Pride parade is great for Houston

Pride Houston, an organization designed to support the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender) community, hosted their 32nd pride festival and parade on Saturday, June 26. The festivities are traditionally held along several blocks of Westheimer and other surrounding streets in the Montrose area.

This annual celebration originated after a series of riots, known as the Stonewall Riots, broke out in New York City. New York City Police Department officers illegally raided local bars with intention of persecuting members of the GLBT community. The victims fought back resulting in a violent frenzy. This display of courage was deemed as the celebratory event of which the gay community celebrates annually. This event is one of the first, noted times, during which the victimized didn’t sit back and accept their unjust treatment. It is viewed as a milestone towards the progressive movement, specifically regarding homosexual’s rights.

The pride festival consists of numerous artists, non-profit organizations and vendors to suit the desires of many individuals.

While the pride festivities are supremely based in support, acceptance and benefits for the gay community, they are by no means constricted to these matters. The festival hosts booths for organizations for a variety of social and political issues, from rescuing animals to protesting executions.

At night there is a flashy, flamboyant parade complete with illuminated floats and decorated bikes. It can be considered a crossbreed of San Francisco in the 1970s and New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Everybody is partying and walking along the streets. The central theme of this festival and parade is acceptance, and it is loudly vocalized and felt throughout the festivities.

I am proud to be a citizen of one of the few American cities, which hosts such a progressive oriented festival. It is very important that Houston has it’s own pride parade, being the fourth largest city and home to one of the larger gay communities in the United States. The election of the first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city, Annise Parker, made for all the more reason to celebrate this year. The feeling of achievement from that milestone was palpable!

Regardless of one’s sexual orientation, this progress is something to be celebrated. Above everything, this event serves as an important reminder to raise awareness of the history and politics on which it is based.

Erin Rampy is a psychology sophomore and may be reached at [email protected]