A group of more than 50 Rice University community members banded together to brave the heat and show their spirit in this year’s Houston Pride Parade June 29.
Donning unmistakable tie-dye shirts and tossing out beads and glow necklaces, the walking group took part in the third-largest pride event in the country and among the top 20 internationally. It is also the second-largest event held in Houston annually, just behind RodeoHouston.
“It’s a great turnout, it’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, and I think this is a wonderful way for us to celebrate all of our diverse identities, diverse sexual orientations and gender identities that we have here on campus and in our community,” said Kendall Toarmina ’10 ’17, board chair of Rice Alumni Pride. “I’m really proud of the university for all of the support that they’ve given us, and I am really inspired to see how many students are out celebrating and are enjoying the day.”
Toarmina has walked in the parade 10 times and recalls the excitement she experiences each year.
“One thing I love about the parade is that amazing feeling you get being in it,” she said. “All of the spectators cheering for you and getting to wave and throw things to them … it does feel really special. ... It’s been a really wonderful journey getting to see how this tradition continues.”
Rice supports the many different people who form its faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters, including those who belong to the LGBTQ+ community. It offers resources for the queer community including Rice PRIDE; the Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality; oSTEM; Rice Business Out & Allied; Rice Alumni Pride; the Queer Resource Center and the Rice Queer Graduate Student Association.
