Rainbow colored flags and confetti poppers waved in the October breeze at FAU’s first annual PrideFest, an event meant to promote gay acceptance in today’s society.

On Oct. 5, members of FAU’s Multicultural Programming (MP) and Lamda United (LU) marched down Dade Avenue in celebration of Boca campus’ LGBTQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and allies) community.

Both groups wore bright teal T-shirts designed to promote the idea of acceptance and equality among people of all sexualities. Students and staff chanted “Our voices will be heard!” and other words of encouragement as they walked from the S.E. Wimberly Library to the Breezeway’s Traditions Plaza courtyard.

Inspirational speeches and music from OwlRadio echoed down the Breezeway. “This is going to be awesome! We’ve planned this for so long … we even designed shirts for this event”, said Kristina Fritz, associate directer of MP. LGBTQA T-shirt booths were set up and the free fried chicken, pizza, soda and homemade rainbow cupcakes drew in hundreds of students.

Frank Gorritz, senior student and first-year president of Lamda United, took center stage at the event. He shared an original poem of peace and acceptance, and spoke of Lamda United’s mission to “become activists and creators of events that challenge diversity, pride and dismantle any fear or phobia of the LGBTQA community”.

LU and MP had high hopes for PrideFest. “Without a doubt, PrideFest could be an important component of FAU’s effort to create equal opportunity and allow for more effective local advocacy. The event is for everyone. It’s celebrating one’s pride for being Owls…It’s celebrating who you are as a person,” said Dorothy Daniel, Secretary of MP.

To learn more about Lambda United, visit their Facebook page. For infomation on Multicultural Programming, visit their FAU web page.

This story was updated 10/9, 9:45 p.m. due to a mistake in copy.