Houston Pride Reigns

Houston Pride: LGBT parade is among top 10 most popular in the nation

Houston Pride 2015 parade float chandelier

A scene from the Pride Parade in 2015.

Photo by F. Carter Smith

The Houston Pride Parade, which takes place in downtown Houston Saturday night, is among the 10 most popular Pride parades in the United States, according to Google search trends.

The real estate website Redfin used web search trend data to determine which cities had the most interest in Pride parades. Houston ranks No. 9 and is the only city in Texas on the list. San Francisco in No. 1, followed by Chicago, Seattle, New York, Minneapolis, San Diego, Boston, Washington, D.C., Houston and Portland, Oregon.

The parade was particularly festive last year as it came just days after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. The parade, which moved to downtown from its longtime Montrose route, drew an estimated 700,000 celebrants.

This year, the mood is more subdued as the parade comes on the heels of the Orlando massacre, in which 49 people were killed and 53 injured at the Pulse gay nightclub. Yet large crowds are expected for the parade and afternoon festival as determined Houstonians from the LGBT community and their friends and allies plan to show they won't be cowed by such threats, although news accounts of a threat against the parade has caused some anxiety.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and Interim Police Chief Martha Montalvo plan a news conference on Friday, June 24, to encourage Houstonians to stand with Orlando by showing up for the LGBT Pride parade this weekend. They will detail precautions that will be taken to ensure safety.

Turner also plans to announce creation of a new LGBT advisory committee and a new digital media campaign called "Houston Stands With Orlando" will be unveiled.

The 38th annual Pride Parade, with the theme "Houston Proud," will kick off at 8:30 pm Saturday at Smith and Lamar, travel up Smith to Walker street, turn at Milam and end at Jefferson. See a map of the parade route here.

The Pride Festival, which is free, takes place from noon to 7 pm around City Hall at McKinney and Smith. Entertainment includes Pearl from RuPaul's Drag Race, Texas electronic act Ishi, DH duo Wrestlers, local emcee Lyric Michelle, Selena tribute act Amanda Solis and the Pride Superstar winner.

For a full list of activities, visit the Pride website.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana