UPDATED: A List of LGBTQ Events Canceled, Postponed due to Coronavirus

Note: This article was updated on Friday, March 20 at 5:00 p.m. 

Discovery Green cancels Rainbow on The Rink

Amid concerns surrounding the COVID-19 cases in the region, all of Discovery Green’s March events have been canceled, including Rainbow on The Rink, a Houston-themed evening created to celebrate the LGBTQ community and local talent.

“The Discovery Green Conservancy is committed to being a source of health and happiness for Houstonians,” according to the park’s site. “Your health and safety are very important to us. As such we are closely monitoring conditions related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) with the Houston Health Department.”

The park’s cancellation comes after Mayor Sylvester Turner signed an emergency health declaration on March 11 shutting down all city-sponsored events, such as the Houston Livestock and Rodeo, through the end of the month. At least 19 Houston-area people have tested positive for the coronavirus disease, including the first non-travel related case in Montgomery County.

“I’ve said from the very, very beginning when we are confronted with the facts, medical advice, counseling, the science, that we would not hesitate to act,” Turner said. “The health and safety of the people in our region is paramount.” 

While March events at Discovery Green have been scrapped, The Rink: Rolling at Discovery Green, Lake House, and The Grove will remain open. The park’s hours of operation vary, but admission per person is $8, and skate rentals are either $4 or free on Cheap Skate Nights.

According to the organization’s site, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the park has “increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms, drinking fountains, dog pumps, handrails and the playground.”

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s site. Even so, the CDC has published steps to avoid being exposed to this virus. 

Since COVID-19 is thought to be spread primarily from close contact with another person and through coughs and sneezes by someone who has contracted COVID-19, the public must wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, according to the CDC. People should also stop touching their face with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home if they are unwell. 

For more information about CDC approved preventive measures, visit https://bit.ly/3cQfhhw.

In addition to Rainbow on the Rink, here is a list of LGBTQ-Houston events that have been canceled or postponed: 

• Pearl Bar: Until further notice, Pearl Bar Houston is closed, according to this Facebook post.
• Trans-Legal Aid Clinic: March clinics have been canceled. Houston’s Trans-Legal Aid Clinic will occur May 21 and 23 at the Montrose Center. For more information, go here.
• The Broad’s Way at Piggy’s Kitchen & Bar: The Broad’s Way, a bi-monthly drag show at Piggy’s Bar & Grill, has been canceled through April 4, according to a Facebook post by host Regina Blake DuBois.
• LGBTQ Victory Fund’s National Champagne Brunch: The LGBTQ Victory Fund’s annual spring brunch has been rescheduled to Sunday, June 21. For more information, go here.
• All performances at Stages theatre: Effective immediately, all performances at Stages have been canceled through March 22.
• Cirque du Soleil’s Equality Night: This Tony’s Place benefit was initially set for March 12. However, all Houston Cirque du Soleil shows have been postponed. For more information about the rescheduled events, go here.
• “Forged in Houston”: The Houston Ballet’s March show was set to begin on March 12 but has been postponed to May 21–31.
• WE GOT This SIS!: The T.R.U.T.H. Project’s March 13 Women’s History Month event has been postponed. For updates on the rescheduled event, go here. 
• Lone Star Classic Softball Tournament: The Montrose Softball League, an LGBTQ Houston sports group, has canceled its April 14 tournament.
• Space Kiddettes/Flora & Fawna/SOBBRS/STOO Live: Queer Houston artists the Space Kiddettes have postponed all of their shows through the end of the month, including their March 14 concert featuring Flora & Fawna, SOBBRS, and STOO. For updates on the rescheduled events, go here.
• OUT for Health: This LGBTQ health conference will still occur as scheduled on March 14 but has shifted onto an online platform. To watch the conference, go here. 
• Somos LOUD – Interest Brunch + Margaritas: LOUD, a new AIDS Foundation Houston affinity group, has canceled its March 15 meeting.
• ActOut featuring 1984: The Alley theatre has canceled all performances through March 31, including an LGBTQ pre-curtain event on March 19.
• Bayou City Art Festival: The 49th annual art show set to happen from March 27-29 has been postponed. For updates, go here.
• LIZ at Stubbs: LGBTQ fan-favorite LIZ has postponed her March 29 show at Stubbs to June 4.
• Human Rights Campaign Houston dinner: The annual LGBTQ event, which was set to occur on April 4, has been canceled. HRC has also canceled or postponed all other public events through the weekend of April 4. For more information, go here.