Jaymes Black (they/she/he pronouns) is the CEO at The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. He oversees the organization’s 24/7 crisis services, research, education, advocacy, and peer support programs. They are The Trevor Project’s first Black nonbinary lesbian CEO. more...

Ashlee Keating is a billboard-charting artist & content creator taking the pop music scene by storm! Her newest summer single Thirsty (July 5, 2024) followed with a steamy music video, is a fun, flirty self- empowerment pop anthem with a rhythmic sound. Thirsty encourages listeners to not get caught up in the crazy world of Social Media images and "thirst culture", all while living young, wild, fearless and free. The single has already had major success with 170K Spotify streams since the release. more...

Steven Romo is a news anchor, journalist, and writer. He’s currently a New York City-based correspondent for NBC News. Born in Dallas and raised more by television than his parents, Romo fell in love with stories. It was stories that gave him the courage and hope he needed to escape a difficult upbringing. Romo’s love of stories eventually led him to a passion for storytelling. He got his start in journalism at Texas A&M University, reporting for the school’s newspaper. more...

Jim Fielding is a respected retail and media industry veteran whose expertise combines storytelling, product innovation, merchandising, and consumer experiences. Jim currently serves as a partner at Archer Gray, an independent media company, and president of its Co-Lab Division. Having led consumer products groups at the world’s largest media companies, including Disney, Dreamworks, and Twentieth Century Fox, more...

Daniel Webb is an LA-based comedian, writer, & musician from Texas whose comedy has been featured on Comedy Central, NBC, & BUTT Magazine. He is a touring comic & cohost of the podcast What We Thought Would Happen. Wanda Sykes summed Daniel up in three simple words, "Riotous. Queer. Star." more...

Melissa Grove M.S., LPC has served as Executive Director of Legacy Counseling Center, Inc. since 1999, transforming the agency into the largest provider of mental health services for HIV+ people in the South. The Grace Project National Conference for Women Living with HIV she founded hosts 200 HIV+ women annually. Other projects include founding Legacy Founders Cottage, an AIDS care facility, and creating the centralized housing solution, Homebaseforhousing.org website.  Her newest program, Legacy Master Leasing, sublets apartments to homeless people living with HIV. more...

Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas was Ordained to the Christian ministry in 1989 and elected as the Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope of Dallas, a congregation of the United Church of Christ with a primary outreach to the LGBTQ+ community, on April 12, 2015, following a year-long search. He began his tenure on June 3, 2015. In 2015 he has been granted Privilege of Call in the United Church of Christ. more...

Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière is the Community Editor at equalpride, the nation's leading LGBTQ+ media firm and publisher of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, Plus, and Pride.com. A Haitian-American trans woman with a robust history of independent work as a communications and social media expert, she has tirelessly championed LGBTQ+ artists and performers, creating a vibrant community engagement approach that infuses each project with a dynamic and innovative perspective. more...

Dr. Pounders graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He completed his residency and internship at Baylor College of Medicine in Internal Medicine, with a specialty in HIV. After establishing his practice, he quickly became known as a leading specialist in the forefront of the AIDS crisis. Now with offices that offer a variety of services including adult primary care, HIV prevention (PrEP), cosmetic procedures, gender affirmation, assessment and treatment of anal dysplasia, and treatment for other infectious diseases. more...

Melodía Gutiérrez (she/her/ella), who serves as the Texas State Director for the Human Rights Campaign. Melodía has over a decade of experience in community outreach, electoral politics, and legislative advocacy across several states. Prior to this current role, Melodía led operations for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Action Fund in California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Puerto Rico - utilizing more...

Rachel Gonzales is an advocate and ally in the movement for transgender equality. As the parent of a transgender youth, she fights to ensure that other parents are able to advocate for their transgender children, and that all transgender people receive the love and support that has allowed her trans daughter to thrive. Rachel has testified many times at the Texas Capitol, has been an integral part of blocking Texas’ anti-transgender bathroom bill. more...

Richard Saenz (he/him) is Counsel and the Criminal Legal System Strategist at Lambda Legal, the oldest and largest national legal organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV. He focuses his work on the criminal legal system, coordinating litigation and policy work on behalf of incarcerated people and against the criminalization and policing of LGBTQ+ people. more...

Shelly L. Skeen (pronouns: she/her) is the South-Central Regional Director for Lambda Legal, covering eight states, where she has also served as a Senior Attorney. Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national civil rights legal organization working for full and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV through impact litigation, public policy advocacy and education. more...

Naomi Green has a rich history of advocating for health-related services. After gaining experience in customer service, sales and marketing roles within telecom and retail industries, Naomi moved into her passion within public health advocacy. Naomi has been leading workshops within the Crush Crew for almost 2 years. more...

Rafael McDonnell is the Senior Advocacy, Policy, and Communications Manager for Resource Center, one of the largest LGBTQIA community centers in the United States. At the Center, he leads a three-person team who works on education, advocacy and policy issues involving the LGBTQIA community on behalf of the Center and assists on external communications. more...

Adrian Cardwell has over 25 years of corporate & executive experience, most recently leading a national sales & marketing division for a global telecommunications company. During his time in executive leadership, he was instrumental in driving innovative strategies which resulted in greater expansion of broadband access nationwide. He served on international committees with the goal of increasing broadband access globally, including war-torn, under-developed and impoverished regions of more...

Wil Turner is a New York Native now residing in Dallas, Texas; the Founder of Living Well With WiL Health and Wellness Coaching. WiL Turner's background in education, health, wellness, fitness training, relationship, and lifestyle coaching spans over a decade. Acknowledged as an advocate of the LGBTQ+ community, Dallas Voice, Voyage Dallas, and Equinox Gym's best health, wellness and fitness coaching specialist makes WiL one of the most sought after and only Men's Health Coaches more...

Artist & Activist, Thelonious Love is back with a powerful new album, “LOVE ME NAUGHT.” On his third studio project, lyrically at least, nothing is off the table for Love. His songs explore mental health, queer & black identity, addiction, relationships, social justice, and social media. Backed by his boyfriend, Sean Maddox, Love blends genres together with passion & presence. "We bring Rock & Roll energy to Hip-Hop music," says more...

Brian Kennedy is a dedicated LGBTQIA+ affirming Licensed Professional Counselor based in Dallas, Texas. With a deep commitment to fostering LGBTQ+ well-being, he serves as both the LGBTQ Community Liaison and Employment Engagement Director at Room for Change. In his clinical practice, Brian specializes in supporting queer individuals through trauma recovery, identity exploration, and the celebration of queer more...

Michael H. Dewberry is the founding director and CEO of the Pride Museum of Texas, an institution that preserves and promotes the history, visual culture, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the museum is developing and executing robust programming and pop-up exhibitions as it searches for a... more

Seth Knievel is an artist, archivist, and activist. As a current Ph.D. and MLIS student at Louisiana State University, Knievel is interested in how scholars can use performance to discover and amplify LGBTQ history. Knievel researches vintage photography that depicts LGBTQ couples from antique stores, online auctions, and estate sales... more

Jenny Block is a Lambda Literary award-winning author, writer, and speaker. She is and has been a frequent contributor to a number of high-profile publications from New York Times to Huffington Post, and is the author of Be That Unicorn. Find Your Magic. Live Your Truth. Share Your Shine; The Ultimate Guide to Solo Sex; O Wow: Discovering Your Ultimate Orgasm; and Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage (winner of a 2008 Lambda Literary Award). more...