Press
The Official program of PFLAG Beaumont Pride Fest 2018
June 9
Grand Marshal
Fran Watson
Fran Watson, Houston attorney and LGBTQiA advocate, seems to greet everyone at every place with an joyfully infectious smile. “I have never seen her without that huge smile that just lights up the room,” Amanda Turner, Pride Fest Co Chair, says. “She is an inspiration to the LGBTQIA community — fighting for every one of us.” Watson, married fourteen years, says that when a community is seeking change and it is necessary to center the voices of members from the community because the folks that have the “lived experiences” can speak to the needs of the community. “I am honored and humbled when I am asked to provide thoughts or leadership or the opportunity to work alongside other LGBTQ leaders when it comes to speaking up for our community,” she says. “I do not take it lightly.” Watson was honored at the PFLAG Beaumont Coming Out Ball, May 5. Watson became involved with advocacy work many years ago through her church. Joining together with parishioners as vendors at Houston Pride and marching in the parade led to her and her cohorts inviting the same groups to their faith-based programs. Tragedy struck and Watson ended up with two broken legs and confined to her home.
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PFLAG Beaumont’s inagural Pride Fest rooted in Equality, Resistance
PFLAG’s mission is to advocate, educate and lend support to the LGBTQiA community, their families and friends. “What better way to offer support, advocate and educate all in one sitting than by having a Pride Fest celebration?” Nathaniel Griffin, Pride Fest co chair, asks. “We are accomplishing those goals all in one big swoop — in one day. “But in reality, PFLAG Beaumont stepped up to have Pride Fest because the community asked us to do so.” Griffin and his co horts put together an Equality Fest in a matter of weeks in June 2017. After the former Beaumont Pride had been disbanded for nearly a year, more than twenty volunteers and a dozens or-
agnizations called on the group. Donny Avery, Motiva Satge manager and who identifies as gay, says he thinks it is beneficial to have a Pride Fest in Beaumont to show that the area has a wonderful LGBTQiA community. “All are welcome,” Avery says. “Beaumont is a great city and by including a Pride Festival, we show the diversity that you will find in Beaumont.” JoLee Tanner, who identifies as gender fluid and pansexual, says Pride Fest is for everyone. “Those who are out know they are safe at Pride Fest and those who are closeted can hide in plain sight along with other like-minded allies,” Tanner, PFLAG Beaumont co historian, says. Avery says he thinks Beaumont is big enough to
support a Pride Fest every year and hopes to stay involved. “We might be a tiny community, but we are a mighty community,” Avery says. “And we want to be here to show how proud we are to live in such a fantastic place.” Griffin says he beacme involved with the oragnization moreso last year when PFLAG Beaumont banded togther with other oragnizations for Equality Fest. “I felt I was a safe and secure enough to be visbale and I am very aware that many of my friends can not safely do that — especially in the past year or so. I am visable for those who can’t be visable.”
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