The Pride 2009 Grand Marshal title is divided into four categories: Men, Women, Honorary, and Organization.
The following organizations have been nominated by members of the community as significant figures in the GLBT community worthy of public recognition for their deeds and contributions. You may vote for any of these organizations at one of the locations listed on the events calendar. Regardless of title, we appreciate all the effort and voluntary action of each of these organizations in advancing awareness of GLBT issues.
THE GREATER HOUSTON GLBT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Greater Houston GLBT Chamber of Commerce is an organization of broad-based members advocating the economic and cultural development of the Houston GLBT community and supporting businesses. For 14 years, the Chamber has brought together the business, political, social and charitable sectors of the Houston GLBT Community. The Chamber has contributed to and assisted in hosting fundraising efforts for numerous non-profits. The Chamber has offered educational presentations for members of the community and been a tool for networking between the GLBT and mainstream communities. The Chamber organized the Empower event for many years offering a job fair, entertainment venue and leadership forum. The Chamber continues to host the Honoring Our Allies event which recognizes the best allies of the Houston GLBT Community. The Chamber symbolizes the diverse aspect of our community, as it is the ONLY organization within the Houston GLBT Community that focuses on bringing together the both mainstream and GLBT leaders and representatives of the business, political, social and non-profit communities in the areas of education, networking and philanthropy.
GULF COAST ARCHIVE & MUSEUM
Gulf Coast Archive and Museum of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender History, Inc. held its first meeting in October 1999. Only July 7, 1999 13 like-minded community members gathered at the Montrose Library, along with Dr. James Sears of One Institute to discuss the need for a GLBT Museum in Houston. The organization was established to collect, preserve and provide access to historical items from the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community; to encourage education and research for anyone (regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or religion) interested in learning about any aspects of the glbt community and to sponsor meetings for communication and display of collected materials. Within the first year, GCAM attended a Leading & Learning Funding Seminar by invitation of and 100% underwritten by John Kellett, ; received its first Grant from JPMorgan Chase via Richard Bielec and Brandon Wolf; and was the first organization ever to have its logo painted on the front window at Mary's... Naturally just to name a few accomplishments for such a young organization. GCAM's first exhibit and first official Pride Event at 2507 Capitol Street spanned approximately 3 "Decades of Pride" including several items from 1950. There were several speakers at the preview evening. Sue Schechter, Harris County Democrat chief chairwoman; Phyllis Frye, Attorney and GCAM Board of Governors member, and Ray Hill all briefly addressed the crowd. A Proclamation from the Mayor, was presented by City Council member Annise Parker, also on the GCAM Board of Governors. GCAM also participated as a walking entry in the Pride Parade 2000. Throughout its first decade GCAM had its ups and downs, eventually putting the 30+ thousand items in storage for safe keeping. In October 2008 GCAM rented office space from Montrose Couseling Center in its new space and entered into an agreement with MCC to display artwork and artifacts on the walls of the first floor GLBT Cultural Center area, encompassing 4,000 square feet of wall space. GCAM feels it will have a long association with MCC but is still searching for permanent housing for the now nearly 40 thousand items.
THE HOUSTON AREA BEARS
The Houston Area Bears has been around for over 16 years in the Houston community as a social club for Bears, Cubs, Admirers, Chasers, Otters, and Friends of the Bear Community. The organization was originally founded in 1992 as the Gulf Coast Bears and evolved into the Houston Area Bears as we know them today. The Houston Area Bears is a Texas not for profit organization. The main function of the organization is to provide a social outlet for the bear community of Houston and surrounding areas. We offer events that allow members to interact with each other and build friendships within the community and within our own bear family. We have a monthly social at Tony's Corner Pocket every 1st Sunday of the month from 3-7pm on the patio. Our monthly business meetings are every second Wednesday of the month at Central Market located the corner of Westhiemer and Wesleyan at 7pm, We have a meet-n-greet dinner at 6:30pm before the meeting. Our other events include picnics, movie outings, bowling, camping, pool parties and a variety of other activities. We also participate in the Houston Pride Parade to give the big boys a chance to show our stuff. The Houston Area Bears has our annual Bearwatch event every May in Galveston, TX. If you want more information on Bearwatch 10 please check out www.bearwatch.net for more info on this year's event. The Houston Area Bears is a member of the Houston Council of Clubs and the larger state organization Texas Council of Clubs. Along with our brother/sister organizations in The Houston Council of Clubs we assist with organizing the Let us Entertain You! (L.U.E.Y.) weekend every year. Originally the Bears started helping out as volunteers for other organizations in the community assisting with their fund raising campaigns. It was a way for The Houston Area Bears to help out the other community organization and support there efforts while building friendship and a community family. We have always been the go to group to offer a helping "paw" when one of the other organizations needs a helping hand. Eventually Houston Area Bears began doing our own fund raising for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the community. In the last 16 years The Houston Area Bears has raised thousands of dollars each year for such organizations as, The Lazarus House, Houston Buyers Club, and our most recent benefactor H.A.T.C.H. The Houston Area Bears also continues to help out others by volunteering for other organizations in the community The Houston Area Bears are very excited to be nominated as the 2009 Pride Parade Grand Marshall and look forward to joining everyone in the Houston GLBT Community with the fight for equality. Let's go "Out 4 Justice"!!!
LEGACY COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
Legacy community Health Services is a full-service, Federal Qualified Health Center that provides comprehensive, primary healthcare services to all Houstonians in a cultural sensitive, Judgment-fre and confidential environment. Legacy has a 30-years history of providing Healthcare services to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender community and contines to focus may of its services on this community, specializing in HIV/AIDS testing and treatment. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most health insurance plans and offer slidig fee scales at three locations in Houston. Generous financial support from individual, business and charitable foundations allows Legacy to provide no-cost or low-cost healthcare service to over 20,000 men, women and children each year. www.legacycommunityhealth.org.
401 Branard St, 
: 713.529.6979
