THE RED CROSS OF CENTRAL TEXAS SHOWS ITS PRIDE

Left to Right: Barry Boyce, Sarah Clark, Jose Dominguez, Laura Morrison, Marty McKellips, Debbie Immel

Last weekend marked the first time our Red Cross chapter participated in the annual Austin Pride Parade!  We weren't sure how it was all going to work out and getting everything organized in the weeks leading up to the parade was trying at times, but it ended up being so incredibly fun!  Walking through the staging area before the parade began and seeing all of the organizations that came out to support the LGBT community made me so proud to be an Austinite.

And then a funny thing happened.  As the Red Cross contingent marched down to the Warehouse district with the ERV following close behind (sometimes a little too close!), I started to hear spectators cheering for the Red Cross!  Cheering and waving their arms and giving high fives as we passed by!  Cheering because we were part of this event, cheering because of the great work that we do and cheering because we were doing our part to support all segments of this community.  That night, I was so proud to be a part of the American Red Cross.

After the parade was over, we picked up one of the most nicely dressed hitchhikers that I've ever seen.  It turned out to be City Councilwoman Laura Morrison who was also one of the Grand Marshals of the Pride Parade!  She was kind enough to take a picture with us and even let Jose wear her sash.

We are definitely planning on participating again next year and hope to have even more staff and volunteers come out and march with us.  I, for one, will not miss it!

~Sarah Clark, Executive Assistant   

JOIN US AT THE AUSTIN PRIDE PARADE THIS SATURDAY

Our Chapter will be marching in the Austin Pride Parade this Saturday, June 5th at 8:30pm in support of the Austin LGBT community. We want as many Red Cross staff and volunteers down there as we can get! Please feel free to bring friends and family as well as we support the Austin LGBT community. 

What to Wear

Wear your vest!!  Of course, if you have any Red Cross apparel please wear that as well.  And comfortable shoes.  We will have some extra vests at the event.

Parking

Public parking near the Long Center will be available for $10 in the following garages/lots:

·         Palmer Events Center Garage – Handicapped accessible parking is available in this garage on all levels near the elevators.

·         One Texas Center Parking Garage and Lot (505 Barton Springs Road)

The staging area for the parade will be on Auditorium Shores west of 1^st Street.  We will not know our exact position in line until Saturday so just look for the ERV!!

What Time To Get There

Please be at the staging area by 7:30pm.

Parade Route

The parade will go from Auditorium Shores down Cesar Chavez to Congress and then into the Warehouse District via 4^th Street.  See parade map below:

Walking groups will disband at 4^th and Guadalupe and the ERV will need to continue down Guadalupe and back to the staging area.

The parade ends at the Austin Pride Block Party in the Warehouse District.  There is a $10 admission charge for the Block Party (which also gets you into every other Austin Pride Festival event except Mario Cantone) and it promises to be quite a party!  Blake Lewis, Frenchie Davis and DJ Chris Cox will be taking the stage and yummy food from places such as Carl’s Jr., The Belmont and Mangia Pizza will be onsite as well.  The Block Party is 21 and up.

If you are not interested in attending the Block Party, cabs and pedi-cabs will be available to get you back to the parking garages near the Long Center.

What to Bring

Everyone participating in the parade must sign a Liability Waiver and Photo Release Form.  You can print out the form here and bring it with you to the parade.  We will also have forms available at the staging area.  You will not be able to walk in the parade if you do not sign this form.

What Not To Bring

• Alcohol or drugs
• Confetti, silly string or air horns
• Balloons filled with anything other than helium or air
• Bricks, stones or any other projectile launching equipment (including water pistols)
• Body armor
• Probably best to also leave your dogs at home for this event

Hope to see you all on Saturday!

For more information, please contact Sarah Clark at sclark@centex.redcross.org