Community

Houston’s Pride Parade delayed

e By Johnny Trlica

THE CORONAVIRUS CONTINUES TO disrupt the normal routine of Americans. After meeting with health and city officials, Pride Houston announced it is postponing the annual parade to the fall over concerns over the ongoing pandemic.

In a video statement posted on PrideHouston.org, Lo Roberts, president and chief executive officer of Pride Houston said, “A month ago our team made the announcement that Pride Houston was monitoring the Covid-19 pandemic situation that has gripped the world. Since then, we have had conversations daily with health and elected officials and with our larger production team and Board of Directors to see how Pride Houston 2020 could and should take place.

“Given the impact of this pandemic we have come to the unanimous conclusion that the only viable decision is to postpone Houston’s 2020 Pride Celebration with a target of Fall 2020. “As a nonprofit that has vowed to support the LGBTQ+ community, we have no option but to delay our celebration so that we can ensure the safety of our supporters and attendees. We are still working out all the details for what our 2020 Celebration will look like so more details are to come. However, understand that we will still have smaller pop up events throughout June until the fall as the city allows it to celebrate life, love, culture, the arts, and this beautiful DiverCity!

“What we do know: 1. Pride is all around us at all times! 2. Grand Marshal Announcements will continue as planned! 3. We could always use the help of new volunteers so please reach out to volunteer@pridehouston.org 4. At the end of the day we share in the sadness that many of you feel with so many things being put on hold and with everyone being asked to stay home and be distant — but if there’s one thing we would like to put out there in the world it is that while we’re all asked to be physically distant from each other to help curve the effect of this pandemic we encourage you all to be emotionally and empathetically close with your fellow human, with your family, with your friends, with your pets and with those who need it the most.

“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind… Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can do.

“Always remember after every storm there is a rainbow — and for us that Rainbow is Pride Houston 2020!”

Dates for the parade and other festivities, attended by over 700,000 people last year, have not been determined. On a related note, Galveston’s Pride festivities have been rescheduled for September 18 through 20. e

Community Galveston welcomes crowds back, but follow the rules

e By Johnny Trlica

GALVESTON HAS BEEN CALLED ONE OF the most haunted cities in the country, and the stay at home orders only enhanced that image. The streets of the Island city were deserted as inhabitants adhered to the precautionary measures enacted by the county and later by the governor.

The streets along the Strand and Mechanic Streets were mostly deserted throughout the day. Early morning sea fog only enhanced the eeriness of the surreal scene. It’s very reminiscent of the opening of the classic soap opera Dark Shadows.

Breaking the ghost town feel was the sight of a few restaurants doing business via take out only. Cruise ships sat idle with skeleton crews longing for the tourists with rolling luggage wearing Bermuda shorts.

After Texas Governor Greg Abbott allowed the stay at home order to expire on April 30, most businesses and restaurants were allowed to open, albeit with limited capacity. On May 1 crowds began returning to enjoy the nice spring weather and begin reconnecting with friends. Beaches, which had been closed since March 29, were opened and strewn with sun bathers and surfers.

The pictures included here show the city and beaches during the shutdown and the return of life beginning the first weekend of May.

For visitors planning to take the drive down I-45 South, remember Galveston Mayor Jim Yarbrough signed a new order that allows the city to issue $500 fines to people found in violation of Gov. Abbott’s orders, such as not social distancing, and which encourage but don’t require people to wear a mask, reports GalvNews.com.

The Galveston City Council extended its disaster declaration through May 31. Keeping the emergency declaration in place ensures the city can still access federal disaster funding and can act quickly if needed, the mayor said.

Galveston’s gay bars, Robert’s Lafitte, Rumors, and 23rd Street Station, remain closed until the governor gives the green light for bars, salons, and gyms to reopen. e