighted the evening’s activities GALA Fundraising Event For Student Scholarships. In addition, the event was featured in the December edition of The Scholastic, entitled GALA ND/SMC Supports Current LGBT Students.

Fall Tailgater – ND/ Georgia Tech – September 19, 2015

GALA held it’s annual tailgater prior to the game against Georgia Tech on Saturday September 19th. Similar to 2014, the tailgate was located in the “S” parking lot which is just south of the stadium and adjacent to Legends. The weather was great and everyone could see the rainbow colored balloons and the GALA banner from afar. Attending were a number of ND/SMC alums, students, friends and members of the South Bend LGBT community.

2015 Dooley Dinner and Award Ceremony- April 10, 2015

On April 10th, GALA held the 2015 Thomas Dooley Award Dinner and Ceremony. This year’s Dooley award recipient was Patrick Burke ND ’06, co-founder and previous executive director of The You Can Play Project , and the current Director of Player Safety for the National Hockey League.

Jack Bergen, GALA Chair, presents check to Patrick Burke co-founder of You Can Play

Patrick Burke, 2015 Dooley award winner and Bryan Ricketts, GALA board member

Fall Tailgater – ND/ Stanford – October 4, 2014

Stanford Game October 4th- Once again GALA will be sponsoring a fabulous tailgater for a home football game. This year’s tailgater will take place for the Stanford Game October 4th. Mark your calendars and apply for tickets in the football lottery. Last year was unusually warm and the perfect opportunity to show off our colorful rainbow balloons and ND attire. Come and join us this year. There is always plenty of food and liquid refreshments!