A lot has happened since Austin Pride last brought its color to the Texas capital in 2019. The development has decimated the Warehouse District, the hub of his LGBTQ bars in the city. A wave of policies across Texas and across the country has undermined the rights of LGBTQ people.
But LGBTQ pride gatherings are also becoming popular in the surrounding smaller communities. The first gay pride festival was held in Taylor last year. Round Rock, Leander, Bastrop and Pflugerville will follow in 2022.
Austin Pride’s 2022 festivities begin this week and run through next weekend. Seeing families coming together for pride “solidifies what your community is really like,” says Beau Seddon, who owns the Scissor Sisters Hair Show, a queer-focused salon in Austin. “This community is our lifeblood, a way for us to connect and normalize ourselves.”
Monica Monae is one of the Austin Drug Artists performing at Austin Pride.
“It’s very exciting to be back on the big stage,” said Monáe. i love my job I love performing and I love the community. So when you see them all coming together, you will feel very nostalgic and see the beautiful people of the city come back together again. ”
Here’s what you need to know about Austin Pride 2022.
![The Austin Pride Parade travels downtown Saturday, August 10, 2019. [Stephen Spillman for Statesman]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/08/11/NAAS/33e89768-f457-4d97-9c00-459cf61a6039-sss_pride_0611.JPG?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
When is the Austin Pride Festival and Parade?
This year’s Austin Pride Festival and Parade takes place on August 20th. The festival takes place at the Fiesta Gardens (2101 Jesse Segovia St.) from 11am to 6pm. Then at 8pm, the parade begins at the Houses of Parliament and marches down Congress Avenue. The official festivities end at 11pm.
How long is the Austin Pride Parade and why is it in August?
Austin has a long history of LGBTQ pride events, with American politician Michael Burns marking the 25th anniversary of the official celebration in Austin in 2015.
In April 1970, the year after the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, “Austin’s first publicized gathering of gays gathered only 25 brave souls at Y College on Guadalupe Street.” writes Burns.
In June 1976, Mayor Jeff Friedman declared Gay Pride Week celebrations, with parades down Second Street and Congress Avenue. The first Gay and Lesbian Pride Fiesta was held in his 1990, marking the beginning of the city’s annual celebration. The official Pride Parade started in 2002.
Pride Month is, of course, celebrated nationwide in June to commemorate the anniversary of Stonewall, which launched the modern LGBTQ rights movement. So why is Austin Pride held later this year? The Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation moved the event to September 2011, bringing more college students to town. Since 2015 he is held in August. Holding the event later this year will help organizers attract more entertainers than if they try to compete with other Pride events in her June, foundation president Micah Andrés said he expects 2019. told public radio station KUT in 2016.
Is this the first Austin Pride since the pandemic?
It is certainly so. Despite expectations for 2020 and his 2021 event, the Austin Pride organizer postponed the festivities to those years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, the 2020 event would have marked the festival’s 30th anniversary, but organizers are celebrating Austin Pride’s 30th event this month.
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What happens at the Austin Pride Festival?
Rap star CupcakKe is set to headline this year’s festival. The full schedule and line-up of performers have yet to be revealed. Organizers promise inflatable games, carnival rides, drag queen talk time, vendors, and food and drink.
Tickets purchased online through Friday are $17 and VIP options are $150. You can also buy tickets at the gate on Saturday. $20 for adults, $10 for ages 7 to he’s 17, kids 6 and under are free.
What happens at the Austin Pride Parade?
Every year (despite the pandemic), LGBTQ people and their advocates line downtown Congress Avenue to watch marchers and floats pass by. Participation is free. (And if you’re old enough, you can head to an LGBTQ bar in the Warehouse District to keep the party going.)
Is there anything else at Austin Pride?
In reality, there is a week of parties that precede the festival and parade. Things will kick off on his August 11th at 7pm with the Jazz at Pride concert at Skybox (501 W. Sixth St. 4th floor) on the 6th.
Catch Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a special Pride Week performance at The Stage Austin on August 12th and 13th at 8pm at the Dougherty Arts Center (1110 Barton Springs Road). General admission tickets are $25 at austinpride.org.
The Family Pride event will be held on August 14th from 3pm to 5pm at 1830 Simmond Avenue.
Catch a complimentary ‘Out at the Movie’ screening of ‘Sister Act’ for families on August 15th at 8:00 PM at Lawn at the Domain (Century Oaks Terrace 11410). Please bring a folding chair and a blanket. Concessions become possible.
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Fourth & Co. will host Dirty Dynasty Bingo with local drag performers Lady Grackle Birdbreath and Cupcake on August 16th at 7pm at 208 W. Fourth St. The 18+ event is free to play and includes prizes. .
Celebrate the late Olivia Newton-John in the best of “Xanadu” spirit at Rainbow Skate on August 17th from 7-10pm at the Playland Skate Center (8822 McCann Drive). DJ Chorizo Funk spins. We welcome all ages.
Drip Drop 10, the 21+ pool party, will be held on August 19th from 9pm to 2am at the Rio Nightclub & Dayclub (601 Rio Grande St.). DJ Melissa Bellz spins. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 on the day.
Katy-Ann McDonald contributed to this story.