(Seguin) — Organizers of a Pride Fest planned for Seguin this fall say their goal is to bring love and unity to the community.
The Riverside Pride Fest is scheduled for October 31 at the Seguin Coliseum, and organizers are responding to criticism from some community members who have spoken out against the event online.
Pride Fest Board Member Hunter Bledsoe says pride events are about bringing people together. He says that’s exactly what they hope to do in Seguin.
“Pride Fests are times where people from the LGBTQ community and their allies can come together and just enjoy being who we are. You know, there’s a lot of hate in the world and we just like to have, you know, one day out of the year to just have fun, be ourselves and enjoy being the people that God made us to be,” said Bledsoe.
Bledsoe says Pride Fest will be a free public event, with the early portion of the day designed for a broader audience.
“So, it’ll start at 10 o’clock in the morning and the main part of it goes to 1;45 p.m. We’re going to have booths and vendors. There’ll be food and we’ll have some live music. There’ll be face painting and just the kind of things you would expect to find at a festival,” said Bledsoe.
Because of Texas Senate Bill 12, organizers say minors will not be allowed during the later portion of the event due to state restrictions involving drag performances.
“Texas has passed a law that drag shows can’t have anybody under 18 in attendance. So, at 1:45, we’ll shut the event down. And then at 2:15 p.m., after we’ve cleared everybody out, we’ll open the event back up for 18 and over only. So, we’ll be checking IDs at the door and there will only be adults inside. And that’s when we’ll have our drag show,” said Bledsoe.
Bledsoe says drag is often misunderstood, but organizers intend to fully comply with all state laws and regulations.
“Drag gets a bad rap. All it is, is an art form. We’ve had people dressing up to perform for centuries, and now all of a sudden, it’s a problem. But we’re following the law, doing what we’re told to do, and we will have 18 and only from 2:15 p.m. on for our drag show,” said Bledsoe.
Some online critics have argued that the event conflicts with their religious beliefs, but Bledsoe says he believes much of the backlash is rooted in something other than religion. He says while he expected some opposition, he wishes the response had been different.
“I’m disappointed every time that we have attacks like this because where it all comes from…it’s all based on white Christian teachings. It’s not based on Christ. It’s based on the white Christian teachings. They want to quote scripture at us and say that we’re an abomination. But I challenge them to show me where Jesus ever said that. You know, they’re saying they want to be Christian, which means Christ-like. What they’re doing and the way that they’re treating people, human beings, is nothing Christ-like,” said Bledsoe.
Bledsoe says people have the right to disagree with the event, but he does not believe that disagreement should prevent others from exercising their own freedoms.
“Everybody’s open to believe what they believe, but trying to shut down a peaceful pride celebration, because in your version of Christianity, it’s wrong. That’s just not what we do here in the United States. This is the land of the free,” said Bledsoe.
He says Riverside Pride Fest is more than just drag performances or appearances, adding that organizers hope to provide a positive celebration for the community.
“Pride is so much more than that. It’s just a day to be able to enjoy people in our community together and hopefully step away from all the stuff we’re having to fight, all the laws that are trying to be passed against our community. We’ve become the scapegoat, (and) the person to hate. It seems like people have to have somebody to hate. And so that’s our community now. Our Pride Fest has nothing to do with hate. It’s about love and inclusion and welcoming people,” said Bledsoe.
Organizers say those who do not wish to attend are free not to participate, while those interested in the event will be welcomed.
Bledsoe says organizers also expect continued opposition leading up to the event but says they are following current laws and will continue to comply with any legal requirements, even as future legislative changes remain possible.
“It’s just people trying to legislate their beliefs and hate, and we’re just going to stand up and fight it. That’s all we can do,” said Bledsoe.
According to social media posts, several opponents of the event are expected at tonight’s Seguin City Council meeting. While the city owns the Seguin Coliseum, it does not directly approve events held there. The facility is a public rental space available to groups that secure an open date and pay the required fees.
Bledsoe says organizers also plan to attend tonight’s meeting to share information directly about the 2026 Riverside Pride Fest. The Seguin City Council meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. today at Seguin City Hall.
The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 12, which broadly addresses public performances that have an adult theme and that might be available to children.
According to social media posts, several opponents of the event are expected at tonight’s Seguin City Council meeting. While the city owns the Seguin Coliseum, it does not directly approve events held there. The facility is a public rental space available to groups that secure an open date and pay the required fees.
Bledsoe says organizers also plan to attend tonight’s meeting to share information directly about the 2026 Riverside Pride Fest. The Seguin City Council meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. today at Seguin City Hall.