Organizers of Pride Fort Davis 2025 say they have repeatedly been denied basic information by Jeff Davis County officials regarding public event space and Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) grant applications, despite making four separate requests over the past three weeks.
The proposed event, scheduled for June and hosted at The High Frontier, would be the first pride celebration in Jeff Davis County. It is being organized by the team behind Big Bend Times and Texas Reporter, who also produce other civic-minded events and publications throughout the region. However, efforts to secure public space—such as the courthouse lawn or other county-owned venues—and to apply for relevant grant funding have been met with silence from county officials.
According to public records and emails reviewed by Texas Reporter, requests were first submitted on March 3, followed by reminders on March 6 and March 11. A final message on March 23 stated, “If you continue to neglect responding in a professional manner, I will have no choice but to pursue legal action.” The message emphasized that repeated refusals to provide event information could be viewed as illegal discrimination under state and federal law.
At issue is not just the lack of communication but the inconsistency. Other organizations have received information and assistance when planning public events in Fort Davis, raising questions about whether the silence directed at this particular event is rooted in bias against LGBTQ+ celebrations or the media organizations behind them.
Legal experts say county governments are required to provide access to public facilities and programs without regard to viewpoint or identity. Under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as the Texas Constitution and Civil Rights Act, public officials may not withhold public resources based on the identity of organizers or the nature of the event.
“This is a textbook example of a First Amendment and equal protection violation,” said one constitutional law analyst familiar with the situation. “If other groups are allowed to host events using county property or access HOT grants, you can’t selectively withhold those same resources because you disapprove of the people or message involved.”
The refusal to respond has left event organizers unable to finalize parade routes, coordinate parking, or determine whether county resources such as barricades or sanitation support will be available.
Organizers stress the event is meant to be inclusive, family-friendly, and open to all. The High Frontier, a historic hilltop campus just outside Fort Davis, has agreed to host the festival.
