By: Matthew Whitaker
As Corpus Christi prepares for its annual Pride parade, Grand Marshal Brittany Andrews hopes to remind the community that Pride is about being yourself, supporting others and celebrating life together.
For someone who has never attended a Pride parade, showing up for the first time can feel intimidating. They might wonder whether they will fit in, what to expect or whether Pride is even meant for them. But for Brittany Andrews, the 2026 Pride Corpus Christi Grand Marshal, the answer is simple: Pride is about being yourself and supporting the people around you.
“You can celebrate who you are, and that’s really all there is to it… you don’t have to be anything, you just have to be yourself and be willing to enjoy life,” Andrews said, sharing her message to young people.
The 2026 Pride parade will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, along Shoreline Boulevard near Water’s Edge Park. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by a free block party at the Great Lawn from 5 to 10 p.m. For those who may be concerned about accessibility, the event offers accessible parking, restrooms, viewing areas and ramps.
Andrews has spent years entertaining and connecting with people throughout the Coastal Bend. Her path into advocacy, however, was not something she necessarily planned. Instead, she found herself stepping into that role when the events surrounding the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando prompted a local vigil 10 years ago.
The vigil brought members of the community together to support one another and remember those affected by the tragedy. For Andrews, it was a moment that made it clear that she needed to do something to help.
“A bunch of people in our community stepped up to support and show that, you know, we were here for each other,” Andrews said.
That gathering helped lay the groundwork for Pride’s return to Corpus Christi, with the vigil taking place first and the Pride celebration following the next year. What began as a community response to tragedy grew into an opportunity for people throughout the Coastal Bend to come together in celebration and support.
Today, Andrews sees Pride Corpus Christi as an organization whose work reaches beyond the parade itself. She pointed to the organization’s efforts to help people experiencing homelessness and those seeking legal assistance, emphasizing that its role in the community is not limited to LGBTQ+ advocacy.
“I don’t see Pride Corpus Christi as just an LGBTQ+ organization because they help the homeless, they help people trying to get legalized,” Andrews said.
For Andrews, this broader community involvement is part of what makes Pride important. It creates opportunities for people to connect with their neighbors, learn about one another and find ways to offer support. She also described the current Pride Corpus Christi board as proactive in listening to the community and working to make people feel heard and safe.
“I think Pride is an opportunity to get to know your neighbors,” Andrews said.
That invitation extends to people who may not identify as LGBTQ+ themselves. Andrews noted that many parade attendees are allies, people who come to show support for their friends, family members and neighbors. Their presence is a reminder that Pride is not an event reserved for one group of people, but a celebration that welcomes the wider community.
For first-time attendees, there is no need to arrive with a particular level of knowledge or experience. People can come to watch the parade, cheer on participants, spend time with friends and family or simply experience a celebration they may not have attended before. Whether someone is part of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, showing up can be a meaningful way to demonstrate support.
As the Coastal Bend community gathers for this year’s parade, Andrews hopes people will see Pride as an opportunity to embrace themselves and the people around them. Her message is especially important for young people who may still be figuring out where they belong, but it applies to anyone who has ever felt uncertain about being themselves.
At its heart, Pride is an invitation to celebrate individuality while recognizing the value of community. And for those who have never attended, Andrews’ message offers a simple reason to give it a try: come as you are, enjoy life and take the opportunity to get to know your neighbors.
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