University Housing Services is proud to announce acclaimed poet, comedian, public speaker, and actor ALOK (they/them) as our special guest for the Indian and LGBTQIA+ Cultural Dinner on Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m. in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center.
Illinois State University’s Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality will cater the dinner and feature a variety of Indian cuisines. Tickets for the dinner are available online for $25. Meal plan holders may use a meal swipe to make a reservation in exchange for one meal. Tickets will be available until March 21 or until the event is sold out.
ALOK’s dynamic presence has captivated audiences in over 40 countries, selling out shows including Edinburgh Fringe Festival and London Soho Theatre and headlining numerous Just for Laughs Festivals. ALOK can currently be seen in Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda comedy special on Netflix and took center stage at the Netflix is a Joke Festival in Los Angeles in May 2024.
The docu-short ALOK, which made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, follows ALOK’s compelling performances in the films Absolute Dominion and Complicated Order, coupled with their roles in television series like Sort Of, Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, and Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne.
ALOK’s literary works Femme in Public, Beyond the Gender Binary, and Your Wound/My Garden have garnered global recognition. Their relentless advocacy for LGBTQ rights and the dismantling of traditional fashion norms have garnered them accolades, including the ACLU Centennial Bill of Rights Award. As the visionary behind #DeGenderFashion and the Creative Partner for UGG’s eagerly anticipated 2024 Pride collection, they are pioneering a transformative era in fashion. Their leadership is paving the way for a fashion industry that celebrates unbridled personal expression, championing a culture of inclusivity and the celebration of unique identities.
The Indian and LGBTQIA+ Cultural Dinner is sponsored by the Office of the Provost; the Association of Residence Halls; and Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality.