Gators at Boston Pride: Joy, Visibility, and Belonging
On June 14, members of the New England Gator Club® gathered near the Public Garden to take in the 2025 Boston Pride Parade - a celebration of love, identity, and community.
This was the first time our club has formally attended a Pride event, and it won’t be the last. With three board members and two guests in attendance, we showed up in Gator style: UF rainbow flag capes, LGBT Collab shirts, and plenty of cheering from the sidelines as the parade made its way past.
Check out our LGBT Collab shirts here.
A Joyful and Defiant Energy
The atmosphere was both celebratory and charged: there was a real sense of joyful resistance given that the parade coincided with the national No Kings protest. Parade floats featured music, dancing, and giveaways, while many signs, slogans, and performances also echoed a collective call for justice, safety, and inclusion.
As huge lovers of public transit, our favorite float was a giant rainbow MBTA bus, complete with a horn-honking driver keeping time with the music. We also saw several “gay senior citizens” groups dancing their hearts out, and were thrilled to spot Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Senator Ed Markey marching in the parade.
After the festivities, our group headed over to the Dubliner, where we ran into the leaders of the Arkansas Alumni Club and swapped stories. Pride may be a celebration, but it’s also a bridge-builder, and we were reminded of just how strong and connected the Gator Nation® really is.
Why Pride Matters to Us
As a Gator Club®, we are committed to building a community where all Gators feel welcome, supported, and celebrated, both at our events and beyond. Pride is about visibility, and we’re proud to be a visible, vocal ally to our LGBTQ+ alumni and friends.
This year’s parade made it clear: joy is powerful, and community matters. We’re here for it, and we’ll be back.
✨ What’s Next?
We plan to continue showing up for LGBTQ+ Gators all year long, with future Pride-aligned events and inclusive programming. If you’d like to help shape that vision, we’d love to hear from you.
Want to get involved or bring your ideas to the table? Reach out here or check out our About Us page to learn how you can join the board or volunteer at an upcoming event.