How Did Houston End Up with Two Dueling Pride Parades?
The city's LGBTQ+ community has been blessed with an extra dose of Pride this year, but it's not all happy.
Image: Courtesy Houston First
Houston’s LGBTQ+ community is gearing up for a unique Pride season this year, featuring not one, but two separate parades and festivals. This unexpected turn of events stems from a recent rift within the city’s long-standing Pride organization, Pride Houston 365. As a result, a new group has formed, Houston’s New Faces of Pride. The more the merrier, we guess?
With both organizations’ parades vying for attention, Houstonians face a Pride season filled with a double dose of celebration and choices. Perhaps the competition might inspire each organization to pull out all the stops to impress us.
Confused? Yeah, so are we. Here’s what you need to know.
How did we get here?
The roots of this double Pride drama can be traced back to a period of turmoil within the OG organization. In recent years, Pride Houston faced a series of challenges, from financial mismanagement to leadership disputes, which left the group scrambling to regain public trust. The dismissal of its longtime executive director following allegations of embezzlement sent shockwaves through the community. The ensuing legal battle, which resulted in the former director having to pay $1.2 million in damages to the organization, cast a shadow over its reputation. Pride celebrations, once a joyous hallmark of Houston summers, were canceled or scaled back due to these internal struggles.
Amid this controversy, a contingent of volunteers and leaders decided to chart a new course, forming New Faces of Pride. This group aims to reestablish trust and transparency within the community, positioning itself as a modern, responsive alternative to the troubled Pride Houston.
Launched officially in October 2023, New Faces quickly made waves by announcing its own parade and festival. The organizers say the June 22 event is a contemporary take on Pride celebrations, with a focus on year-round community engagement and philanthropic efforts.
One week after this, on June 29, Pride Houston will host its 46th annual parade and festival. The organization is now under new leadership, which has focused on revamping operations, securing substantial sponsorships, and planning a series of events that honor the long-standing traditions of Houston’s Pride celebrations.
What can we expect from each event?
Image: Courtesy Houston First
Houston’s New Faces of Pride Festival and Parade
Date: June 22, 2024
Time: Festival and musical performances are noon–6pm, parade is 7:30–10pm, and the Planet Pink! official after-party is throwing down 9pm–2am.
Location: The parade will take place in downtown Houston, starting at Lamar Street and ending at Jefferson Street. A detailed map can be found here.
Grand Marshals: Meghan Fairbanks, Rep. Al Green, Ian L. Haddock, Rice PRIDE, and Iris Rodriguez
Performances: DJ Amarji, Hugh and Barry Mii Dandy, Dom, Gndrbndr, Billy Gilman, Chris Housman, La’Darius Mirage Jackson, Sugar Joiko, Adriana LaRue, Reign LaRue, Lauren Sanderson, Special K and Sam, Violet S’Arbleu, DJ Uri Via, and DJ Von Kiss
Tickets: Attendance to the parade and festival is free; however, VIP tickets can be purchased for $150 to $250. More details here.
How it’s different: New Faces of Pride is promising a modern take on traditional Pride festivities, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and philanthropy that aims to reconnect the LGBTQ+ community with its roots. The organization is showcasing new talent in its lineup of local performers.
Pride Houston 365 46th Annual Houston Pride Celebration Festival & Parade
Date: June 29, 2024
Time: The festival runs noon–6pm, the parade pre-show is 6–7:15pm, and the actual parade 7:20–10pm.
Location: The parade will be held in downtown Houston, beginning at Bagby and Lamar streets. The procession will go through Smith, Walker, and Milam streets before ending at the intersection of Milam and Pease Streets. A detailed map can be found here.
Host: Muffy Vanderbilt
Grand Marshals: Kevin Dapree Anderson, Lesley Briones, Joelle Bayaa-Uzuri Espeut, Sara Fernandez, Olivia Julianna, C. Patrick McIlvain, and Odyssey Oakengrove
Performances: Brooke Eden, David Archuleta, Kayla G, and K. Michelle
Tickets: The parade is free. The festival is free for people under 21 and 55+, $5 for everyone else with online advance tickets or $10 at the gate. More details here.
How it’s different: Pride Houston is taking a more traditional approach to Pride celebrations with established and widely recognized performers, corporate sponsorships, and a parade route that extends further.
Which should I attend?
There are no right or wrong answers to this question. It all depends on what you’re looking for in your Pride experience. If you’re drawn to a fresh perspective and enjoy discovering new talent, New Faces might be the right fit for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking to relive the grandeur of Houston’s long-standing Pride traditions, Pride Houston might resonate more. But really, you don’t even have to choose—just celebrate at both. There’s more than enough pride to go around.
