October 1, 2025 • 18 mins
This is a podcast exclusive! Avery Belyeu breaks down the Montrose Gala's biggest fundraiser of the year, OUT FOR GOOD. Jacob Newsome interviews her about the event happening on October 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis in Downtown Houston.
More tickets and information can be found at :
https://montrosecenter.org/event/out-for-good-2025/
Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here. Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond. Check out our socials at:
https://www.facebook.com/QueerVoicesKPFT/ and
https://www.instagram.com/queervoices90.1kpft/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (00:00):
Hi there and welcome to the Queer Voices Podcast.
This week we are running arepeat on KPFT, but we are
giving you a podcast exclusive.
This is an interview with AveryBellieu, who is the Montrose
Center's CEO, and we are goingto be talking about the Out for
Good event, Leather and Lace.
(00:20):
It's going to happen October4th, 2025.
The event starts at 7 p.m.,okay?
And that is going to be at theMarion Marquee Houston downtown.
So here is an interview that oneof our contributors, Joel, did
with Avery.
So we hope you enjoy it.
And thank you for listening toQueer Voices.
SPEAKER_02 (00:45):
And we are here with Avery.
And I'm going to let youintroduce yourself, Avery.
SPEAKER_00 (00:49):
Thanks so much, Jacob.
My name is Avery Bellieu.
My pronouns are she and her, andI am the CEO of the Mantra
Center.
SPEAKER_02 (00:56):
Okay.
And as CEO of the Mantra Center,I know it has a long Mantra
Center has a long history.
So it's been a cornerstone foryou since LGBTQ community for
decades now.
For listeners who may not know,how would you describe the heart
of the center's work today?
SPEAKER_00 (01:11):
Absolutely.
Well, you know, the MantraCenter's mission is to empower
our community, especially ourLGBTQ community, to live
healthier, more fulfillinglives.
And so this place was started atits core to be the place where
our community could seekhigh-quality, affordable
(01:31):
behavioral health care in aplace that they knew would be
free from judgment.
And at our heart, that's stillvery much who we are.
We're a place for folks to comewho need someone to accompany
them on their journey and tohave that accompaniment be free
of judgment.
We have an amazing team ofqualified and licensed mental
health therapists.
So we are kind of the hub ofplaces for folks to come in
(01:55):
Houston if they're looking forthat type of support.
And then wrapping around that,there are so many different
issues that our team work tosupport folks on in a
specialized way.
And that includes folks who areexperiencing intimate partner
violence, folks who arestruggling with substance use
disorder, folks who are livingwith HIV.
We're a big source of supportfor folks who are living with H
(02:16):
with HIV.
And we work across the lifespan,all the way from youth all the
way to seniors, and everyone inbetween.
So, you know, that's that's kindof the core of our services.
And then as a secondary thing, Iwould say the Montra Center has
really, in the last few years,stepped into our identity as
Houston's LGBTQ plus communitycenter.
(02:37):
And so the first floor of ourbuilding, which is a community
center that can be used by uhthe public, anyone in the LGBTQ
community, it is uh oftentimesbusier than our second floor
where we do our services.
We welcome over 55,000 people ayear to that floor.
And it is a place for community,a place for social activities, a
(02:58):
place for organizing.
Um, it's really the theheartbeat of LGBTQ Houston is
that community center function.
SPEAKER_02 (03:05):
Man, it sounds like it's pretty robust uh community
center, especially for what weneed right now.
Is this a story or an examplethat captures the impact of the
center on someone's liferecently?
SPEAKER_00 (03:16):
So, you know, a story that I have been leaning
into a lot recently.
Um, you know, in my office, I'moftentimes buried in
spreadsheets and paperwork andmeetings.
But every now and then I get tohave those interactions where I
hear about people's journey andexperience with the center.
And in fact, right now we'velaunched a whole initiative to
(03:36):
invite the community to tell ustheir stories, their stories of
experiencing um the LGBTQ plusservices that we provide.
And so um recently I got to hearof a story of one couple who
they started coming here fortherapy as a couple, um, as one
of them was facing a severeillness, I think it was about 20
years ago.
And they came back to the centerfor an event that we had that
(03:59):
was an event um marking the10-year anniversary of marriage
equality, and they participatedin that event and they renewed
their vows.
And the story that they sharedabout why that moment was so
important to them to come hereand have that moment in this
community center was because wehad walked alongside them in a
really hard time in theirrelationship and provided
(04:20):
therapy and help and assistanceto them as a couple, and they
really credit the center withthem being together and having
that longevity in theirrelationship.
And that's just one story thatreally captures how special this
place is because here weencounter someone who is has
come to us for services and forhelp.
And then in this kind of fullcircle moment, they're coming
back to the community center andenjoying being in community
(04:41):
together, celebrating theirrelationship, which this place
has helped support.
So that's a really great exampleto me of how we are many
different things to differentfolks and at different times in
their life because we accompanyfolks throughout the journey of
their life, wherever that maytake them.
SPEAKER_02 (04:56):
Yeah, and that definitely sounds like like kind
of a life course approach whereno matter what stage of your
life you're at, the MontrealCenter is here for you.
SPEAKER_00 (05:03):
That's right.
That's right.
SPEAKER_02 (05:05):
So I want to hear more about the Out for Good uh
Gala.
So so for I'm gonna break thisdown as much as possible for
people who may not know.
Um, I want to ask you about,first of all, the work you do
there, the history of the gala,um, and all the details you can
give us about the event thisyear.
(05:26):
Start there.
SPEAKER_00 (05:27):
Absolutely, thank you for that.
Um we we absolutely hope thatcommute that the community will
join us um in style on uhSaturday, October 4th.
You can learn more about theevent at our website,
mantracenter.org.
You can also see uh links to theevent on all of our social media
pages.
So if you go to Facebook or ifyou go to Instagram, there are
(05:48):
uh posts about Out For Good.
Um so I really hope that uhafter hearing this conversation,
you will join us on October 4thfor Out for Good.
It is the 12th annual Out forGood, Gala.
It's at the Marriott Marquee inHouston.
And uh we have a VIP receptionthat starts at six, the doors
open at seven, and then we havea dinner and a program that
starts at 7:45.
(06:10):
Um and the most important partafter that program, we're gonna
have a wonderful um after party.
We just announced the DJ, soreally excited for that.
The theme this year is leatherand lace.
Um, so super fun theme.
If that is not something youhave in your closet and you
don't want to go out and do ashopping expedition, black
cocktail attire works great.
So either one of those thatfeels good for you.
(06:30):
Um and again, you can findeverything you need to know at
MontroCenter.org.
And a few words about this eventand why it's so important.
So the kind of history of it,the reason for the name, Out for
Good, um, it's held every yearto coincide uh either on the
same day of or around the timeof National Coming Out Day.
And so National Coming Out Dayis a day in early October when
(06:53):
the LGBTQ community marks thatum for so many of us, the
journey of sharing who we are,discovering who we are, and then
sharing it with others, comingout is such an important uh
milestone.
And that coming out is neversomething we do alone.
Coming out is something wealways do together in community.
Um it's something that requirescommunity around us to support
(07:15):
us, to love on us, to accept us,right?
If that coming out is gonna bethe best that it possibly can
be.
And so uh out for good is ourmoment to celebrate uh our
authenticity as LGBTQ people andthat we can only do this work of
caring for each other, loving oneach other, supporting each
other if we do that work incommunity.
(07:37):
Whether we're an LGBTQ personwho wants to give back to other
folks in their journey, or we'rean ally.
It takes all of us linking armstogether to be out for good.
And so that's exactly why we'vetitled the event uh in that way.
And we're so pleased that everyyear we receive such an amazing
response from our community whocome out to celebrate with us.
SPEAKER_02 (07:59):
I, you know, I I love, love, love that because
there is a there's a communityaspect to it.
We all need to stick togetherto, especially now, especially
in the political climate we'rein now, we all need to stick
together and fight for eachother.
And um, and so I I love yourresponse.
Tell me about the honorees youselected.
Um, how are honorees usuallyselected, and what are the ones
(08:23):
for this year represent fory'all?
SPEAKER_00 (08:26):
Absolutely.
So we have two different awardsthat we currently give.
Um, one of them is the historicaward.
We we've for many years gavejust one award, which was the
LGBTQ Visionary Award.
And we have an internal set ofcriteria that we use to
understand who might be the bestfit for that award.
And so um, the Visionary Award,the criteria for that is it's an
individual whose vision andleadership has shaped LGBTQ
(08:49):
Houston and is aligned with ourmission of helping our community
to thrive.
And so we've given been givingthat award since 2015.
Um the uh honoree this year isAtlantis Narcisse, who many of
us know Atlantis is such uh anextraordinary leader in our
community, whose leadership hasshaped our community in so many
(09:10):
ways and continues to do so.
Um, so she joins a fantasticlist of folks that include such
names as Judge Phyllis Frye, umuh uh Greg Ju.
Last year was the individual whoreceived that award.
So just a really amazing list offolks since 2015, which you can
find on our website.
So that's the Visionary Award.
Last year, we decided for thefirst time ever to create a new
(09:32):
award.
And that was the InnovatorAward.
And the Innovator Award is anaward to a member who's made a
large impact on LGBTQ Houstonand who have created positive
change and growth.
Um, last year we were reallyhonored to award Ian Haddock for
that, um, for that first everinnovator award for all of his
work with the Normal Anomaly.
(09:54):
Um, it was so exciting to beable to acknowledge and
recognize his work in that way.
The Montreux Center's had alongtime relationship with the
Normal Anomaly, and so to beable to stand on a stage and
celebrate all their work isreally powerful.
This year, the honoree is BradPritchett, who is the interim
CEO of Equality Texas.
And we're coming out of alegislative session where Brad
(10:14):
really has demonstrated, as hehas so many years and all the
different roles he's held acrossdoing civil rights work, that
he's an innovator in findingways to care for the community.
And why I'm especially excitedto honor Brad this year, and
we'll talk about this at theevent, is one of the ways I've
seen Brad innovate.
Brad, of course, his primaryfocus is doing legislative
advocacy work, but he has beenreally cognizant of the fact
(10:36):
that this work is hard and thatin the midst of doing it, you
need to make sure you're caringfor folks' mental health and
well-being.
And so Brad has very proactivelypartnered with us and with
others to make sure that folkswho are doing that legislative
advocacy work and they're in thetrenches, that they have the
mental health support they needto take care of themselves in
the midst of that really hardwork.
And so that's a way that Bradreally exemplifies what it means
(10:59):
to be an innovator and why we'rereally excited to honor him with
this award this year.
SPEAKER_02 (11:03):
So, is there anything about this year's Out
for Good event that makes itreally special for y'all?
What can people expect when theyattend this year?
SPEAKER_00 (11:10):
Yeah, so you know, a couple things.
I think as always, uh it's gonnabe an exciting and energetic
program.
Uh, we understand that folkscome into our room to be
together, to enjoy their companytogether, to understand our
mission, um, and not to have tosit through a really, really
lengthy program.
So, what I can promise you isthe program will be inspiring,
(11:31):
it will be energizing, um, andwe will have plenty of time for
us to enjoy being in communitytogether and to enjoy that
amazing after party with our DJ.
So that's one thing I'll say.
Um, because all of us go todifferent galas, uh, we try to
make sure that it's it's um it'sreally energizing and that the
feeling you come away with is ofbeing together in community.
Um, the other thing I would sayis, and it leans to that
(11:51):
community piece.
And you mentioned this earlier,Jacob.
So I want to reflect back onthis.
SPEAKER_02 (11:56):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (11:57):
This is a really unique moment.
Um, we are facing challenges,not that I would say we we
haven't necessarily experiencedbefore in some form or fashion,
but I will say, in my time ofdoing LGBTQ work, which has been
the whole of my career, we havenot faced the challenges we're
(12:17):
facing now in exactly the way weare facing them.
We are up against it.
And it does feel like that wehave lost some ground, both in
the area of civil rights, um,but also in social context and
and environment.
And so I think it is moreimportant than it was this time
last year for us to get into aroom together and recommit to
(12:42):
caring for each other, um, tofinding ways to being invested
in each other's wellness, ineach other's joy, right?
Because I think joy is is is atthe center of who our community
is.
Um, and in making sure that allof us have the resources we need
to thrive.
And so I think given thisenvironment, this context, and
(13:02):
what's still to come in themonths ahead, it's never been
more important than for folks tojoin us at Out for Good this
year and make sure that theMontrose Center, which is
Houston's largest LGBTQnonprofit, continues to have the
resources we need to support thecommunity, um, which our staff
just does with such excellence.
SPEAKER_02 (13:19):
And I appreciate all the work you do, especially now.
Um, so with that being said, Iknow a lot of help is needed.
So for folks listening right nowwho may want to show up, how can
they get involved?
Whether it's tickets,sponsorship, volunteering, you
know, you name it, we're there.
SPEAKER_00 (13:35):
Yeah.
So I'm gonna answer that in twoways.
First of all, about the event.
So at the event, um, weabsolutely uh still have room
for more folks to sponsor theevent.
So if you are um, you know,sitting at home listening to
this and you've been doomscrolling on your phone and
you're feeling despair andgoing, what do I do?
You know, I often reflectthere's two questions I use to
guide my own life in thismoment, which the first is what
(13:58):
needs to be done?
And when I open my phone, I seea myriad of things that need to
be done.
It is so easy to be overwhelmedby that.
But then I find my courage inthe second question, which is
what is mine to do?
So if you're listening to thisinterview and you're feeling a
sense of despair, I'll lean intowhat Joan Baez says, which is
action is the antidote todespair.
So you can take some action.
(14:18):
You can take some action bysponsoring Out for Good.
You can buy a ticket today forOut for Good on our website.
Um, if neither of those thingsmake sense for you in this
moment, we absolutely would loveyou to volunteer.
Um, there are ways to volunteerfor the event.
Um, you can reach out to ourstaff to figure out how to do
that.
Um, so that's the event.
But secondarily, I would say theMantra Center is a hub of ways
(14:41):
to be involved.
And so um, you know, whetherit's coming here because you
yourself need resources andsupport, or it's coming to
volunteer with us so that you'regetting your hands dirty
supporting others, um, there isalways a way to plug into the
Montreal Center.
Um, we have a community advisoryboard, which has an open call
for uh applications at any time,which you can follow on our
(15:03):
website.
Um, we have events regularlythat are not big events like
this, but that are free toattend where you can learn more
about our mission.
And if you go to our website andlook at the calendar, you will
find that every single day ofthe week, there is something
happening in our communitycenter.
Um, so if you are just wantingto get involved, um there is no
shortage of ways to get involvedwith our mission from ways that
(15:24):
are really time intensive toways that are less time
intensive.
I think the important thing isum answer that second question,
which is what is mine to do?
And I hope that it will lead youto the doors of the Montreal
Center.
SPEAKER_02 (15:35):
Well, I agree.
I'm gonna, I know I've kept youup a lot, but I'm gonna close
out with this question.
So um, beyond out for good, whatis next for the Montreal Center?
What are your biggest needs andopportunities?
And give me a second here.
If you had if you had 30 secondsto speak to someone who may feel
unseen or disconnected,especially now, what would you
(15:56):
want them to hear?
SPEAKER_00 (15:57):
So I'll answer the first part of your question
first, which is you know, theMontro Center, um, what I what I
hope our community hears is nomatter what may come our way,
the Montro Center is here tostay.
And I didn't mean to rhyme justthen, but I did.
Um for folks who enjoy a rhyme.
Um, we're not going anywhere.
Um, we were born in an era ofintense homophobia pre-AIDS
(16:20):
crisis.
We weathered the AIDS crisis umand Ronald Reagan and all that
it brought with it.
Um we uh survived the firstTrump administration.
We are not going anywhere.
The Montro Center is here tostay.
You can rely on the MontreCenter.
However, the only way that thatcan continue to be true is if
you support us.
Um, it truly takes a village, ittakes our community.
(16:41):
This is a community center.
And so what that means is it's agathering place for community,
but it's built by community.
And so um we are grateful forevery opportunity for community
to invest in us so that we cancontinue to invest in our
community and our future.
Um, and if I had 30 seconds tospeak to someone who might be
feeling unseen or disconnected,I want to say this you are not
(17:03):
alone.
And I know this moment can feelscary.
I know that it can feelisolating.
However, there is a big,beautiful, vibrant, um, fabulous
community of people who havewalked the journey that you are
walking.
Um, and we are here for you.
(17:26):
And you are not alone and youdon't have to be alone.
So if you are feeling isolated,if you are feeling afraid, know
that you can come to the MontroCenter.
Call us up, go to our websiteand schedule an appointment,
walk in during our operatinghours to the second floor and
say, hey, I need to talk tosomebody because the Montro
Center is here so that no personin the greater Houston
(17:47):
metropolitan area has to feellike they are alone.
SPEAKER_02 (17:50):
That is a beautiful wow.
That is a beautiful ending,Avery.
Um, so this has been AveryBellew, the CEO of the Montreal
Center.
Thank you so much, Avery.
SPEAKER_00 (18:00):
Absolutely.
Thank you so much for having meon.
SPEAKER_02 (18:02):
Yes, ma'am.
And how do we wait you end.
Hi there and welcome to the Queer Voices Podcast.
This week we are running arepeat on KPFT, but we are
giving you a podcast exclusive.
This is an interview with AveryBellieu, who is the Montrose
Center's CEO, and we are goingto be talking about the Out for
Good event, Leather and Lace.
(00:20):
It's going to happen October4th, 2025.
The event starts at 7 p.m.,okay?
And that is going to be at theMarion Marquee Houston downtown.
So here is an interview that oneof our contributors, Joel, did
with Avery.
So we hope you enjoy it.
And thank you for listening toQueer Voices.
SPEAKER_02 (00:45):
And we are here with Avery.
And I'm going to let youintroduce yourself, Avery.
SPEAKER_00 (00:49):
Thanks so much, Jacob.
My name is Avery Bellieu.
My pronouns are she and her, andI am the CEO of the Mantra
Center.
SPEAKER_02 (00:56):
Okay.
And as CEO of the Mantra Center,I know it has a long Mantra
Center has a long history.
So it's been a cornerstone foryou since LGBTQ community for
decades now.
For listeners who may not know,how would you describe the heart
of the center's work today?
SPEAKER_00 (01:11):
Absolutely.
Well, you know, the MantraCenter's mission is to empower
our community, especially ourLGBTQ community, to live
healthier, more fulfillinglives.
And so this place was started atits core to be the place where
our community could seekhigh-quality, affordable
(01:31):
behavioral health care in aplace that they knew would be
free from judgment.
And at our heart, that's stillvery much who we are.
We're a place for folks to comewho need someone to accompany
them on their journey and tohave that accompaniment be free
of judgment.
We have an amazing team ofqualified and licensed mental
health therapists.
So we are kind of the hub ofplaces for folks to come in
(01:55):
Houston if they're looking forthat type of support.
And then wrapping around that,there are so many different
issues that our team work tosupport folks on in a
specialized way.
And that includes folks who areexperiencing intimate partner
violence, folks who arestruggling with substance use
disorder, folks who are livingwith HIV.
We're a big source of supportfor folks who are living with H
(02:16):
with HIV.
And we work across the lifespan,all the way from youth all the
way to seniors, and everyone inbetween.
So, you know, that's that's kindof the core of our services.
And then as a secondary thing, Iwould say the Montra Center has
really, in the last few years,stepped into our identity as
Houston's LGBTQ plus communitycenter.
(02:37):
And so the first floor of ourbuilding, which is a community
center that can be used by uhthe public, anyone in the LGBTQ
community, it is uh oftentimesbusier than our second floor
where we do our services.
We welcome over 55,000 people ayear to that floor.
And it is a place for community,a place for social activities, a
(02:58):
place for organizing.
Um, it's really the theheartbeat of LGBTQ Houston is
that community center function.
SPEAKER_02 (03:05):
Man, it sounds like it's pretty robust uh community
center, especially for what weneed right now.
Is this a story or an examplethat captures the impact of the
center on someone's liferecently?
SPEAKER_00 (03:16):
So, you know, a story that I have been leaning
into a lot recently.
Um, you know, in my office, I'moftentimes buried in
spreadsheets and paperwork andmeetings.
But every now and then I get tohave those interactions where I
hear about people's journey andexperience with the center.
And in fact, right now we'velaunched a whole initiative to
(03:36):
invite the community to tell ustheir stories, their stories of
experiencing um the LGBTQ plusservices that we provide.
And so um recently I got to hearof a story of one couple who
they started coming here fortherapy as a couple, um, as one
of them was facing a severeillness, I think it was about 20
years ago.
And they came back to the centerfor an event that we had that
(03:59):
was an event um marking the10-year anniversary of marriage
equality, and they participatedin that event and they renewed
their vows.
And the story that they sharedabout why that moment was so
important to them to come hereand have that moment in this
community center was because wehad walked alongside them in a
really hard time in theirrelationship and provided
(04:20):
therapy and help and assistanceto them as a couple, and they
really credit the center withthem being together and having
that longevity in theirrelationship.
And that's just one story thatreally captures how special this
place is because here weencounter someone who is has
come to us for services and forhelp.
And then in this kind of fullcircle moment, they're coming
back to the community center andenjoying being in community
(04:41):
together, celebrating theirrelationship, which this place
has helped support.
So that's a really great exampleto me of how we are many
different things to differentfolks and at different times in
their life because we accompanyfolks throughout the journey of
their life, wherever that maytake them.
SPEAKER_02 (04:56):
Yeah, and that definitely sounds like like kind
of a life course approach whereno matter what stage of your
life you're at, the MontrealCenter is here for you.
SPEAKER_00 (05:03):
That's right.
That's right.
SPEAKER_02 (05:05):
So I want to hear more about the Out for Good uh
Gala.
So so for I'm gonna break thisdown as much as possible for
people who may not know.
Um, I want to ask you about,first of all, the work you do
there, the history of the gala,um, and all the details you can
give us about the event thisyear.
(05:26):
Start there.
SPEAKER_00 (05:27):
Absolutely, thank you for that.
Um we we absolutely hope thatcommute that the community will
join us um in style on uhSaturday, October 4th.
You can learn more about theevent at our website,
mantracenter.org.
You can also see uh links to theevent on all of our social media
pages.
So if you go to Facebook or ifyou go to Instagram, there are
(05:48):
uh posts about Out For Good.
Um so I really hope that uhafter hearing this conversation,
you will join us on October 4thfor Out for Good.
It is the 12th annual Out forGood, Gala.
It's at the Marriott Marquee inHouston.
And uh we have a VIP receptionthat starts at six, the doors
open at seven, and then we havea dinner and a program that
starts at 7:45.
(06:10):
Um and the most important partafter that program, we're gonna
have a wonderful um after party.
We just announced the DJ, soreally excited for that.
The theme this year is leatherand lace.
Um, so super fun theme.
If that is not something youhave in your closet and you
don't want to go out and do ashopping expedition, black
cocktail attire works great.
So either one of those thatfeels good for you.
(06:30):
Um and again, you can findeverything you need to know at
MontroCenter.org.
And a few words about this eventand why it's so important.
So the kind of history of it,the reason for the name, Out for
Good, um, it's held every yearto coincide uh either on the
same day of or around the timeof National Coming Out Day.
And so National Coming Out Dayis a day in early October when
(06:53):
the LGBTQ community marks thatum for so many of us, the
journey of sharing who we are,discovering who we are, and then
sharing it with others, comingout is such an important uh
milestone.
And that coming out is neversomething we do alone.
Coming out is something wealways do together in community.
Um it's something that requirescommunity around us to support
(07:15):
us, to love on us, to accept us,right?
If that coming out is gonna bethe best that it possibly can
be.
And so uh out for good is ourmoment to celebrate uh our
authenticity as LGBTQ people andthat we can only do this work of
caring for each other, loving oneach other, supporting each
other if we do that work incommunity.
(07:37):
Whether we're an LGBTQ personwho wants to give back to other
folks in their journey, or we'rean ally.
It takes all of us linking armstogether to be out for good.
And so that's exactly why we'vetitled the event uh in that way.
And we're so pleased that everyyear we receive such an amazing
response from our community whocome out to celebrate with us.
SPEAKER_02 (07:59):
I, you know, I I love, love, love that because
there is a there's a communityaspect to it.
We all need to stick togetherto, especially now, especially
in the political climate we'rein now, we all need to stick
together and fight for eachother.
And um, and so I I love yourresponse.
Tell me about the honorees youselected.
Um, how are honorees usuallyselected, and what are the ones
(08:23):
for this year represent fory'all?
SPEAKER_00 (08:26):
Absolutely.
So we have two different awardsthat we currently give.
Um, one of them is the historicaward.
We we've for many years gavejust one award, which was the
LGBTQ Visionary Award.
And we have an internal set ofcriteria that we use to
understand who might be the bestfit for that award.
And so um, the Visionary Award,the criteria for that is it's an
individual whose vision andleadership has shaped LGBTQ
(08:49):
Houston and is aligned with ourmission of helping our community
to thrive.
And so we've given been givingthat award since 2015.
Um the uh honoree this year isAtlantis Narcisse, who many of
us know Atlantis is such uh anextraordinary leader in our
community, whose leadership hasshaped our community in so many
(09:10):
ways and continues to do so.
Um, so she joins a fantasticlist of folks that include such
names as Judge Phyllis Frye, umuh uh Greg Ju.
Last year was the individual whoreceived that award.
So just a really amazing list offolks since 2015, which you can
find on our website.
So that's the Visionary Award.
Last year, we decided for thefirst time ever to create a new
(09:32):
award.
And that was the InnovatorAward.
And the Innovator Award is anaward to a member who's made a
large impact on LGBTQ Houstonand who have created positive
change and growth.
Um, last year we were reallyhonored to award Ian Haddock for
that, um, for that first everinnovator award for all of his
work with the Normal Anomaly.
(09:54):
Um, it was so exciting to beable to acknowledge and
recognize his work in that way.
The Montreux Center's had alongtime relationship with the
Normal Anomaly, and so to beable to stand on a stage and
celebrate all their work isreally powerful.
This year, the honoree is BradPritchett, who is the interim
CEO of Equality Texas.
And we're coming out of alegislative session where Brad
(10:14):
really has demonstrated, as hehas so many years and all the
different roles he's held acrossdoing civil rights work, that
he's an innovator in findingways to care for the community.
And why I'm especially excitedto honor Brad this year, and
we'll talk about this at theevent, is one of the ways I've
seen Brad innovate.
Brad, of course, his primaryfocus is doing legislative
advocacy work, but he has beenreally cognizant of the fact
(10:36):
that this work is hard and thatin the midst of doing it, you
need to make sure you're caringfor folks' mental health and
well-being.
And so Brad has very proactivelypartnered with us and with
others to make sure that folkswho are doing that legislative
advocacy work and they're in thetrenches, that they have the
mental health support they needto take care of themselves in
the midst of that really hardwork.
And so that's a way that Bradreally exemplifies what it means
(10:59):
to be an innovator and why we'rereally excited to honor him with
this award this year.
SPEAKER_02 (11:03):
So, is there anything about this year's Out
for Good event that makes itreally special for y'all?
What can people expect when theyattend this year?
SPEAKER_00 (11:10):
Yeah, so you know, a couple things.
I think as always, uh it's gonnabe an exciting and energetic
program.
Uh, we understand that folkscome into our room to be
together, to enjoy their companytogether, to understand our
mission, um, and not to have tosit through a really, really
lengthy program.
So, what I can promise you isthe program will be inspiring,
(11:31):
it will be energizing, um, andwe will have plenty of time for
us to enjoy being in communitytogether and to enjoy that
amazing after party with our DJ.
So that's one thing I'll say.
Um, because all of us go todifferent galas, uh, we try to
make sure that it's it's um it'sreally energizing and that the
feeling you come away with is ofbeing together in community.
Um, the other thing I would sayis, and it leans to that
(11:51):
community piece.
And you mentioned this earlier,Jacob.
So I want to reflect back onthis.
SPEAKER_02 (11:56):
Yes.
SPEAKER_00 (11:57):
This is a really unique moment.
Um, we are facing challenges,not that I would say we we
haven't necessarily experiencedbefore in some form or fashion,
but I will say, in my time ofdoing LGBTQ work, which has been
the whole of my career, we havenot faced the challenges we're
(12:17):
facing now in exactly the way weare facing them.
We are up against it.
And it does feel like that wehave lost some ground, both in
the area of civil rights, um,but also in social context and
and environment.
And so I think it is moreimportant than it was this time
last year for us to get into aroom together and recommit to
(12:42):
caring for each other, um, tofinding ways to being invested
in each other's wellness, ineach other's joy, right?
Because I think joy is is is atthe center of who our community
is.
Um, and in making sure that allof us have the resources we need
to thrive.
And so I think given thisenvironment, this context, and
(13:02):
what's still to come in themonths ahead, it's never been
more important than for folks tojoin us at Out for Good this
year and make sure that theMontrose Center, which is
Houston's largest LGBTQnonprofit, continues to have the
resources we need to support thecommunity, um, which our staff
just does with such excellence.
SPEAKER_02 (13:19):
And I appreciate all the work you do, especially now.
Um, so with that being said, Iknow a lot of help is needed.
So for folks listening right nowwho may want to show up, how can
they get involved?
Whether it's tickets,sponsorship, volunteering, you
know, you name it, we're there.
SPEAKER_00 (13:35):
Yeah.
So I'm gonna answer that in twoways.
First of all, about the event.
So at the event, um, weabsolutely uh still have room
for more folks to sponsor theevent.
So if you are um, you know,sitting at home listening to
this and you've been doomscrolling on your phone and
you're feeling despair andgoing, what do I do?
You know, I often reflectthere's two questions I use to
guide my own life in thismoment, which the first is what
(13:58):
needs to be done?
And when I open my phone, I seea myriad of things that need to
be done.
It is so easy to be overwhelmedby that.
But then I find my courage inthe second question, which is
what is mine to do?
So if you're listening to thisinterview and you're feeling a
sense of despair, I'll lean intowhat Joan Baez says, which is
action is the antidote todespair.
So you can take some action.
(14:18):
You can take some action bysponsoring Out for Good.
You can buy a ticket today forOut for Good on our website.
Um, if neither of those thingsmake sense for you in this
moment, we absolutely would loveyou to volunteer.
Um, there are ways to volunteerfor the event.
Um, you can reach out to ourstaff to figure out how to do
that.
Um, so that's the event.
But secondarily, I would say theMantra Center is a hub of ways
(14:41):
to be involved.
And so um, you know, whetherit's coming here because you
yourself need resources andsupport, or it's coming to
volunteer with us so that you'regetting your hands dirty
supporting others, um, there isalways a way to plug into the
Montreal Center.
Um, we have a community advisoryboard, which has an open call
for uh applications at any time,which you can follow on our
(15:03):
website.
Um, we have events regularlythat are not big events like
this, but that are free toattend where you can learn more
about our mission.
And if you go to our website andlook at the calendar, you will
find that every single day ofthe week, there is something
happening in our communitycenter.
Um, so if you are just wantingto get involved, um there is no
shortage of ways to get involvedwith our mission from ways that
(15:24):
are really time intensive toways that are less time
intensive.
I think the important thing isum answer that second question,
which is what is mine to do?
And I hope that it will lead youto the doors of the Montreal
Center.
SPEAKER_02 (15:35):
Well, I agree.
I'm gonna, I know I've kept youup a lot, but I'm gonna close
out with this question.
So um, beyond out for good, whatis next for the Montreal Center?
What are your biggest needs andopportunities?
And give me a second here.
If you had if you had 30 secondsto speak to someone who may feel
unseen or disconnected,especially now, what would you
(15:56):
want them to hear?
SPEAKER_00 (15:57):
So I'll answer the first part of your question
first, which is you know, theMontro Center, um, what I what I
hope our community hears is nomatter what may come our way,
the Montro Center is here tostay.
And I didn't mean to rhyme justthen, but I did.
Um for folks who enjoy a rhyme.
Um, we're not going anywhere.
Um, we were born in an era ofintense homophobia pre-AIDS
(16:20):
crisis.
We weathered the AIDS crisis umand Ronald Reagan and all that
it brought with it.
Um we uh survived the firstTrump administration.
We are not going anywhere.
The Montro Center is here tostay.
You can rely on the MontreCenter.
However, the only way that thatcan continue to be true is if
you support us.
Um, it truly takes a village, ittakes our community.
(16:41):
This is a community center.
And so what that means is it's agathering place for community,
but it's built by community.
And so um we are grateful forevery opportunity for community
to invest in us so that we cancontinue to invest in our
community and our future.
Um, and if I had 30 seconds tospeak to someone who might be
feeling unseen or disconnected,I want to say this you are not
(17:03):
alone.
And I know this moment can feelscary.
I know that it can feelisolating.
However, there is a big,beautiful, vibrant, um, fabulous
community of people who havewalked the journey that you are
walking.
Um, and we are here for you.
(17:26):
And you are not alone and youdon't have to be alone.
So if you are feeling isolated,if you are feeling afraid, know
that you can come to the MontroCenter.
Call us up, go to our websiteand schedule an appointment,
walk in during our operatinghours to the second floor and
say, hey, I need to talk tosomebody because the Montro
Center is here so that no personin the greater Houston
(17:47):
metropolitan area has to feellike they are alone.
SPEAKER_02 (17:50):
That is a beautiful wow.
That is a beautiful ending,Avery.
Um, so this has been AveryBellew, the CEO of the Montreal
Center.
Thank you so much, Avery.
SPEAKER_00 (18:00):
Absolutely.
Thank you so much for having meon.
SPEAKER_02 (18:02):
Yes, ma'am.
And how do we wait you end.
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