CONTACT: Tatiauna Holland, 832-328-7877 or info@tjhollandlaw.com
Houston, TX- At Pride Houston’s Kick Off event on Sunday, July 25, 2021 the organization announced it would host a smaller block party in the historic Montrose neighborhood instead of its larger annual Pride parade. We want to make very clear that this was not a City of Houston decision.“ We [Pride Houston] were looking forward to bringing back the parade this year since some COVID restrictions have been relaxed. But as new COVID infections are rising and the presence of the Delta variant we think it would be more prudent to host a smaller capacity event.” says Thasia Madison Pride Houston President.At the kickoff event Pride Houston explained that permitting had been secured from the City of Houston for a September 25th Celebration Festival and Parade, but Pride Houston independently decided to scale back their annual event. “However, it was our decision to postpone the parade until 2022. We love our community and want to keep it safe. We have organized several upcoming events and will follow Covid precautions. We even have a vaccination drive scheduled. We are doing our part to help Houston and Harris County combat the Delta variant” Madison continues. Pride Houston’s decision was based on concerns and advice expressed by several elected officials, health agencies, and others who have encouraged us to postpone this year’s celebration until 2022. Harris County has below a 50% vaccination rate recently raising the level to orange and due to the number of unvaccinated families with kids who are the main participants in our Celebration. “We look forward to the 2022 Pride Houston Celebration and we’ll be holding vaccination drives at several of our upcoming events. The state’s positivity has rate crept back up above 10 percent for the first time since February. This threshold was considered dangerous previously by Gov. Greg Abbott. After the announcement and decision, we were glad that our Grand Marshals were supportive.” – Pride Houston
Here are the upcoming events that Pride Houston plans to hold with a capacity of 5,000 attendees or less.
● Saturday, 8/28 – Baewatch x Salvation, the largest LGBTQIA+ pool party in Texas @ Clé
● Sunday, 9/5 – Grand Marshal Reception @ Neon Boots
● Friday, 9/10 – Rumba Latin Night with Pride @ Neon Boots
● Saturday, 9/18 – Pride In The Country, Country and western night @ Neon Boots
● Saturday, 9/25 – Eden, Houston’s largest all Girl Party (but guys are welcome too) @ Neon Boots
● Saturday, 10/2 Pride in Montrose, Concert & Block Party
● Monday, 10/11 – Rock the Runway, Fashion Show on National Coming Out Day benefitting our Heritage Scholarship Program @ Ballroom at Bayou Place
● Saturday, 10/16 – Rights are Human which is our Human Rights Conference to address inequities and issues such as immigration, trans rights legislation, veterans rights, etc.
● Saturday, 10/23 – Reel Pride, LGBTQIA+ Film Festival at the University of Houston Downtown
“I am proud that Pride Houston has chosen the community’s safety as its first priority. I look forward to the 2022 Celebration.” Austin Dexter Williams, Quality Assurance Specialist, Busy Bee Inc. | Pride Houston 2020 Male Identifying Grand Marshal. “While I am extremely sad this year’s parade has had to be postponed, I cannot thank and appreciate Pride Houston enough for taking the responsible step and proactively putting community and the safety of the ones we love above all else. This was going to be my 4 month old sons first Pride Parade, but we will have it next year and for years to come. That’s what matters. This selfless decision serves as an example of Pride Houston’s leadership in our city. And I look forward to working with y’all to organize vaccine drives and other efforts to combat the rise of the Delta Variant.” -Council Member Abbie Kamin, District C | 2021 Ally Grand Marshal
The Pride Houston Board has been working diligently to deliver a full calendar of events delivered in a safe and healthy place, and will be sharing details about upcoming events on their website and all social media platforms in the near future.
Sincerely,
Pride Houston Board of Directors.
