As Houston’s pride parade made its way through the streets of downtown Houston, so did Rice University’s students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters. The parliament of owls gathered to celebrate the 47th annual event, which held special significance in many regards.
Rice affiliates, numbering 50-plus participants and dressed in decorative hand-dyed shirts, made their way to the parade route to toss beads, celebrate love in all its forms and extend a universal message of belonging.
The event was as much festive as it was a moving statement about the people who comprise the university’s population.
Ella Saime, a rising sophomore, participated in the parade for her first time and expressed her strong connection to Pride Month.
“I’m excited that I could get the opportunity to show my pride,” Saime said. “I come from a low-income family who doesn’t support this movement, so this means a lot to me to have a community who supports me.”
Bennett Reddig, a rising junior, shared similar sentiments.
“The parade means finding community,” Reddig said. “It’s valuable for Rice to share with Houston its values and share solidarity with the students. It’s a good opportunity for Rice to give to students to come together.”
The group of walkers were not the only Owls in the procession. This year, Brandon Mack ’06, an alumnus and former staff member in Rice’s Office of Admission, was recognized as a distinguished grand marshal. He was also a staff sponsor for Rice Pride during his years at Rice.
“I am incredibly honored to be named a grand marshal,” Mack mentioned in an interview with OutSmart Magazine. “It represents being seen and recognizing that my work has had an impact. Those of us who do community work don’t do it for recognition — we do this for love of the community and wanting to make a positive impact.”
Rice’s first LGBTQIA+ support group was founded the same year as the parade with the help of then-student Annise Parker ’78 who became Houston’s mayor from 2010 through 2016. She also served as an at-large member of the Houston City Council from 1998 to 2003 and as city controller from 2004 to 2010.
