Pride Houston held its Kick-Off and Theme Reveal Party on July 25, but the LGBTQIA nonprofit said it will postpone its annual celebration again in light of the growing number of Covid-19 cases.
Previously, Pride Houston opted to move its 2021 Pride Week event to the fall after canceling the celebration entirely in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Although permitting from the city of Houston was secured for a Pride festival and parade slated for Sept. 25, Pride Houston has now decided to move its celebration to Oct. 2. The organization also said it decided to scale back its event, which means canceling the parade again. The smaller celebration will be an outdoor, concert-style block party in Montrose with a maximum capacity of 5,000. Other Pride events scheduled this fall will have a maximum capacity of 5,000, as well, according to a July 26 announcement.
“We [Pride Houston] were looking forward to bringing back the parade this year since some Covid restrictions have been relaxed," said Thasia Madison, Pride Houston president. "But as new Covid infections are rising and (with) the presence of the delta variant, we think it would be more prudent to host a smaller-capacity event.”
Madison said it was Pride Houston's decision to postpone the parade to 2022.
“We love our community and want to keep it safe," Madison said. "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."
Abbie Kamin, District C council member and Pride Houston 2021 Ally Grand Marshal, said she was sad to learn the parade was postponed but appreciated Pride Houston for being selfless and proactive in putting community above all else.
"This was going to be my 4-month-old son’s first Pride Parade, but we will have it next year and for years to come," Kamin said. "That’s what matters."
Harris County increased its Covid-19 threat level back to "orange" on July 22. The orange, or significant level, recommends residents "minimize all contacts unless fully vaccinated."
More than a year into the Covid-19 pandemic, Houston health care leaders are warning of a potential fourth wave of coronavirus-related hospitalizations as the delta variant spreads locally.
Health leaders from the Texas Medical Center and major Houston-based hospital systems are reporting a recent rise in coronavirus patients being hospitalized, particularly patients who have not been vaccinated for Covid-19. Approximately 44% of Harris County residents had been fully vaccinated, and 51.3% have received at least one vaccine dose through July 19, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Daily average new Covid-19 hospitalizations per week in the Texas Medical Center institutions have risen by 90% over the past two weeks, TMC President and CEO Bill McKeon said July 20.
Meanwhile, Pride Houston is currently in search of a new executive director. The LGBTQIA nonprofit said June 22 that Lorin "Lo" Roberts has left the organization but no details were provided on why she left. Roberts along with Madison were elected to lead the organization throughout 2023, Outsmart Magazine reported in October.
