#Pride40 Giveaways
Mystiq is celebrating 40 years of Houston Pride by giving away 40 Classic Rabbit vibrators from The Rabbit Co.
Nearly a decade after the Stonewall Riots in New York, the Gay Rights Movement for equality made its way to Houston. Houston’s own “Stonewall Movement” occurred in June of 1977 when thousands gathered around City Hall in downtown Houston to protest against Anita Bryant. The first Pride Parade took place in June of 1978 along Westheimer Road. The current Pride Celebration is typically held the last Saturday in June to commemorate Stonewall, and the parade, which is held in the evening after sunset. This tradition began in 1997, arranged by then-Houston City Councilmember Annise Parker, where a parade ordinance was revised to allow for the nation’s only nighttime Pride Parade. In 2015, the Pride Celebration moved to its new home in Downtown Houston continuing the tradition that began on the steps of City Hall in 1977.
— From the Pride Houston website
Make no mistake — Pride is a big deal to us.
Happy (almost) Pride!
Although Pride celebrations have already officially kicked off in Houston, June is really the focus of the festivities, culminating in the Pride Parade on June 23 (the nation’s only nighttime Pride Parade, as I just learned — very cool).
This June is especially significant. 2018 marks the 40th Anniversary of Town Hall Meeting I, also the 40th Anniversary of The Montrose Center and Legacy Community Health. As previously discussed in our Sex+Positive World Medium series, 2018 is also OutSmart Magazine’s 25th Anniversary.
Here in Houston, things are happening.
Not the least of which is Mystiq’s latest news: we’ve grown! More than that, I won’t say, but check our Instagram feed for sneak peeks (because I literally can’t help myself, and that’s where I go when I have to spill).
But enough about us! This year, and especially over the next few weeks, it’s all about celebrating the early heroes of the Houston LGBT Civil Rights Movement and the thriving, diverse, burgeoning gay scene in Houston today.
40 years. It’s momentous… and a nice, big, round number.
2018 is also Mystiq’s ‘established in’ year. It’s profoundly humbling and gratifying to be undertaking a radical, sex-positive approach to sexual health and retail amidst these major anniversaries.
Make no mistake — Pride is a big deal to us.
So we’re celebrating, too! 🎉
And when businesses celebrate, that typically means free stuff. Thanks to our friends at Gleam and The Rabbit Company, it definitely means free stuff. Specifically, Classic Rabbits.
FORTY OF THEM
The first two are already up for grabs! There are multiple ways to enter, both for Twitter users and Facebook/Instagram users. We’ll also be adding some other prizes to the prize pool over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned to our Medium profile for more updates.
Gotta learn to crawl first
Sadly, Mystiq won’t have an official presence at the 2018 Pride Festival & Parade. We have our hands very full with opening our flagship store and with inventorying and restructuring the recent acquisitions. Committing to a booth at Pride or float, etc. is a large commitment, both financially and in terms of manpower and time. We intend to watch and learn this year, with an eye towards stepping up our presence next year (check out our friends at Spectrum South’s booth).
Until then? 40 Classic Rabbits, throughout the end of May (National Masturbation Month) and throughout the month of June, leading up to the Pride Parade on June 23.
Our storefronts are only in Houston (currently), but the contests are open to anyone, anywhere.
Like Mystiq, they’re for everybody.
Broadcast your support on social media by using hashtags like #LoveIsLove #GayPride and — specifically for Houston’s Pride celebration — #Pride40.
Note from the Editor
I cut my journalistic teeth covering the Pride Parade in 2009 as a college sophomore. It was a pivotal event in both my professional and personal lives, and I’ve covered or attended every Pride since. As mentioned, Mystiq will not have an official presence at this year’s Pride Festival, but I will definitely be on hand, watching and learning and celebrating right along with everyone else. And next year… who knows?
Expect big things.
— Kevin M. Cook
