A bright rainbow-colored backdrop decorated the entrance of the Rion Ballroom, and a photographer snapped photos of incoming students and faculty as they kicked off the new school year with the LGBTQ Welcome Assembly Monday night.
The event, sponsored by the Pride Student Union, featured speeches from UF President Bernie Machen and PSU President Donnie Fields.
Fields stressed the importance of community and self-identification in his speech.
"The most important thing you can do is be visible," he said.
This year's turnout was the biggest yet, said Jalise Burt, vice president of education for the PSU, and required the event organizers to pull out extra chairs in order to satisfy the crowd.
"Our purpose is to be more visible and inclusive. We want to bring more people in," Burt said. "I like that we can provide resources in a venue that is a safe place, as well."
Refreshments were served as the crowd visited several booths set up alongside the borders of the ballroom.
Organizations such as GatorWell and University Police both had booths and representatives that offered helpful information for students.
Freshman civil engineering major Juan Camargo said he wasn't sure what to expect from the event.
"It was definitely a pleasant surprise," he said. "I really like the atmosphere - very welcoming."
