Greg Abbott can pave over a rainbow painted crosswalk, but neither he, the state of Texas or any elected officials can pave over Montrose.
The corner of Taft and Westheimer is sacred ground - where Pride marched, where the Westheimer Street Festival roared, where rebellious youth cruised in cars, where queer people (and straight people and everything in between people) found each other in the dark.
Painting over that rainbow isn’t about “policy”, it’s cowardice, fear and hatred.
You can paint over a rainbow, but you can’t wash away a history built on acceptance, community and the radical courage to be yourself. You can’t erase a neighborhood in Houston that’s been established for generations - artists, lovers, outlaws, survivors - who built this city’s culture while others tried (and still try) to tear it down.
This isn’t just about a crosswalk.
It’s about erasing the symbol of safety that told so many of us we belonged here.
This control doesn’t stop at a mere crosswalk, it is one example of many at an attempt to harm and weaken the spirit of a community.
Montrose. Keep painting your beautiful, loud and tacky rainbow and trans flags. Keep being free. And for god’s sake keep going to Numbers Nightclub. ❤️
Photo still from “Friday I’m In Love”
Houston's 1st Pride Parade - July 1, 1979
Photos from the Botts Collection
1. Original parade banner
2-4. Numbers float
5. Houston Gay Chicano Caucus
6. Disco Grandma, the Grand Marshall
7. Debra Danburg, Texas Democratic State Rep. (middle)
8. Kids riding in a car
9. Baton twirler performing
10. Ray Hill
11. Dona Day
12. Unidentified
13. Sheri?
14. Parade attendees at Mary’s
#houston #houstonpride #montrose #numbersnightclub #houstonlgbt #houstonhistory #1970s #70s #texas #texashistory #texaslgbt
Thank you to all who came out on Friday for the screening at @theriveroakstheatre ! It was a great audience and so wonderful to show it again in that beautiful venue. Thank you all for the continuous love, support and enthusiasm.
Stay tuned for future screenings of the film.
Thank you to everyone who came to @theriveroakstheatre to see the Numbers doc. It was a total dream of mine to show this film at such a historic venue, a dream I wanted since I started the film 12 years ago. I fell in love with River Oaks as a 17 year old queer kid running around the theatre performing as Frank-n-Furter, so it was a truly incredible experience to show the Numbers doc in that same room all these years later.
I said it on Friday night and I’ll say it again a million times - we must protect our special institutions like @numbersnightclubofficial that are leaders in creating community, belonging and tolerance and for allowing us to experience a sense of freedom through music and dancing. This is vital, now more than ever.
Thank you @robsauce2500 and @riveroakstheatre for inviting me to show the film. Thank you to @numbersnightclubofficial , the owner of Numbers @rudibunch and @djweswallace for your gracious support all these years and the whole Numbers community for your continued love and excitement for this story and film. I will continue to share this film as much as I possibly can.
A forever thank you to the extremely talented @realteeth@barrycoffing@fightinmadmary@chanteachantea for helping me make the film (and hundreds of others along the way!)
The night wouldn’t have been possible without my old club friends @ijustgothitdotcom and @snake_dreams who helped me sell all the merch at the screening!! Yall are the best!
There will be another screening of the film at River Oaks on January 3rd - tickets in the bio. ❤️
SOLD OUT !
Ok Houston !! Finally getting to show the documentary at the legendary @riveroakstheatre on Friday, November 29. This is a dream come true. ❤️ Link for tickets in bio ! Friday night at @numbersnightclubofficial after the screening.
Still one of my fav vintage Numbers pics.
Taken in the women’s restroom, early 1980s
#houston #htx #montrose #newwave #nightclub #numbersnightclub #clubkids #1980s #80s
Screening in San Marcos this Tuesday May 7th as part of the First Tuesday Film Series. Doors at 6:15pm and film at 7pm, at the Price Center. 222 W San Antonio St, SMTX
Visit firsttuesdaysmtx.com for tickets !
Hey Chicago!!!
Friday I’m In Love will be screening on Sunday, May 12th in Chicago at The University of Chicago at the Screening Room on campus.
Doors at 5:30PM, screening at 6PM. Panel discussion with myself and others from the university will follow the film. The event is free and seats are first come first serve. 🖤
Thanks to Joshua Silver and The University of Chicago for putting on this screening.
Hi friends in Los Angeles or the LA area. I’m doing a special screening of the doc at my alma mater @calarts in Valencia.
The screening is this Thursday March 14, doors at 4pm screening at 4:30pm in the Bijou theater on the second floor across from the library. I will be there doing a Q+A after. The event is free.
For non campus students and faculty you will have to sign in with security and park in front of the blue wall by the entrance. So excited for this moment !!!
Public news ad for @clan.of.xymox and @moevofficial for their Numbers show in 1989. I heard this show was incredible! “Cruciy Me” will forever be one of my favorite songs.
