Houstonians head to New Faces of Pride festival amid pride drama

Participants in Houston’s inaugural New Faces of Pride parade lined fenced-in streets Saturday as parade floats rolled by, desperate for a chance to grab items like wire beads, bouncy balls and rubber ducks .

The event which included a festival saw hundreds of participants at its inaugural event which took place throughout the day. Vendors lined the space, offering locally made treats, artwork, jewelry, and tarot readings.

Vicky Ling, who runs Yarn and Cherry, sold homemade bags and key rings to eager customers looking for new trinkets. That day was the first time she had sold at a pride event, she said.

Ling, who swapped some small pieces of crochet for bubble tea with another vendor, said business had been excellent throughout the day. She said she wanted to have a booth at the Pride Houston 365 event the following week, but didn’t register in time.

Other agencies in attendance included Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast and Montrose Cente. A few steps away, other participants put their feet in the water and swam in the fountain in front of City Hall to the sound of live music.

The New Faces of Pride called the festival and parade “the city’s premier pride event.”

“Houston’s biggest, best, most organized pride,” the page reads.

The new group’s pride event was planned a week before Pride Houston 365, on June 29. Bryan Cotton, president of the new organization, accused Pride Houston 365 of trying to monopolize pride events in the city and of having corrupt leadership.

Many attendees took their dressing seriously for the occasion. Elaina Bell, 21, who grew up in Houston, dressed in a pink afro and cape.

Candace Obi came with two other friends wearing glitter and wings. The matching outfits were blue, pink and purple, representing the bisexual flag.

Obi was inspired to dress with pride as a form of self-expression and to speak his mind.

“I really love fashion,” Obi said just before the show started. “So just the opportunity to really showcase myself and my creativity has been wonderful to my identity.”