The staff of the Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the Inaugural LOU Pride Parade so special.

We want to express our appreciation to the officers and staff of the University and Oxford Police Departments for their assistance; to university partners Assistant Director Alexandria White and Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement, the Dean of Students Office, especially Dean Mindy Sutton and Associate Dean Val Ross, Assistant Provost Don Cole, Vice Chancellor Brandi Hephner LeBanc; to the Allies and students who volunteered from the Honors College; to University Communications and the local media; Chancellor Vitter for his support via social media; Proud Larry’s, Lamar Lounge and the Oxford-University Depot for hosting events; the groups, citizens and alumni who came out to march or cheer us on including HRC, the Unitarian Universalists, Department of Theatre Arts, Water Valians for Equality, Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the Artists of Oxford, Oxford Film Festival, Oxford High School GSA, Lafayette County Democrats, the Oxford Pride Pack, UM faculty, staff and students, UM NAACP, FEMISS, UM College Democrats, and especially UM Pride and the students who organized this, Holden Hays, Charles McCrory, Spencer Pleasants, and Jared O’Connor.

Above all, we thank the inspirational Matt Kessler, who set the wheels in motion to make this happen.

When we began planning this event, few imagined the response it would elicit and we are immensely proud and grateful to be part of this community and overwhelmed by its generous, supportive and loving spirit. Thank you for making the LGBTQ community welcomed in our community.

Sue Grayzel, Theresa Starkey and Kevin Cozart

Sarah Isom Center, UM