Organizers with Fort Bend County Pride, the first-of-its-kind nonprofit in the county, have worked for the last year to create a welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community, co-founder Hunny Phillips said.
What residents need to know
After seeing a lack of resources and spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in Fort Bend County, the nonprofit’s leadership wanted to provide a local event so community members didn’t have to travel to Houston for any events, Phillips said.
“With Fort Bend County being one of the most diverse [counties] in the U.S., I feel like we, being LGBTQ myself, need to be included in the diversity out here,” Phillips said.
The details
Organizers will host the first pride festival on Aug. 11 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds from 2-8 p.m. The festival will feature activities for the whole family, such as:
- Exhibitors
- Diverse live entertainment
- A Houston art car show
- A kids zone with a soft play area and a gaming truck
- A seniors corner with bingo, word puzzles and coloring sheets
- Sensory-sensitive areas for people who are neurodivergent
Dates to know
Additionally, Fort Bend County Pride invites community members to its other upcoming events, including:
- June 12: Sugar Land Space Cowboys Pride Night
- June 18: Central Fort Bend Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony
- July 27: Afternoon Tea Party
- Aug. 9: Fort Bend County Pride Kickoff Mixer
Why it matters
Fort Bend County Pride and its festival are vital to providing a place for the LGBTQ+ community right where they live, said Nadia Hakim, Fort Bend County Pride’s communication director.
“Folks shouldn’t have to drive away from home to Houston to feel like they belong or to feel like they are safe—they should feel respected and supported wherever they are,” Hakim said.
Additionally, Hakim emphasized the organization’s events are open to all, including those who aren’t in the LGBTQ+ community.
“No matter how you identify—cisgender, heterosexual, homosexual, trans, asexual—you belong here, and our events are open to all,” Hakim said.
Get connected
Being a nonprofit, Fort Bend County Pride is run solely with volunteers, which is something organizers would like to grow, Phillips said. As the nonprofit works to host more events, the organization’s leadership is looking to create more volunteer committees in the next year, Phillips said.
“We want to be for the community, ran by the community,” Phillips said.
Those who are interested in volunteering can connect with Fort Bend County Pride leaders by emailing [email protected] or by clicking here.
Looking ahead
Beyond hosting events year round, the organization is also working toward an after-school program for LGBTQ+ students and heterosexual youth who have parents in the community. The program is anticipated to launch in January, Phillips said.
Additionally, the nonprofit aims to provide temporary housing for trans women to teach them life skills and help them find accepting employment, although it will be at least a year before the nonprofit can launch the program, Phillips said.
