Houston Mayor Parker, President Leebron to mark 100 years of LGBTQ history at Rice

In conjunction with Rice’s centennial-year celebration, the Rice Ally Program and the Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality will host “100 Years of LGBTQ History at Rice” from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Rice Student Center’s Farnsworth Pavilion.

From 12:30 to 1 p.m., a brief historical presentation will highlight the journey Rice has taken in supporting and advocating for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community. Rice as an institution has made several groundbreaking decisions demonstrating its support of the LGBTQ community, such as domestic partner benefits, gender-neutral housing and establishing campus climate committees.

At 1 p.m., Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be introduced by President David Leebron. A 1978 Rice graduate and the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city, Parker will share thoughts of her university experience. The mayor will participate in a Q-and-A session and will be available for pictures with the Rice community.

Doors open at noon, seating will be limited and first-come, first-served. For more information, visit the Wellness Center’s related webpage, http://wellbeing.rice.edu/100YearsofLGBTQHistory.