The Autism and Neurodiversity Alliance and UCA Counseling Center worked together to have a pride table in front of the Ronnie Williams Student Center Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The goal of the table was to spread knowledge about the upcoming pride walk which took place Oct. 9. 

The table was a place for people to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community and for people to feel welcomed. 

At the table they passed out free pride flags and pins to put on backpacks, purses and other bags.

The flags they had were the original pride flags, lesbian flag, gay flag, trans flag and more.

This was one of the ways they were showing support to the community.

They also had pins for allies that said “you are safe with me,” with the original pride flag and the trans flag on it.

One of the people sitting at the pride table helping support was freshman Rose Phillips.

“We’re advertising the 7th annual pride walk and other events going on throughout October for queer history,” Phillips said.

While the booth was set up they had many students who stopped by.

One of the passersby was junior Alandria Lambert.

Lambert said, “I know it as the LGBTQIA [community] and I have a good friend that is a part of this lovely community. It is just about unity, facing the discrimination against others, and being more [accepting] to people for who they are, no matter what color, religion or ethnic background.”

“Just as a whole accepting things that you don’t understand and also learning to respect one another,” Lambert said.

Freshman Connor LaFollette also stopped by the table.

“As a gay man myself, seeing that there was a table for LGBTQ pride kinda shocked me. I was drawn to the table due to my curiosity, as well as the various knick knacks and advertisers for other LGBTQ+ events,” LaFollette said. “My biggest takeaway was that LGBTQ+ pride still has a presence in UCA and that there are various support systems in place for queer students.”

“My favorite part was seeing all the people who showed up and showed curiosity and support. I also loved the little pins they were giving away, they were so cute,” LaFollette said.

Phillips said the Autism and Neurodiversity Alliance and UCA Counseling Center were trying to make the pride walk the biggest one they’ve had so far, “because times are getting so uncertain right now.”

UCA students, faculty and allies attended the pride walk to show their support to the community, which started at the Crafton Pavillion, from which the participants walked together to Old Main.