According to UCLA Williams Institute, about 4.1 percent of Texas’ population identifies as LGBTQ+.
To celebrate the members of this community at Texas A&M Universty-Kingsville (TAMUK), the Annual PRIDEfest will once again be happening at 5:30 p.m. on April 17 in the Ben Bailey Art Gallery.
The third Annual PRIDEfest will be hosted by TAMUK Unity. Unity is a club on campus that invites is a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community.
“The purpose of UNITY is to provide an environment which fosters a sense of belonging and promote the interests of the LGBTQA+ community,” the Unity Facebook page said.
To kick off this year’s PRIDEfest, attendees will meet at College Hall and then join in a celebratory march to the Ben Bailey Art Gallery.
Attendees are invited to bring their rainbow flags and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community while marching.
The event will also have Will Stridde and Bailey Killian as guest speakers. Stridde is a TAMUK alumnus who will be speaking about the history of the LGBT+ community from the 1980s to now.
Killian is also a TAMUK alumnus.Killian started a non-profit organization called “How to Trans.”
Along with the guest speakers, DJ Brainwash will be bringing the hits for people to dance to.
San Antonio Drag Queen group #HauseDeLoca will also be performing at the event.
The group consists of Leona “La Bruja” Loca, Corona Rivera, Envy Von Chic and Patty Cakes.
The drag queens will be dancing and singing along to popular tunes.
Those who attend the event will also be able to eat free food and will have the opportunity to enter for a chance to enter giveaways and prize raffles.
While the event is meant to be fun, it also has a much bigger purpose.
“The purpose of the event is for TAMUK LGBTQIA+ students and allies to showcase their PRIDE of our community, to celebrate the diversity among us here on campus, [and] to be proud students while showing support for equality and inclusion,” Alberto Oliveira III, the Unity secretary said.
Oliveira also believes the event gives students the opportunity to unite and acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community at TAMUK.
“PRIDEfest is an opportunity for students to become aware of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies here on campus [all] while learning about key events that paved the way for the Gay Rights Movement… ‘We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it!’ Plus, who doesn’t want to see a DRAG show!? Get your cha-cha heels ready!,” Oliveira said.