by Katie Foster
Staff writer
The SOSU Gay Straight Alliance attended the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade and Festival in Dallas Sunday, Sept. 16.
Six members of the organization left at 8 a.m. so they could get the best spot possible for viewing the parade, according to Lyndsey Lamar, the president of GSA.
At the festival, there were booths set up by companies that support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning and asexual and/or ally rights like AT&T and Toyota, as well as organizations that work for equality such as the Human Rights Campaign.
The floats in the parade included national organizations like HRC, local LGBTQA groups and businesses in support of LGBTQA rights and equality. Many of the people on the floats threw colored beads into the crowd. There were also motorcycles flying rainbow flags and people walking with banners.
Lamar said that although it rained or sprinkled through the entire event, it was an inspiring experience to see so many people celebrating who they are and the people they love.
“Even though I didn’t know anyone else in the crowd (besides the people I came with), I felt connected to all of these laughing, cheering people in a way that I simply cannot describe,” Lamar said.
“Overall, Dallas Pride 2012 was a terrific experience, and I’m so glad that I got to share it with the members of the SOSU Gay Straight Alliance,” Lamar added.
Staff photo by Ronald Fuquay
Students from the University of North Texas march in the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade and Festival in Dallas.