Houston: A City of No Limits

 

HOUSTON: A CITY OF NO LIMITS
We’re Here, We’re Queer, & We’re Also Hungry

Courtesy of DALL-E via Copilot.

[DEER PARK, TX, January 24, 2025—] As a teenager, I dreamt of nothing more than leaving home and exploring the world. Yet as an adult, I spent most of my professional career trying to get back to my roots. I have lived in several parts of Texas: Odessa, El Paso, San Antonio. I have seen all the chaotic weirdness Austin has to offer and have visited the birthplace of Selena. However, nothing has ever compared to Houston. I love it so much, that despite no longer living in Houston proper, I still claim it as my home. The city has a lot to offer, from friendly people who mind their business to a bustling museum district. However, the aspects I brag the most about are Houston’s queer community and the delicious food.

 

Though Austin believes in keeping itself weird, Houston prides itself on having the biggest queer community in Texas and holds the fourth largest pride parade in America. Many queer laws are passed here first. It was the first major city in the United States where an openly gay mayor was elected. Mayor Annise Parker was popular enough to find herself on the Colbert Report. In that interview, I remembered thinking that she perfectly embodied our city.Though former Mayor Annise Parker’s video appears to currently be lost media, ABCNews did transcribe part of the video.

 

Former Mayor Parker aptly described Houston as a place with jobs and air conditioning. The latter is our primary way to combat the fact that no human was ever meant to live in such an unbearably humid place. Still, Houston thrives. It is a place with a great arts scene and NASA. Sure, the latter is technically located in Webster, but who says “Webster, we have a problem”, anyways? Nothing quite beats space camp among real astronauts and seeing the space shuttle in person before its last voyage. Yet, the first thing that comes to mind for me when recommending my fair city is none of that. No, that would be the food.

 

Due to the diversity of the population, Houston has a plethora of options. I have eaten everything from Greek buffets to Chinese chicken feet to fried alligator. However, if you are in the area a recommendation, I would suggest two local staples: Mambo Seafood (which has the best seafood fried rice you will ever have) and Frenchy’s Chicken (which has been endorsed by Beyoncé). The latter is Louisiana-style fried chicken and has an excellent gumbo in the fall.

 

With the current state of the world, Houston can feel like an oasis. So, whether you are looking for acceptance or a comforting meal, this is the place to be.

 

About Crystal Sosa

Crystal Sosa is a PhD student at Texas Woman’s University. She is also a professor at San Jacinto College and a native to Houston. She spends her free time writing fantasy novels or talking about the queer agenda. You can contact her at crystal.sosa@sjcd.edu.