Q&A with Valerie Overton from LexPride
LexObserver: What is LexPride?
Valerie Overton: LexPride is a local, all-volunteer nonprofit that formed to provide social opportunities, support and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals, families, friends, and allies. The group started in 2015, though it took a couple of years to receive nonprofit status. We started is because we found there were no LGBTQIA+ support groups in the town — then, or at any time before — and we had been hearing anecdotally that there was a need for a social and support network.
LexObserver: Did that change over time?
VO: After we started, we began hearing about needs for advocacy. Although Lexington is generally progressive and supportive, we heard there was a general lack of awareness and understanding of the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community and a lack of insight into all kinds of traditional practices that made people feel unsafe. So, in addition to social interaction and support, we grew to be an advocacy organization, as well.
LexObserver: What does that advocacy look like for LexPride?
VO: At the start, we did a lot of analysis and advocacy in schools, then the municipality and the larger community in general. We conducted advocacy activities ranging from information and awareness sharing, to trainings about who LGBTQIA+ people are, unconscious bias, and inclusive practices.
Today, we get involved in an even wider variety of issues. From our inception, we were very intentional about taking an intersectional approach to our work because the LGBTQIA+ community spans all other demographics — races, abilities and disabilities, income levels, and beyond. We collaborate with other groups locally, statewide, and nationally because we very strongly believe that none of us are free until we are all free, and we have to support the most marginalized among us to achieve our goals.
For example, a 2016 state referendum asked voters to either reaffirm or repeal civil rights for transgender people and we were among the leaders organizing for “Yes on 3,” to preserve those rights. We are nonpolitical and nonpartisan, so we don’t focus on specific candidates, but we do advocate for legislation on civil rights.
LexObserver: How big is the organization?
VO: We have several hundred members and a six-person Board of Directors, which intentionally comprises a very diverse group. We have volunteers who help in a variety of ways.
For example, in June our volunteers organized and ran our “Loud and Proud” fashion show, which was a huge success. It was a wonderful community event that attracted an enormous diversity of people coming together — fashion designers, models, and audience members. We had designers and models from middle-school aged to 70 years old, of all different races and ethnicities, styles… and the audience reflected that diversity. We’re living through difficult times. The event allowed us to have a moment of joy — and joyful connection — across many differences.
LexObserver: What inspired you to be a part of LexPride?
VO: I have worked for civil rights and social justice my whole life, across many focus areas, from race and ethnicity, socioeconomic situations, housing accessibility, abilities and disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ rights. LexPride is a part of that vision, of working toward increasing human connection so that we can coexist with love, empathy, compassion, and respect.
The more we can do that, the more we make the world a better place, even in very small ways, through small acts of kindness and connection, because those build and add together in our communities and in the world.
LexObserver: What do you see as the future of LexPride?
VO: I think we are at a time in the organization’s life where are really wanting to bring more people together and do strategic planning and envisioning of what the future of LexPride will be. We are at a turning point. In the past ten years we have done so much, and with an enormous variety. It took a lot of time and effort, but we were successful in forging positive relationships with administrators and staff in schools, and changing mindsets, and now we are in a different place from when we started in 2015.
We want to continue our path of inclusion, but we need to bring people together to envision what that looks like for the next ten years. LexPride is a very open organization and values everyone’s perspectives. We would love for people who have the time, energy, and ideas to join us, to help create that vision of the future, to make it a reality.
LexObserver: Is there anything else you’d like people to know about LexPride?
VO: With all our divisions, we sometimes forget each other’s humanity. There’s a lot of power in people joining together in joy, across differences — just being human together. Part of the work of LexPride is providing those opportunities to make each other human, to touch each other’s hearts and break down those divisions.
Website: https://www.lexpridema.org
Event Highlight
Rainbow Artists hosts in-person, all-ages artist groups. All are welcome at these drop-in events. Enjoy creative art and expression in an inclusive, empathetic setting.
Next meetings are August 9th and August 23rd from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Lexington Community Center.