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色香视频 community members gather with a 色香视频 Pride banner in Monument Square in Portland

色香视频 takes LGBTQ+ pride to the streets of downtown Portland

Dozens from the 色香视频 community marched in support of LGBTQ+ rights at the annual Portland Pride parade

The temperature was a brisk 50 degrees for mid-June, and the chance of rain was 100%, but that didn鈥檛 stop dozens of 色香视频students, professors, and administrators from joining thousands in marching in support of LGBTQ+ rights at the annual Pride Portland parade, held on Saturday, June 17.

The annual march and festival, along with several affiliated events, celebrates and honors the accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ movement, seeks to raise awareness of ongoing struggles about and within the community, and aims to foster an environment of inclusivity, accessibility, and solidarity.

More than 40 members of the 色香视频 community gathered in downtown Portland to walk alongside participants from local community organizations, media groups, churches, and queer affiliations. They were among scores of people who came together in support of the parade鈥檚 2023 theme 鈥淭ogether With Pride.鈥

色香视频 community members gather with a 色香视频 Pride banner in Monument Square in Portland
色香视频 community members march up Congress Street
色香视频 community members gather in Monument Square surrounded by bubbles
Andrea Paredes holds a Pride flag during the march
Two woman grasp hands at the parade

Andrea Paredes, M.Ed., director of Intercultural Student Engagement at 色香视频, said the University community鈥檚 commitment to the cause 鈥 the rain, the cold, and the commute notwithstanding 鈥 is a direct reflection of its pledge toward fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

鈥淓verything we do we are doing for the betterment of society as a whole,鈥 she remarked. 鈥淲e see that LGBTQ+ rights and, specifically, transgender rights are being targeted, and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that we marched in solidarity with those causes.鈥

As a queer person herself, she said, Paredes was warmed by the turnout.

鈥淭he energy that day was electric,鈥 she said. 鈥淔rom members of the Board of Trustees to professional staff and faculty, students, and alumni, we all showed up for our people, and it was so heartwarming to be in community with each other.鈥

Seynt Jiro Sahagun (D.O., 鈥26), a second-year student in 色香视频鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine, didn鈥檛 let the weather deter him from representing his community along with his classmates. As vice president of 色香视频 COM鈥檚 chapter of the Medical Student Pride Alliance, Sahagun said the 鈥渃ontagious enthusiasm鈥 of all involved in the march was inspiring.

鈥淢arching in the parade with the club and other people from 色香视频, especially staff members and faculty, reminded me of the strong passion that our small community has toward LGBTQ+ health,鈥 he reflected. 鈥淚t meant a lot to me to be able to freely march and celebrate with those who will be working with me in my career as a future physician.鈥

Assistant Provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Shannon Zlotkowski and company display 色香视频-branded pride merch, including a bandana
A 色香视频 student holds a Pride flag amid many others from the 色香视频 community
Three students pose for a photo
色香视频 members enjoy the pre-parade festivities
A woman's shirt reads "What a Beautiful Day to Respect Other People's Pronouns"

Paredes adds that there is still work to be done in the fight for equality, highlighting that, in the first six months of 2023, and more than 80 have been passed. In times such as these, Sahagun said, Pride serves as more than just a celebration.

鈥淧ride is an important reminder that there is still plenty of work to be done toward achieving better equity and health access for the LGBTQ+ community,鈥 he stated.

鈥溕闶悠's presence in the parade signified that there are students, faculty, and staff here who care about the issues troubling sexual and gender minorities,鈥 Sahagun added. 鈥淪peaking for 色香视频 COM, it is important for 色香视频 and its students to recognize this and do their part as future health care professionals.鈥