Organizations are taking this weekend to empower and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
HOUSTON — The 74th year of Pride celebrations was seen throughout Downtown Houston on Saturday. This year’s parade continues the tradition of being the oldest and largest pride celebration in Texas.
Organizations are also taking this weekend to empower and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. It allows several families from all over Southeast Texas the chance to celebrate.
“A lot of us signed our name on a dotted line for things like this to exist,” Jason Marchetti said.
He doesn’t take the freedom to celebrate lightly. He says he’s a military veteran who identifies as bisexual and has a transgender son.
“It means the world. You just got to remember at one point we weren’t allowed to do this, I myself was one of those people who wasn’t okay with who I was,” Marchetti said.
The people attending Pride Houston are creating an environment of acceptance.
Steven Parks is Board Chair of Tony’s Place, a non-profit providing resources to LGBTQ young adults between the ages of 14 and 25. Those services available at their drop-in center include hot meals, laundry services, clothing, showers and wraparound services.
“Many of our own youth are being oppressed in their home communities, and we want them to know if you need anything, you are loved, you are supported as you are,” Parks said.
Parks was also the operation grand marshal in this year’s parade.
City leaders, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Police Chief Noe Diaz and Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz were also participating in this year’s parade, which began at Houston City Hall and went down Milam Street.
We spoke with Ryan Wilson, Director of Corporate Relations with the Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, who is underscoring Pride’s importance.
“I mean this year we’ve seen so many attacks on LGBT rights both at the federal level and here in Texas, so it’s even more important that we come together,” Wilson said.
A feeling of celebration is what Marchetti wants to share with others.
“I think more people need to be out there and be willing to stand up and say this is what we’re here to do, especially on months like this, days like this, this is hallowed ground,” Marchetti said.
You can learn more about Pride Houston 365 here.