(CORPUS CHRISTI) – Amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), the Mosaic Project of South Texas made the difficult decision to postpone PRIDE 2020 activities from June to October 2020.  The Board of the Mosaic Project of South Texas have been closely monitoring developments and keeping abreast of guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the State of Texas, and the City-County Health District regarding mass public gatherings.

“It is clear to us that postponing PRIDE 2020 events for a few months is the right course of action to protect the health and safety of the LGBTQIA+ community, our sponsors, allies, friends and families in the Coastal Bend,” said Tom Tagliabue, President of the four-year old organization which plans the annual PRIDE events. “To limit the potential for community spread the prudent decision is to postpone all scheduled PRIDE events. During this difficult time, we are incredibly grateful for the support shown by the Coastal Bend community, our sponsors, volunteers, and participants in making PRIDE 2020 a success. We look forward to working with everyone to have a great celebration in October.”

The Board of the Mosaic Project of South Texas also stated it will continue to monitor COVID-19 and evaluate which PRIDE events can be held in October. “Hopefully conditions will improve over the summer and we can have several PRIDE events,” said Bill Hoelscher, long time Mosaic Project board member and CEO of the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation. “October is LGBTQ History Month so it will be a good time for the LGBTQIA+ community to come together.”

Board member Jonathan Swindle commented, “We will re-organize events to embody what PRIDE means to the LGBTQIA+ community. Our community has faced epidemics before and we want to demonstrate once again that we can balance the welfare of the public, show compassion and care for those suffering, and still celebrate the strength and resiliency of LGBTQIA+ individuals.”

Board member David Villarreal stated, “The COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyone’s lives – physically, emotionally, and financially. PRIDE events are going to be respectful of the economic conditions and struggles that families, businesses, and individuals are dealing with.  Events are going to encourage full participation of the LGBTQIA+ community, our allies, our friends, and families.”

Reverend Dana Worsham, Board member and pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ, offered: “We’re praying for victims of COVID-19, especially the doctors, nurses, associates and other health care professionals devoting their hearts and souls to saving lives. PRIDE is going to take every precaution to protect the health and safety of the community so we can unite and highlight the critical role LGBTQIA+ individuals play in the Coastal Bend.”

Updates will be posted on the pridecorpuschristi.com website and on the group’s Facebook page.

The mission of the Mosaic Project of South Texas, Inc. is to create an inclusive community by promoting the well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community through love and mutual respect. We do this by producing PRIDE events that foster a sense of community which encourages LGTBQIA+ citizens to live openly and with pride and educate the public of our shared cultural heritage. The Mosaic Project of South Texas seeks to build and strengthen relationships among participating individuals, community groups, and businesses that share the common goal of preserving and championing the dignity and respect of the LGBTQIA+ community.