Organizers of Pride Fort Davis 2025—a first-of-its-kind event in Jeff Davis County celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the LGBTQ+ community—say they’ve been unable to move forward with key planning because county officials have refused to respond to four separate requests for public facility information.
Despite strong support for the event from Fort Davis’ newest and largest hotel property, as well as other local businesses, Jeff Davis County officials have stonewalled organizers seeking to rent publicly owned spaces such as the courthouse lawn and pavilion. The silence has raised serious concerns of viewpoint discrimination, particularly given that other groups have historically used these spaces without difficulty.
“The county’s refusal to even acknowledge our requests is a blatant example of government discrimination,” said David Flash, publisher of Big Bend Times and Texas Reporter, and one of the lead organizers of the event. “We have complied with every process we know, yet we’ve been met with a wall of silence that would never happen to a different type of event.”
Pride Fort Davis 2025: A Celebration of Love and Community
Scheduled for June 2025, Pride Fort Davis 2025 promises a vibrant day of events, including:
- Live music performances by LGBTQ+ artists
- Drag shows and comedy acts
- Vendor markets and community resource booths
- Workshops on LGBTQ+ issues and history
- Youth activities, a pet parade, and a family-friendly Kids’ Zone
- Art exhibits, film screenings, and literary readings
Accessibility and inclusivity are core to the planning, with ASL interpretation, safe spaces, and wheelchair-accessible areas ensured for all.
A Call for Accountability
Organizers are urging the public to email the Jeff Davis County Commissioners Court and demand fair treatment for Pride Fort Davis 2025.
Emails can be sent to:
County Judge Curtis Evans: countyjudge@co.jeff-davis.tx.us
County Attorney Glen Eisen: glen.eisen@jeffdaviscounty.texas.gov
Commissioner Jody Adams: jody@fdwsc.com
Commissioner Roy Hurley: roy.hurley@jeffdaviscounty.texas.gov
Commissioner John Davis: john.davis@jeffdaviscounty.texas.gov
Commissioner Royce Lakoskie: Royce.L@jeffdaviscounty.texas.gov
“Public spaces are exactly that—public. They are meant to serve everyone in the community, not just those government officials personally approve of,” Flash said. “We call on everyone who believes in fairness, inclusion, and freedom to raise their voices.”
