Pride Houston 365 responds to ‘Dueling Prides create a house divided’ column  

By Johnny Trlica 

Commentary: We’ve all heard the phrase “perception equals reality” or some version of it. But is that a fact? Perception has been defined as a way of understanding or interpreting things while reality is the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may be perceived or might be imagined. 

An article written by this writer and published in the MONTROSE STAR on June 5 titled, “Dueling Prides create a house divided,” put forth my opinions on Pride Houston 365. It was not a flattering view. Porta-potty issues, cancellation of the Pride Festival, disputes with New Faces of Pride, and ongoing litigation with the former president of the organization all helped form a negative opinion of Pride Houston 365. 

My opinions, like most people’s opinions, are formed from what I read in news publications and social media.  

After the article was published, I had a conversation with Kendra Walker, president of Pride Houston 365. It was an informative and enlightening conversation and, while she defended her organization, was not defensive. She honestly shared insights and details about Pride Houston 365’s decisions and management and shed new light on the topics portrayed in the article. 

I expressed that perhaps the organization can do a better job of presenting its case to the public and improve its perception, as surely my view of what’s going on there is shared by others in our community. Luckily, opinions can change! All it takes is knowing all of the facts, usually. 

Walker was kind enough to reply in writing with a summation of our conversation, sharing facts that the general public may not have already known. In the interest of open and full disclosure, we’d like to present the entire letter to the public. It reads: 

“Dear Johnny, 

“Thank you for your phone call as well concerning the recent article in the Montrose Star discussing the complex landscape of Houston’s LGBTQ+ community. While we value the opportunity for community dialogue, there are several inaccuracies and omissions in the article that need addressing to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the information shared with the public. 

“Firstly, regarding the portrayal of alleged mismanagement at Pride Houston 365, it is essential to clarify a few points for a fair representation. The issue of insufficient portable restrooms in 2023 arose due to a shortfall from our vendor, Nation Waste, who did not deliver the full inventory. We had communicated the locations of these facilities effectively through our website, and many attendees accessed them without issues. The description of this as a result of gross mismanagement does not reflect the efforts and contingencies we put in place. 

“Moreover, the 2022 event did not face capacity issues due to organizational oversight but was a precautionary measure by city officials due to extreme heat, prioritizing attendee safety. We enhanced our cooling stations and provided free water, among other measures, to ensure everyone’s well-being. 

“Regarding the legal matters involving our former executive director, Lorin Roberts, it is crucial to differentiate between the $1.2 million judgment, which remains upheld, and other claims related to non-compete breaches and data destruction. These additional claims were considered for dismissal to focus on community healing, not due to a lack of merit. Litigation is always our last resort; our preference is to resolve disputes amicably. However, when critical assets were withheld post-termination, legal action became necessary to recover what rightfully belonged to the organization. 

“It’s also important to correct any misunderstanding regarding our stance on the new organization, New Faces of Pride. While we have had to defend our trademarks legally, our overarching goal is to promote unity and inclusivity within the community. We have made every effort to settle disputes out of court, and litigation has only been pursued when necessary. 

“We invite the public to review our publicly available financial disclosures and court documents for a transparent view of our operations. This documentation provides a factual basis that counters the narrative of mismanagement and corruption. 

“We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss these matters further in a follow-up article or interview to correct the public record and provide our community with accurate and balanced information. We are committed to moving forward in the spirit of unity and service to the LGBTQ+ community. 

“Thank you for allowing the time to discuss, and I look forward to scheduling a time for further discussion when the schedule of the Board and you align.” 

The email is signed, “Warm regards, Kendra Walker, President, Pride Houston 365”. 

Happy Pride, everyone! 

Johnny Trlica is editor of Houston Rainbow Herald, an LGBTQ+ Facebook page. He has been published in the Fort Bend Herald, Montrose Gem and OutSmart, and has been a writer for MONTROSE STAR for more than 10 years. A lifelong Texas resident, he lived in Montrose for over 30 years and currently resides in Galveston. He may be reached at: HRHeditor@gmail.com. 

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