New Faces of Pride hosts inaugural event in downtown Houston

HOUSTON — Thousands of people attended the first of two major Pride events in downtown Houston this month, as the future of the celebrations remains uncertain.

The organization, New faces of pride, held its inaugural festival and parade Saturday.

“For our first year, it’s an incredible experience to be here,” Felicia Flores, vice president of New Faces of Pride told KHOU 11 News. “It’s amazing, you have no idea how much time and effort we put into it and so there’s just a sense of pride in our community work, our community involvement, but also just seeing the face of everyone here today is amazing.”

New Faces of Pride The event grew out of an effort to establish a more transparent organization than Pride Houston 365, which has been hosting Pride events for more than four decades.

For months, city leaders discussed ways to combine the events into one, but that didn’t happen this year.

“I tend to think the one next weekend will probably draw more people just because it’s established and I don’t think a lot of people knew about this one,” said James Hurst, a participating in the parade and festival.

The Pride Houston 365 event will take place on Saturday, June 29.

But with the future of Pride celebrations in Houston up in the air, people focused Saturday on the present and what Pride means in their lives.

“It’s my first Pride ever, so I’m so excited,” said Olivia Lord of Houston. “Everyone’s presence and happiness… I’m so happy.”

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