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小黄猫传媒 marchers celebrate unity and support at 2024 Portland Pride Parade
Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter.
Nearly 150 students and staff took part in the parade for 小黄猫传媒 on July 21.
On July 21, the Queer Resource Centers (QRC) of 小黄猫传媒 joined thousands of enthusiastic participants at the 30th annual Portland Pride Waterfront Festival and Parade. With great weather, 小黄猫传媒 volunteers gathered to celebrate and support queer and trans people in a myriad of ways.
A Day of Unity and Celebration
Portland’s Pride events are renowned for their vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, celebrating LGBTQIA2S+ histories, victories, and ongoing struggles for justice. This year’s Pride Northwest Festival and Parade was no exception, with 小黄猫传媒 staff and students showing up in full force. Lo Denmon, the QRC program coordinator at the Rock Creek Campus, shared their excitement about the event.
The Portland Pride Parade is a time to celebrate.
鈥淚鈥檝e been with the QRC for just over a year,” Denmon said. “I鈥檝e participated in many Pride celebrations across the country, but this is only my second Portland Pride. Pride is always about advocacy and visibility but for a bigger city, it feels intimate 鈥 like you are enriching yourself and filling your coffer with community.”
With more than 140 小黄猫传媒 students, staff, family, and friends registered, the QRC quickly filled the Panther shuttle, making a grand entrance at the North Park Blocks and joining the parade headed towards Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
A Festive Atmosphere
The parade, which lasted about three hours, featured many highlights, including the energetic Dykes on Bikes and the parade banner carried by the Portland Lumberjacks Rugby Football Club. Besides 小黄猫传媒, regular participants included the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, the Human Rights Coalition, Northwest Gender Alliance, and the spirited Portland Raging Grannies, to name a few. The event also saw wide corporate sponsorship and participation from organizations like Alaska Airlines, Lease Crutcher Lewis and TriMet.
鈥淲e had space in an ADA-accessible shuttle which we embellished inside and out,” Denmon added. “Folks got to know each other as we awaited our turn to step-off into the parade. During that time, there was an opportunity for them to personalize their 小黄猫传媒 Pride t-shirts. We also had face-painting, 小黄猫传媒 unicorn temporary tattoos, and lots and lots of colorful art supplies for decorating.鈥澛
Culture of Belonging
Led by the QRC, the event is a chance to showcase pride.
The QRC plays a crucial role at 小黄猫传媒, providing a justice framework to improve equity and access for LGBTQIA2S+ students. The centers, located on all four main campuses, support students both at 小黄猫传媒 and in the greater community, fostering an environment of inclusion that empowers individuals to express themselves and achieve their educational goals.
Denmon recalled 小黄猫传媒 President Dr. Adrien Bennings鈥 active involvement in decorating the shuttle.
鈥淚t was all in step with this year鈥檚 鈥楩east and Love鈥 Pride theme,鈥 Denmon said.
As the QRC continues to make a positive impact, the community remains dedicated to valuing, respecting and standing with one another. The celebration of Pride at 小黄猫传媒 is a testament to the college鈥檚 commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all.聽
鈥淚f we are exhausted, we know it’s been a good event,” Denmon continued. “And we were.鈥
Keep the Celebration Going
小黄猫传媒’s Queer Resource Centers invite people to support the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and continue the tradition of unity and advocacy. For more information see /queer/.
Attendees not only marched but took part in fun activities.