US: Plans to move Houston Pride location after 36 years will help ‘break down barriers’
The Houston Pride Celebration, after 36 years in the Westheimer strip in Montrose, is moving downtown.
On Wednesday, Pride organisers announced the move of the annual LGBT Pride Parade to downtown Houston, saying the event had outgrown the residential neighbourhood of Montrose.
Pride Houston President and CEO Frankie Quijano said: “The original purpose of Pride in the 1960s was to break down barriers and show that as an LGBT community we refused to be ignored.
“There is no longer a need for a segregated community in Houston. Therefore, the move downtown will help break additional barriers of inclusion and integration.”
According to Click2Houston, Mr Quijano said Pride Houston would meet with local businesses to discuss creating a additional entertainment stages, as well as a larger family fun zone and additional seating along the parade route.
“The fact is that there can be no progress without change,” he said.
“We implore the community to have an open mind and embrace the evolution of one of the largest Pride celebrations in the US. Our organization will keep the momentum moving forward.”
The parade will be held on June 20, 2015.
