Gateway City Pride Association

08/05/2026

🎙️ Laredo’s drag community featured on Texas Standard

In this podcast segment, multimedia journalist Patricia Lim examines the chilling effect of Senate Bill 12 on drag performances in Laredo, featuring local drag performer Serene Fantasea and Gateway City Pride.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding SB 12, our community did not go underground. We adapted, remained visible, and continued creating space for people to gather, celebrate, and be themselves.

We are grateful to Texas Standard for sharing Serene’s story and highlighting the resilience of Laredo’s drag performers and LGBTQ+ community. 🏳️‍🌈✨

🎧 Listen to the full Texas Standard podcast here:
https://youtu.be/ddYF70gPw5w

08/03/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Founder and President, Jorge Quijano! 🎉

Gateway City Pride Association is proud to celebrate Jorge on being named the Laredo Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Month for August 2026.

This recognition reflects his continued commitment to building connections, supporting local businesses and organizations, and helping create a stronger, more welcoming community.

As an openly gay leader, Jorge continues to show that LGBTQ+ representation belongs in business, civic leadership, and community service. We are proud of the work he does on behalf of Gateway City Pride and the example he sets for others.

Please join us in congratulating Jorge on this well-deserved recognition! 💙🧡🏳️‍🌈

07/30/2026

Gateway City Pride was recently featured by Texas Standard in a story examining how Senate Bill 12 is affecting drag performers, venues, and the LGBTQ+ community in Laredo.

The story includes a written feature and a short documentary filmed during our 6th Annual Gateway City Pride Festival.

We are grateful to Texas Standard and visual journalist Patricia Lim for taking the time to listen to our community and document how performers, business owners, and advocates continue navigating uncertainty while creating safe and welcoming spaces in Laredo.

Read the story and watch the documentary below. 🏳️‍🌈

Serene Fantasea Frontera Beer Garden Hal's Restaurant Bar

Senate Bill 12, which went into effect in March, restricts "sexually oriented performances" in public spaces or in front of children. Critics say the law is too vague.

07/15/2026

🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ Why was Gateway City Pride created?

People often ask why Gateway City Pride was created.

The answer goes back to a simple idea.

Over the past six years, we’ve learned, grown, adapted, and celebrated alongside our community. Through it all, one thing has remained the same: our belief that Pride is bigger than any one person, organization, or event.

This carousel reflects the vision that has guided Gateway City Pride since day one… why partnerships have always been at the heart of our work, and why we believe building community is something we all do together.

Our mission has always been simple:

Building Bridges. Opening Doors. Creating Conversations.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Whether you’ve volunteered, partnered with us, attended an event, or simply supported our mission, you’ve helped make Gateway City Pride what it is today.

Here’s to continuing to build a more welcoming, inclusive, and connected Laredo together. 🌈

07/02/2026

🏳️‍⚧️ Creating opportunities for many voices to be heard.

Yesterday, Gateway City Pride Association had the opportunity to speak with KGNS News following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision regarding transgender student-athletes.

As an organization, we believe conversations impacting the LGBTQ+ community are strongest when they include diverse perspectives and lived experiences. We appreciate KGNS News for also providing a platform for a member of the transgender community to share their voice.

Our mission has never been to be the only voice.

Our mission has always been to help create opportunities where many voices can be heard.

Together, we will continue building a community rooted in visibility, education, respect, and belonging. 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈

07/01/2026

🏳️‍🌈 As Pride Month 2026 comes to a close, our hearts are filled with gratitude 🏳️‍⚧️

From sponsors and donors to volunteers, performers, vendors, community partners, business allies, media partners, and every person who attended an event, shared a post, or offered words of encouragement - THANK YOU 🙏

This year’s Pride Month was made possible because of the incredible people, businesses, and organizations that chose to stand with us in celebration, education, advocacy, visibility, and community.

To every business that opened its doors, every organization that collaborated, every volunteer who gave their time, and every supporter who believed in our mission… you helped make Pride Month 2026 one to remember.

Together, we continue building a stronger, more welcoming, and more inclusive Laredo.

💜 Thank you for believing in Gateway City Pride Association.

🌈 Here’s to Pride Month 2027.

🏳️‍🌈

06/30/2026

🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision regarding transgender athletes 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

As an organization, our mission remains unchanged: to foster a community where every LGBTQ+ individual is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

To our transgender community and their families: you are seen, you are valued, and you are not alone.

Please take a moment to read our full statement.

💙🩷🤍🩷💙

06/28/2026

🌈✨ What a fantastic way to wrap up the final weekend of Pride Month in Laredo! ✨🌈

As Pride Month came to a close, Gateway City Pride was proud to continue supporting the many events that help make our community vibrant, welcoming, and diverse.

🎤 We enjoyed Wickedly Twisted Entertainment’s Pride Lip Sync Battle at Hal’s Restaurant, hosted by Irene the Alien, where talented performers competed for the $500 grand prize. Congratulations to the winner (Lorena Maxin) and to everyone who took the stage!

🤼 We also stopped by Pride Mania, presented by Five Star Wrestling Academy on Hal’s patio, for an action-packed evening of wrestling, entertainment, and community.

One of the best parts of the night was reconnecting with familiar faces, congratulating performers, and celebrating alongside members of our LGBTQ+ community and our allies.

At Gateway City Pride, we’ve always believed that Pride is bigger than any one organization. It’s strengthened by the many organizations, businesses, entertainers, volunteers, and community members who create spaces where everyone can feel welcomed, celebrated, and supported.

Thank you to everyone who made this Pride Month special. Here’s to continuing to build a stronger, more connected, and more inclusive community—not just during Pride Month, but all year long.

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

06/23/2026

🌈✨ WHAT A WEEKEND FOR PRIDE IN LAREDO! ✨🌈

This past weekend was another wonderful reminder that Pride Month is filled with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and support our LGBTQ+ community.

💚 Thursday – Orgullo Laredo Youth & Safe Haven hosted the Freedom of Love Health Fair in the South, bringing together community resources, health information, and local organizations.

😂 Friday – Laredo Funny had everyone laughing at the Pride Comedy Showcase, proving that joy and laughter are an important part of Pride.

☕ Saturday – Savora Café welcomed the community for a beautiful Pride Brunch, hosted by Abi Blade and Mackenzie Cheer.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Month continues! Join us at these upcoming events:

🧘 Thursday, June 25
Power Yoga for Pride
📍 MiSpacio
🕡 6:30 PM

🎬 Friday, June 26
Laredo Film Society Presents…
A heartfelt film that’s been winning over audiences everywhere. ❤️
📍 Doors: 7:00 PM | 🎞️ Movie: 8:00 PM

🤼 Saturday, June 27
Five Star Wrestling Academy presents Pride Mania
📍 Hal’s Restaurant Patio
🕖 7:00 PM

Thank you to everyone helping make Pride Month in Laredo a celebration of visibility, education, wellness, entertainment, and community. We encourage everyone to continue supporting the many events taking place throughout June.

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

06/17/2026

🏳️‍🌈 Celebrating Freedom of Love Pride Month at City Hall 🏳️‍⚧️

This morning, Gateway City Pride Association was honored to attend the City of Laredo’s Freedom of Love Pride Month Proclamation alongside community organizations, advocates, elected officials, and supporters.

Thank you to Orgullo Laredo Youth & Safe Haven for bringing our community together to recognize Freedom of Love Pride Month and the continued importance of visibility, inclusion, and support for Laredo’s LGBTQ+ community.

It was encouraging to see so many organizations, community leaders, and allies gathered under one roof. While each organization serves our community in its own unique way, we all share the common goal of helping create a Laredo where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

Happy Pride Month! 🌈💜