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For the very first time ever, a group of faculty, staff and students from ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ attended the Annual Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Houston Gala.

The event, now in its 22nd year and representing the largest national LGBTQ civil rights organization with more than one million members throughout the country, was held at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston on Sat., April 6.

More than 1,000 people attended the sold-out celebration featuring speakers including, HRC President Chad Griffin, Educator and Advocate Chasten Buttigieg, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, “Scandal” Actor Guillermo Diaz and trans soul singer Shea Diamond.  

“This is a great opportunity for LU students, faculty and staff of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to participate in a national event so close to home, and to work for full equality for the LGBTQ+ community at our institution and at the national level,” said Imelda Wicks, executive director of the Office of Global Diversity & Inclusive Excellence at ¿ìÉ«ÊÓƵ.

Attendee LU American Sign Language student, Alex Whitney, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. The HRC Houston Gala reminded me why I don’t hold back when it comes to who I am or who I stand with.”

HRC is a bipartisan organization that works to advance equality based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity. It provides educational resources and outreach programs for corporate America as well as for all members of the general population who are committed to equality and inclusion.

Whitney wrote about her experience attending the gala. Read the Whitney's .