Living Loud and Proud

Donations of artifacts and other items are just a part of what keeps GCAM going. The museum runs on a shoestring budget of $700 per month. "It doesn't seem like much, but for us it's a lot," Reeves explains. The museum receives limited financial support from grants, with the lion's share coming from individual donations. Reeves laughs that this is one of those times when every dollar really does count.

Because of limited funds, GCAM won't be able to have a float in this year's Pride Parade, but the organization will be represented nonetheless, with a table in Pride's "Education Tent" to bolster the museum's efforts as well as bring awareness to Houston's rich LGBT history.

Madison Hildebrand

DJ Michael Tank

Related Content

• Here, Eat This: A Beginner's Guide to British Cuisine
  April 30, 2013
• Too Far to Care
  August 23, 2012
• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Food Critics: Jonathan Kauffman, Lauren Shockey and Hanna Raskin Weigh In
  December 10, 2012
• Nero Returns to Make Halloween Something Wicked
  October 24, 2012
• Comment of the Day: In Honor of Memorial Day?
  May 29, 2012

More About

• Wonderland Houston
• Pride Houston
• Madison Hildebrand
• LGBT Issues
• Food and Cooking

The Education Tent is exactly where Reeves wants GCAM to be, not just in terms of Pride but also in the community. "It's GCAM's mission to educate people, starting with school-aged children, on AIDS and the LGBT lifestyle." It's her assessment that when children are introduced to gays at a young age, they will be more accepting as adults.

"I come in and talk to them and they see me as this grandma, just like theirs, and maybe they will learn to have a little more love in their hearts."

The Gulf Coast Archive & Museum of LGBT History Inc. is located at the LGBT Cultural Center inside the Montrose Counseling Center, 401 Branard St. For more information, visit gcam.org.
_____________________

Living Loud and Proud

Celebrating Houston's Pride 2012

For more than 33 years, Pride Houston has been honoring and supporting the city's ever-growing LGBT community. While the organization works year-round, much of its efforts are focused on the week of June 17 through 23, which has been designated Pride Week. At the heart of it are the festival and parade, where Houstonians celebrate living out and proud.

During Pride Week, the entire city lights up with parties and events leading up to the big day. The Houston Press has your guide to where to get your Pride on.

Saturday,

June 16

"I'm Beautiful Damn It! A Bette Midler Bash"

Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana bayoucityperformingarts.com

Kick off Pride Week with a performance honoring the one and only Bette Midler. The Gay Men's Chorus of Houston will be performing hits from Midler's extensive repertoire, featuring a Midler impersonator. Joining the chorus will be dancers from the Sam Houston State University Dance Department, Tye Blue and the Dream Girls, the finalist from Pride SuperStar and much more. 7:30 p.m.

Sunday,June 17

Baba Yega

2607 Grant St. babayega.com

If your Saturday somehow turned into Sunday, there's nothing better than a brunch throw-down. Baba Yega, nestled right off of Pride central, has got you covered with ready-made omelets, smoked ham and plenty of carbs to soak up the evening's celebration. The brunch buffet is just $21, and no one will make you feel bad if you go back for thirds.

"Salvation: A Pride Pool Party"

ROAK, 3320 Kirby

facebook.com/pridehouston

Whether you've been hitting the gym or not, it's pool-party time! Grab your favorite trunks and cannonball over to ROAK. The pool party takes place from noon to 5 p.m., with good tunes and plenty of Sunday-­afternoon cocktails. A suggested donation of $25 gets you splashing around.

Tuesday,

June 19

Draglive! And Proud

F Bar, 202 Tuam

fbarhouston.com

Beginning at 10 p.m., local host extraordinaire Tye Blue will be at F Bar for a drag-umental evening of performance. The Dreamgirls will take the stage to perform beloved songs for everyone to sing along to. Free for those 21 and over.

"Rock the Runway"

South Beach, 810 Pacific St.

southbeachthenightclub.com

If beautiful people in high fashion sounds like your perfect evening out, sashay over to South Beach for the annual Pride Fashion Show. This year, the models will be donning threads from Aussie Bum, N2N, Paul Ferrer Texas, Skimpeez and more. The doors open at 8 p.m., with the runway rolling out at 9 p.m., which should give you just enough time to get some samplings of Ketel One, the party's sponsor. The event is free.

Wednesday,

June 20

"Pride in the Park"

BBVA Compass Stadium, 2200 Texas

Facebook.com/pridehouston/events Pride Houston is swapping out rainbows for some orange! The Houston Dynamo are joining in on the week's festivities with a special Pride night at the soccer park and discounted tickets to the game. For $20, you can show your pride in one of the Endline seats and root your hometown team on. Discount code for the game is available on Houston Pride's Facebook page.

Thursday,

June 21

"Pride SuperStar Finale"

South Beach, 810 Pacific St.

southbeachthenightclub.com

The competition has been fierce, but the wait is finally over. For the past two months, 12 singers have been in an all-out battle of the voices for who will be crowned Pride SuperStar. Now in its sixth year, the event is Houston's version of American Idol. The winner will receive a host of prizes including studio time at the Grammy-winning Urbana Recording Studio, a cruise, cash and lots more. Additionally, the Pride Super­Star will be given the royal treatment at the Pride Festival with a spotlight performance for all of Houston to see. Come out to South Beach starting at 9 p.m. to see the finalists sing their hearts out.