Come join the celebration! June 28, 2008 marks 30 years of GLBT Pride in Houston. Featuring a colorful disco theme, Pride 2008 reminds us that for the past 30 years, and into the distant future, We Are Family!

The 2008 Pride Celebration will feature the traditional Parade down Westheimer, between Dunlavy and Crocker. The 2008 Houston Pride Parade is the largest in the southwest, and the only one held at night, starting promptly at 8:45 PM. At night, the Parade takes on a new dimension. A spectacular fusion of light and sound, the resonant excitement of thousands of energized celebrants fills the air. Want more information? For general Parade info, click *here*. If you wish to participate in this year's parade, click *here* for the online application.

Prior to the Parade, you can enjoy the 2008 Houston Pride Festival. Admission is FREE! The funs starts 12 PM, and continues until 7 PM, so you'll still have plenty of time to find a good spot to enjoy the Parade! Win great prizes playing carnival games, take your pick of clothing, accessories, one-of-a-kind GLBT souvenirs, and gifts for every taste! While you shop, enjoy the best summertime foods and relax in the refreshing Pride Oasis. Or party, dance, and take in select entertainment at your choice of 2 Stages. Click *here* for more Festival information. If you'd like to set up a booth or become a vendor at the Festival, please click *here* to access the online application, or send an Email to festival-exhibitors@pridehouston.org

Want to make exciting new friends, and engage yourself in the Houston GLBT community? Do you like parties and events? Are you a people person, an artist, a leader, or a computer geek? Whatever your special talent, we have a place for you. At Pride Houston, We Are Family! Join our committed all-volunteer staff, and help produce the largest and most exciting GLBT celebration in the southwest. Sign up online, get more information on our Volunteer page, or contact Eric at eskains@pridehouston.com.

The Grand Marshals for the 2008 Pride Celebration have been announced! Pride Houston wishes to thank those who voted to select this years Grand Marshals, and extend our special thanks to all of the distinguished nominees for their participation. Each nominee was selected based on their tireless efforts, commitment, and outstanding contributions to the community; areas such as social, political, health, welfare, education and business. It is their continued mentoring, volunteer efforts, generosity and leadership that ushers our community into a better future.

Honorary Grand Marshal: Julie Eberly

A supportive mainstay of Houston's GLBT community, she is easily recognized and loved by anyone who has fallen into the realm of her sparkling smile and all encompassing hug. As a longtime development director for AIDS Foundation Houston, she has been instrumental in raising much needed funds for those living with and affected by HIV.

Female Grand Marshal: Kelly McCann

As Chief Executive Officer of AIDS Foundation Houston, she is one of Houston's exemplary and highly visible lesbian leaders. Since 1979 she has conducted her personal and professional life as an out lesbian, never faltering, never changing her pronouns, and never wavering from being proud of who-and what-she is.

Male Grand Marshal: Dalton DeHart

An outstanding member of our community since arriving in Houston in 1985, you can hardly go to a GLBT function in the Houston area that you won't see him running around lining up people for a picture. It is his pictures that have captured those special moments for the community. Since 1986 he has shot over 12,000 rolls of film and over 700,000 pictures. His love for the community is seen as he moves people together with "OK darlin' you need to move over here and darlin' you need to stand there". He has developed an online data base of those pictures that can be researched for use today and far into the future.

Organization Grand Marshal: Aids Foundation Houston

In recognition of their exceptional accomplishment implementing community programs that educate, promote disease prevention and client services for individual and families within our community.

Become a 2008 Friend of Pride!

Become a Friend of Pride and help support Pride Houston in our mission to celebrate individual pride, commemorate our community's history, and educate society for the liberation of all people.

And for your support we offer the following benefits

• VIP Parade Bleacher Seating
• Passes to the signature Wine Tasting Event
• Parade Day Reserved Parking

Benefits are based on giving levels, please see the Friend of Pride website for full details.

2008 Online Parade Application

Pride Houston is pleased to announce the 2008 Parade application is now online and available for submission. The application and rules can be found on our forms page. Deadline for submission is May 1, 2008 to avoid a late fee. Any applications not post marked by May 1, 2008 will be charge a late fee and any application not postmarked by May 15, 2008 will be rejected.

This year’s 30th anniversary GLBT Pride parade has been themed We Are Family as a sign of unity and fellowship amongst our community. Pride Houston and the Parade committee encourage everyone to come celebrate Pride with our family. This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2008 beginning promptly at 8:45pm at the intersection of Dunlavy and Westheimer. If you have any questions about the parade application please call the Pride office 713.529.6979 or contact the parade committee at parade@pridehouston.org.

2008 Online Entertainment Application

Play in the Southwest's largest GLBT Pride Parade and Festival, featured in the historic Montrose neighborhood of Houston, Texas. This annual celebration features 3 stages offering live music all day and night in front of over 100,000 fans. Pride Houston celebrates diversity in music and features hundreds of local, regional and national performers in genres including everything from alternative, country, R&B and reggae to blues, zydeco, rock, pop, Latin and others. Last year's performers included Nemesis and Kimberly Caldwell as headliners, with 2006 featuring Taylor Dayne.

If you would like to be considered for an appearance on one of the Pride Houston stages, please complete the online SonicBids Application. EPK's or press kits sent directly to Pride Houston WILL NOT BE considered. Pride Houston will fill as many as 20 slots with artists who submit online through Sonicbids. Go to http://www.sonicbids.com/pridehouston.

If you are unable to submit electronically, please email eskains@pridehouston.com.

Show your Pride with Style!

Pride Houston merchandise is now available on-line! You'll find plenty of funky fashions on our eBay store. Go to http://www.stores.ebay.com/pridehouston and shop till you drop. Be the talk of the town and know your purchase supports Pride Houston and its mission.

We have exclusive access to the Closet Couture line of shirts and tank tops created by GottaDigIt Inc. These items are made of 100% combed cotton, machine washable and made in America. Unique designs and cleaver expressions of gay pride will help you earn extra style points from your friends.

For those who live in Houston, limited quantities are also available in the Pride Houston office. Call the PrideLine 713-529-6979 and let us know what item interests you. We'll make sure it's available for pick-up.

We still have a few tank tops, t-shirts and baseball caps from Pride 2007 remaining, but our supply is quickly shrinking. So if you missed your chance to buy a memento at last year's Pride Festival, look no further than our eBay store. Prices have been slashed, so log on now!

Support Pride All Year Long

Here are two simple ways to support Pride year round.

Pick up your free Kroger Share Card from the Pride Houston office. Present your Share Card each time you checkout and Pride Houston will receive a percentage of your total grocery bill. How easy is that!

Another easy way to support Pride is by visiting Party Boy for all your party needs. When you check out be sure to mention that you'd like your purchases to be credited to Pride Houston and Party Boy will contribute 5% of your total purchases to Pride for use in next year's Parade.