They came to show their pride — many wearing T-shirts supporting their sexual

orientation — and to network, talk politics and people-watch.

     About 2,000 people — not all gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered — attended the Houston Pride Festival centered along Yoakum and Lovett on Saturday. Many brought their children.

     "The festival is an opportunity to show off the size, strength and diversity of our community. It's an empowering experience to see the vast number of GLBTs in Houston," said Nick Brines, president of Pride Houston, which organized the event.

     City Controller Annise Parker, who is openly gay, challenged participants to work to defeat a statewide referendum that would prohibit same-sex marriage. And as gay Latin performer Jade Esteban Estrada crooned on stage, volunteer Jeff Arndt signed interested couples up for a 2006 mass same-sex wedding ceremony.

     Good friends and softball buddies Rich Pursell and Kenneth Collins said they were motivated to get involved in gay and lesbian political issues, including being allowed to be foster parents, adopt children and get married.

     "It's been a tough year," said Pursell. "I came to get activated. I signed up for a couple of things. It gives me a chance to get off my butt and do something."

     "With the Republicans in office and the religious right, that's why I'm out here to show unity. To show that we have a voice," said Collins.

     Jo Baugus said she came to the festival with her partner, Sue, to listen to music and see people they hadn't seen in a while. But she was disappointed that it wasn't larger.

     "I wish it was more streets. It looks like a last-minute thrown-together event," she said.

     Brines said this was a building year for the festival. Organizers hope to see it become as well-attended as the highly successful night Pride Parade. He said 800 advance tickets were sold for the festival, double what they expected.

     "It's the first year for us to do a festival, so we're learning too. We wanted to do a medium-sized festival," said Brines. "We expect for it to get bigger and better."

     Brines said that next year, they hope to expand the festival to more streets.

     Sheri Duman and her partner Tiffani Snider made it a family outing for their three children. After attending the festival, they set up chairs three hours early for the parade.

     Duman said they attended the events because they felt comfortable there. "We can be united without people giving us a hard time," she said. "Today we can come here and relax and not feel isolated or laughed at."

    

©2005 Houston Chronicle