Gallery • 11 Photos

(Right to left) Dana Augustin (sophomore in interdisciplinary), Anu Sivan (freshman in biological sciences), Al-Rashad Ali (senior in history and sociology), Pascale Pham (senior in biology), and Cody Eads (senior in biology) involved in Multicultural Board posing for a picture. [Mohammed F Emran | Web Editor]

LGBT Pride Festival rocked the housing lawn on the morning of Oct. 11. The festival featured two stages, a variety of musical acts, clubs and organizations, and free food provided by Dubliner Irish Pub.

The festival grounds spread across the entire housing lawn by Glades Park Towers and Heritage Park Towers, the largest and most expensive event of its kind that the Multicultural Programming Organization has ever put together. “This is the most spent on any event. We usually have one lawn, we have two now,” states Pascale Pham of the Multicultural Programming staff.

Cody Eads, a member of the Multicultural Programming team, made it a clear point that the event is about acceptance. “Come out as you,” he said. “You don’t have to conform to society’s standards… You’re perfect.”

The event was accompanied by many organizations in support of the community. Sunshine Cathedral, an LGBT friendly church, the Broward House, an organization in support of HIV awareness and prevention, the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization, and FAU’s Peer Education Team, an organization that promotes healthy lifestyle choices; and many others.

The Broward House team was very enthusiastic in the hopes of promoting awareness. When asked about the event, Rachel Konnerth of the Broward House team said, “It’s a really great opportunity to spread LGBT awareness.” William Patrick said “It feels pretty good coming here because we are promoting awareness and prevention [of disease].”

DJ Black-N-White, and Teri Catlin were amongst some of the acts and the main event was reserved for the drag artists Dee Dee Van Carter, Kyla McCray-Taylor, and Shardé Ross. The ladies put on a show incorporating elaborate dress, and singing and dancing.

The UP interviewed the artists after their performance and asked about their feelings on the event. “It’s always a pleasure to be invited to a venue that supports us as artists,” said Van Carter.

The performers were very happy to see the community coming together and building acceptance.

When asked about what they would like others to take away from the show McCray said, “don’t try to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly,” to which Ross added that “talent comes in many forms, you just have to learn to appreciate it.”

After the show a few closing words were said and the event drew to a close, however many stayed dancing and just enjoying the atmosphere the event established amongst members of the community and everyone who attended alike.