The Importance Of Gay Marriage In Houston

On the heels of the landmark supreme court's decision to make gay marriage legal; Houston held their annual gay pride parade hosted by Pride Houston Inc. Held in downtown Houston for the first time since its inception, was originally held in Montrose. With streets in downtown shut down for the event, parade goers were able to mingle and relish in the victory. "This year is a special celebration for the LGBT community in Houston. Not only is gay marriage legal nation wide, but we get the added bonus of a change of venue, which opens up the parade to people who may have never attended " Jeaux Oduah of Sugar Land. When asked what the Supreme Court decision meant to him personally Oduah states, "It means we've come a really long way. As a black
man in America I was born with a strike and as a gay black man I was written off. This decision means I matter, my love matters."

There were plenty of opportunities for attendees to mingle with food trucks, novelty stands and party tents open to all. Though rain moved in during parts of the parade, it did not dampen the mood. The parade which is usually held in Montrose was relocated to Downtown Houston after out-growing it's original home. There were mixed reviews for and against the move. Daniel Johns, Conroe exclaimed, "This feels so enclusive. I was never able to make it when it was held in Montrose but getting to Downtown was much easier. The free bus rides and maps of downtown made it so easy to move around". The opposition however felt a bit different citing, "Montrose is Houston's gay capital! Those who have been apart of the LGBT community for years will always relate gay rights with Montrose" Janice Collins, of Houston.

With a crowd estimated at over 60,000 the parade and festival went off with out issue as downtown Houston was covered with all the colors of the rainbow.