Council member Abby Kamen welcomed attendees to the fourth annual Families with Pride festival at Discovery Green on Saturday, calling the event “for Houston families by Houston families” and urging support for LGBTQ+ children and families.

The festival brought elected leaders, nonprofit partners and municipal departments together for a morning of family-focused activities, free health services and voter information. Organizers and officials described the event as both a celebration of inclusion and a visible show of support amid recent controversies affecting the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Council member Abby Kamen said the festival grew from requests by District C residents who wanted “to celebrate pride with their family in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.” Kamen noted the event has expanded over four years and highlighted resources on site, including free vaccines from the Houston Health Department, story time, arts and crafts, a rainbow market and a “proud puppy parade.”

Tammy Wallace, co‑founder, CEO and president of the Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, thanked partners and volunteers and urged attendees to “be proud” and share images on social media using the festival hashtag. Wallace led the Chamber’s participation in organizing and sponsoring the event.

Catherine Lott, president of Discovery Green, said the park’s mission is to gather “all communities together here in a safe space” and described the park as an ongoing host for cultural events that reflect Houston’s diversity.

U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, who represents the area in Congress, welcomed the visible display of support and said she will continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ protections in Washington, adding she is “proud to be a vice chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus.”

Blake Ellis, speaking for Commissioner Leslie Briones, criticized the last‑minute cancellation of a separate event mentioned during remarks and said, “When they try to silence our community, we only get louder.” The remarks were framed by several speakers as evidence of the need for visible community events.

Several local officials and agencies used the platform to highlight services and civic participation. Harris County tax assessor Annette Ramirez reminded attendees that early voting begins Monday, Oct. 20, and urged residents to check their registration and vote. Naomi Macias, assistant director at the Houston Health Department, described the department’s onsite services and said the agency offers low‑ and no‑cost vaccines and a range of public‑health services across the city.

Houston Police Department Chief Megan Howard thanked organizers and said officers are part of the community: “the police are the community and the community are the police,” adding the department was present to help ensure public safety at the event and at later downtown protests. Officer Joe Jones and other HPD personnel were specifically acknowledged by speakers for providing on‑site support.

Organizers listed sponsors and partners including the Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, Discovery Green, NRG, Cigna, Comcast, CenterPoint, United Airlines, Outsmart magazine, University of Houston Special Collections and Rice University (banner project), and several local nonprofit service providers such as Equality Texas, Legacy Community Health, Montrose Center, Grace Place and Tony’s Place.

Kamen closed by asking families to take advantage of the resources at the festival and to “show up” at the ballot box. The program concluded with a planned proud puppy parade and community activities for families.