AUSTIN, Texas — More than 100 people gathered Friday at Fourth and Colorado streets to unveil a new historical marker honoring the area’s LGBTQ+ history, one day before the city’s annual Pride parade.
The marker, titled “As Queer As You Want to Be,” stands on a brick structure painted in LGBTQ+ flag colors and features a bronze plaque.
The plaque notes that the area around Fourth and Colorado streets developed a popular nightlife scene in the 1980s and became a refuge for Austin’s LGBTQ+ community.
Garry Brown, a member of the Austin LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission, said he began pursuing the marker near the end of his time on the city’s Historic Landmark Commission. He said the project took about three years to complete.
“For me, it was overwhelming because this is my baby,” Brown said during the unveiling ceremony.
The ceremony came a month after the city removed Pride-themed crosswalks at Fourth and Colorado streets following a state directive. Brown said the marker project began before the crosswalks were removed.
Brown is now working on a proposal to close Fourth Street between Colorado and Lavaca streets and turn the area into a pedestrian plaza.
Steven Rivas, an LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Commission member representing District 3, said the proposed plaza could create a safer gathering space. He said organizers hope to name it LGBTQ+ Bettie Naylor Memorial Park, honoring Texas women’s and gay rights activist Bettie Naylor, who died in 2012.
Attendees gathered under umbrellas and handheld fans as temperatures approached 90 degrees.
Drag performer Sister Serena Severe said the event gave members of Austin’s LGBTQ+ community an opportunity to gather in person.
The unveiling took place a day before Austin’s Pride parade, which will travel from the Texas Capitol to the Congress Avenue Bridge and feature comedians, artists, dancers and live music.