Abilene Pride 2025 attracts enthusiastic crowd despite threats

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Downtown Abilene was filled with color and celebration Saturday afternoon as the fourth annual Abilene Pride Parade and Festival took place. Despite a rise in anti-LBGTQ+ rhetoric and even threats that circulated on social media in the days leading up to the event, Abilene Pride Alliance President, Ry Pelletier, said they were proud to see those who did come out enjoying fellowship and entertainment.

“Honestly, I was prepared for two people to show up. So the fact that people, even despite the fear, even despite the climate, even despite the comments that we’ve seen on social media… That’s how we stand together, despite all of the things that are going on in the world, the things that are going on in our community,” Pelletier said.

Offerings and events were open to all ages, with all content displayed fitting a family-friendly atmosphere. Those offerings included the parade, vendor booths at the convention center, musical performances, drag queen story hour, and a drag show. An after-party rave was held following the drag performances. That after-party was the only event at which minors were not allowed to attend.

The 2023 parade was held, but the festival had to be cancelled due to security concerns. This year, Pelletier said the APA made some changes to its structure to address safety. In addition to a presence from the Abilene Police Department, a private security firm was hired through community fundraising. Attendees were required to wear wristbands, bring clear bags, and follow a no-firearms policy.

The APA worked closely with local law enforcement to investigate threats of violence against attendees that were made online.

Festivities continued without disruption or violence. There was, however, a protest held outside the convention center. Residents stood on the steps of the building holding signs with phrases such as “Kids should not attend drag shows” and “Hands off our kids”. There was a brief exchange of words between one attendee and that group, but that exchange ended without incident. KTAB/KRBC spoke with one of the protestors, John Berry, who expressed that while they disagreed with the event, they were not there to cause conflict.

“They seem to be friendly on all sides. I haven’t seen any negativity. And that’s our purpose to be here. We’re not here to confront. We’re here to share… I don’t think people of good faith on any side want to see violence. We want to share our feelings about Christ. They want to share their feelings, which we disagree with. And that’s what America is about,” Berry explained.

Among the crowd inside was Casey Harbour, a local college student attending the festival for the second time. Harbour shared a message to those who might have wanted to attend but were unable.

“If you are stuck in a place where you don’t feel safe, I promise you, it gets better. This is my message to them. It gets better,” Harbour said.

Inside the Convention Center, Drag Queen Anastasia @ Nite hosted the story hour by reading children’s books to a crowd that included parents and kids.

Pelletier encouraged those who feel uneasy or opposed to drag shows or LGBTQ+ culture to get to know the people in their community rather than relying on what they’ve heard, saying, “Go meet the people in your community that you are uncomfortable with, that you don’t understand. Get to understand them. Let them get to understand you… Just to get that glimpse of humanity, of wait. You are a person. You’re not just like this thing that I’ve heard about.”

Organizers shared that 1,167 people attended the festival. That number does not include parade attendance.