They Denied the Permit—But They Couldn’t Cancel Pride
Updated: Sep 23
By Aqua RichJo | September 23, 2026
Southlake City Council said no to Pride Kel-So’s festival permit. The people building LGBTQ+ community in North Texas are still saying yes to showing up for one another.
On September 15, the council unanimously denied the permit for Pride Kel-So’s planned October 3 festival at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. Council members did not publicly explain their reasoning during the vote or ask co-organizer April Dreyson questions, according to KERA. That decision came after the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval.
Let’s be clear about what is known: The permit was denied without a public explanation at the meeting. Organizers have questioned the decision and its impact. A discriminatory motive has not been legally established.
Pride Kel-So is changing its plans, not disappearing. Organizers announced that the full festival will move to April 2027; an exact date has not been set. They plan to hold a smaller block party on October 3 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, with attendance capped at 999. Food trucks, vendors and local LGBTQ+ organizations are expected to take part and raise funds for next year’s festival. Organizers also reported losing some sponsors after the permit denial. (keranews.org)
The change is significant. Pride Kel-So’s first festival drew about 1,600 people, according to organizers, and this year’s permit application estimated as many as 2,500 attendees. The event has brought together live music, local vendors and community resources for LGBTQ+ people in the Keller and Southlake area. (keranews.org)
That is why this story reaches beyond one festival date. A young person looking for an affirming space, a family hoping to meet others nearby, an artist seeking a stage, or a small business trying to connect with its community may all feel the effects when a gathering has to shrink.
And when a city denies a permit without explaining its decision at the vote, residents are entitled to ask questions. What concerns did council members have? How were they evaluated? Why did the council reject a permit its Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended? Those questions deserve answers. They do not require us to claim we already know the council’s motive.
Pride Kel-So’s organizers have chosen to keep gathering while they work toward a larger festival next spring. Their theme this year is “No One Left Behind.” In a place where visibility can take courage, that promise matters. (keranews.org)
The permit decision changed the plan. It did not erase the people the festival was built for.
No Chill News will continue following the city’s response and Pride Kel-So’s confirmed event details. Before attending on October 3, check the organizers’ official channels for the latest information.
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