Not only is Austin the state capital of the Lone Star State, it's also one of the most progressive and gay-friendly cities in the southern United States. So it's only fitting that this fast-growing city's Austin Gay Pride Festival and Parade continues to grow in attendance and popularity. The event is a combination of what used to be two different but concurrent events, the Pride of Texas Festival and the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Pride Parade, which in 2009 have combined forces to create one all-inclusive, popular event. Austin Pride in 2009 takes place on Saturday, June 6.
Shop for rooms and compare rates at hotels in Austin during Gay Pride week
Here's a quick look at Austin Pride this year:
There are a few related events and gatherings taking place during the days immediately preceding Austin Pride weekend, including an Annual Multifaith Pride Service on Thursday night, June 4; and several concerts and parties on Friday, June 5. These include Project Transitions (a regional hospice and housing organization for persons with HIV and AIDS presentation of the 14th Annual Texas Swing party and fundraiser - it's held at Saengerrunde Hall (1607 San Jacinto St.).
Saturday, June 6, is the big day for Texas Pride. First, from 4 pm until 8:30 pm, the Austin Pride Festival will draw thousands of people to downtown's Republic Park, which is just a couple of blocks south of the Warehouse District containing several of Austin's most popular gay bars. Allie Rolison, Grrlz Will Be Boiz, Holly Lorka, and Show Me Tiger! will perform, and there will be vendors and exhibitors from all over the state. This is a new time and venue for the festival.
The Austin Gay Pride Parade takes place immediately following the festival. This nighttime event commences at 8:30 pm on the south side of Town Lake (which is what the Colorado River is known as in downtown Austin) around South 1st and Riverside. It then proceeds north across Town Lake, east along Cesar Chavez, north up Congress, west along 4th Street, ending at Republic Park's festival grounds, which is the site of an "after party" with a DJ and dancing. Here's a map of the parade route.
Then on Sunday, June 7, at 11:30 am until 1 pm, Equality Texas welcomes the community to a Pride Texas Brunch at the Austin Women's Club (710 San Antonio St.).
A final event of Gay Pride month in Austin is the Pride Texas Women's Dance, held Friday, June 12, at the Club House at Fiesta Gardens (2101 Bergman Ave.), with proceeds benefitting Women's Equality of Texas.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check local gay papers and resources, such as Austin Chronicle's Gay Texas Fun Guide and the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for details.
