According to UCLA Williams Institute, about 4.1 percent of Texas\u2019 population identifies as LGBTQ+. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe purpose of UNITY is to provide an environment which fosters a sense of belonging and promote the interests of the LGBTQA+ community,\u201d the Unity Facebook page said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To kick off this year\u2019s PRIDEfest, attendees will meet at College Hall and then join in a celebratory march to the Ben Bailey Art Gallery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Attendees are invited to bring their rainbow flags and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community while marching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Killian is also a TAMUK alumnus.Killian started a non-profit organization called \u201cHow to Trans.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with the guest speakers, DJ Brainwash will be bringing the hits for people to dance to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
San Antonio Drag Queen group #HauseDeLoca will also be performing at the event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group consists of Leona \u201cLa Bruja\u201d Loca, Corona Rivera, Envy Von Chic and Patty Cakes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The drag queens will be dancing and singing along to popular tunes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the event is meant to be fun, it also has a much bigger purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Alberto Oliveira III, the Unity secretary said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oliveira also believes the event gives students the opportunity to unite and acknowledge the LGBTQ+ community at TAMUK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPRIDEfest 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… \u2018We\u2019re here, we\u2019re queer, get used to it!\u2019 Plus, who doesn\u2019t want to see a DRAG show!? Get your cha-cha heels ready!,\u201d Oliveira said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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