AUSTIN, Texas — Austin ISD invited staff and families to a Pride event at Eastside Early College High School Saturday in an effort to show solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people in the community.
District officials said they hope events like this will foster a safe and supportive environment across campuses in Austin. Saturday's event was part of AISD's "Pride Week," an annual event incorporating "themed, educational and inspiring topics such as Pride history and creative expression."
Austin ISD student Errianna Moran is happy the district is hosting events like this one. She remembers how hard it was for her in middle school.
"It's been a rough ride," said Moran. "I came out in middle school, so a lot of people didn't accept me for who I was. I did have friends who did support me."
Because Moran knows what it's like to navigate these waters alone, she decided to start a Gender and Sexuality Alliance club at her high school.
"You don't have to be scared," she added. "I just wanted people to know that it's okay to freely express yourself if you're not fully out of the closet."
However, this year's Pride Week was met with some controversy. Earlier this week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged the district’s sexual education curriculum, which he said is a decision that rests with parents, despite Austin parents and guardians having the choice to opt their students out of those courses.
"I know that there's a lot of differing perspectives on this celebration," said Christina Burbank Shelton, special projects coordinator at Austin ISD. "The bottom line is we are here to make kids feel safe, supported and included in Austin."
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: