For trans* people, finding clothing is not as easy as taking a trip to the nearest department store. That is why, for the first time, the CU Pride Festival began on Saturday with a clothing swap, welcoming individuals of all gender expressions.

“Trans* folks have a really hard time getting clothes,” said Stephanie Skora, senior in LAS. “Our bodies are changing, and we need different clothes for different points in our transitions, if we do transition. So clothing drives are really, really helpful to find people whole wardrobes.”

Skora said they did not — and could not — have an estimate of how many people were expected at the event.

“We don’t know because it’s very hard to count trans* people,” she said. “We’re very good at hiding.”

All items were donated by the community and were completely free. Multiple workshops also took place that included topics such as legal rights, sexual violence, tolerating differences, HIV prevention, sex education and a belly dancing class.

Kari Little-McKinney has been a belly dancing instructor for more than 30 years and was excited to teach basic techniques to new dancers, she said.

“This is my third Pride,” she said. “I’m also a drag performer, so I’ll be performing tonight. My wife and I always try to make Pride every year. People love belly dance, and it’s a fun exercise for everybody.”

Chris Mayer, workshop coordinator, said she was looking forward to all of the information being presented.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to … come together as a community to celebrate how cool we are, to celebrate our differences,” Mayer said.

For Skora, the combination of the first clothing drive and parade made this year the Pride Fest’s best year so far.

“We decided to step it up — bigger, better and queerer,” she said.

Brittney can be reached at [email protected].