LGBT Longhorns Celebrate at Houston Pride

By Amy Madden in Chapters, Special, TXEX on July 3, 2013 at 1:34 pm | No Comments

Longhorns are always quick to show their pride, and last weekend’s Houston Pride Celebration was no exception.

The Texas Exes LGBT Network participated in the Houston Pride Celebration for the first time Saturday. About 50 Longhorn alumni, students, and allies were among the more than 400,000 who showed up to the celebration—and they had much to celebrate.

“The reason that Houston Pride was so big was because of the Supreme Court decision on DOMA and Prop 8,” says Jamie Gonzales, BA ’09, Life Member, of the Texas Exes LGBT Network. “It really put the event over the top.”

During the festival, booth volunteers passed out admissions information for high school students, transfer guides for college students, Texas Exes membership brochures for alumni, and Houston MBA program information to anyone interested.

At the nighttime parade, a mix of alumni, current students—including UT’s Queer Student Alliance—and allies from Houston, Austin, Dallas, and other cities turned up to show their support.

“I think the best part was seeing alumni faces light up when they realized that we existed,” Gonzales says. “The energy out there was great.”

The Texas Exes LGBT Network’s formation a year ago made UT history. It was the first time the University’s alumni association officially welcomed lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender alumni and friends with their own network.

It’s been a good first year for the fledging network, which has hosted events like happy hours and group volunteering in Austin and Houston. In September, the group will participate in Austin’s Pride celebration. Plans are also in the works for an LGBT scholarship and expansion to other cities.

Photos courtesy Ashlee Ivery and Jamie Gonzales.

Tags: chapters, Houston Pride Celebration, Jamie Gonzales, lgbt, texas exes, Texas Exes LGBT network