AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin holds its LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in August each year. Weeks ahead of this year’s event, organizers said it will look different, citing “the current political climate” and funding.
Austin Pride is scheduled for August 23. Its organizers posted about the imminent changes on social media Wednesday morning.
“Like many Pride organizations across the country, we’ve been impacted by the current political climate — and yes, that includes our funding,” the post said. “We’re feeling it this year, and as a result, the festival will look and feel a bit different than what you’re used to.”
The post also made a point to include what won’t change this year: “our heart, our community, our pride.”
It went on to say that this year’s celebration will “go back to our roots.” All entertainment will be local, and the festival will be free to attend. In past years, the festival has required paid entry, and the Pride parade at night has been free to attend. The post did not mention the parade itself, however.
“We’re doubling down on what makes Austin Pride so special,” the post said. “Community. Resilience. And love. We’re here. We’re queer. And we’re not going anywhere.”
The theme for this year’s event is “Silence = Death.”
Austin Pride is organized by The Austin Pride Foundation, a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. KXAN reached out to the organization to ask for more details about the changes. This story will be updated if we receive a response.