2024: The new faces of Houston pride: the city’s new LGBTQ+ celebration prepares the finishing touches

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Organizers of the city’s newest LGBTQ+ pride parade and celebration have entered their rainbow-colored home stretch.

The new faces of Houston pride will mark its first-ever downtown festival and nighttime parade on Saturday, June 22.

President Bryan Cotton told ABC13 he already felt a sense of accomplishment, even before the parade started on Smith St.

“We saw a need in the community and we responded to it,” Cotton said. “It was about supporting, elevating and highlighting other small nonprofits in the community that are doing amazing things. This is our lane that we strive to stay in.”

The new organization made its debut last fall by announcing it would hold its own Pride parade and festival a week before the Pride Houston celebration.

Vice President Felicia Flores said her team immediately got to work serving the LGBTQ+ community, leveraging their platform to help provide homeless youth at Grace Place and Tony’s Place with jackets and bags backpack for the winter.

Each month, the organization hosts a community happy hour to help amplify the work of inclusive nonprofits.

Cotton also said New Faces has sought in its first year to widen the tent when it comes to inclusion and representation, reflecting all parts of the LGBTQ+ community.

Prior to the Pride celebration, New Faces will host an alcohol-free party on Saturday, June 15 for sober LGBTQ+ and allied party-goers at Z on 23 Rooftop Bar.

Five grand marshals were announced last month for the 2024 parade, along with a long list of performers for its festival, including openly gay country artists Chris Housman and Billy Gilman.

ABC13 will live stream all the sights and sounds of the New Faces of Houston Pride Parade on Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m.

After the show, New Faces will invade Post Houston for their Planet Pink afterparty from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Click here for more ticket information.

New Faces of Houston Pride Parade Route

• The parade starts on Smith St. at Lamar St., heading north
• East (right) on Walker Street.
• South (right) on Milam Street.
• Dissolves at Milam St. and Jefferson St.

ABC13 is proud to be the official media partner of Houston’s New Faces of Pride.