Equality Texas

Honoree Announcement! 🌿✨ For Anna Nguyen, roots are as much about the home we choose as the place we are from. Get your tickets: equalitytexas.org/gala 📌

Much like chosen family, chosen home is something we build through love, commitment, and the decision to keep showing up for one another. For more than 50 years, Anna has chosen Texas, and spent many of those years working to ensure Texas chooses all of us too.

We are proud to honor Anna Nguyen with the 2026 Glen Maxey Lifetime Achievement Award. Get your tickets now at equalitytexas.org/give/gala-tickets

Honoree Announcement! 🌿✨ For Anna Nguyen, roots are as much about the home we choose as the place we are from. Get your tickets: equalitytexas.org/gala 📌

When she and fellow activists protested a church using Austin ISD facilities while espousing anti-LGBTQIA+ beliefs, they showed up every Sunday, rain or shine, for an entire year, until the church ultimately moved its services elsewhere.

That persistence embodies the spirit of the Glen Maxey Lifetime Achievement Award. For decades, Anna has chosen to show up, speak out, and make what she calls “good trouble” for a Texas where more of us can feel at home here.

Honoree Announcement! 🌿✨ For Anna Nguyen, roots are as much about the home we choose as the place we are from. Get your tickets: equalitytexas.org/gala 📌

Anna went on to serve seven years as President of PFLAG Austin before becoming Vice President of Operations, helping expand support groups for LGBTQIA+ people and their families.

She is guided by her belief that “just because it doesn’t affect us doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be present.” Anna knows that building a home worth belonging to means being willing to fight for it.

Honoree Announcement! 🌿✨ For Anna Nguyen, roots are as much about the home we choose as the place we are from. Get your tickets: equalitytexas.org/gala 📌

Born in London, raised in Saigon, and an Austinite since 1975, Anna chose Texas as the place where she would build her life, find community, and eventually help create a more welcoming home for generations of LGBTQIA+ Texans.

After coming out as transgender later in life, Anna found community through PFLAG Austin. What began as seeking connection for herself grew into a commitment to making sure others could find it, too.

You love to see it: Today SCOTUS upheld a lower court’s injunction against the Trump administration’s new rule preventing transgender inmates from accessing necessary health care in federal prisons. Read full article: buff.ly/19zdOZQ #GoodNews #LGBTQ

Early voting ends in ONE WEEK (Oct 30) so don't wait to vote on election day (Nov 3) get out and vote early and avoid the long lines. If you're wondering how TX candidates are stacking up on LGBTQIA+ issues, check out our official endorsements list at equalitytexas.org/endorsements

Honoree Announcement! 🌿 ✨ Maxochitl Cortez is an Indigenous queer poet, cultural educator, organizer, and activist whose work brings together storytelling, political advocacy, education, and community care. Buy tickets: equalitytexas.org/gala-tickets

As a cultural educator, artist, and organizer, Maxochitl uses storytelling to preserve histories that are too often erased and to make space for people living at the intersections of queer, trans, and Indigenous identities.

It is this work that carries forward the spirit of Monica Roberts: telling our own stories, refusing erasure, and making sure the people most often pushed to the margins are heard. We are thrilled to honor Maxochitl and celebrate their impactful work with this award. 💖

A first-generation graduate of the University of Texas at Austin who identifies their roots as Chichimeca and Coahuiltecan, Maxochitl has organized around LGBTQ2S+ rights; Indigenous rights; education; land and food sovereignty; and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

Their advocacy has taken them from community workshops and mutual-aid efforts to public testimony and the Texas Legislature, where they served during the 89th Legislative Session in the office of State Representative Aicha Davis.

Early voting ends 10/30! We're teaming up with our community partners to show out at the polls on Saturday, 10/24, bring the community together, and #TurnOutForTexas! San Antonio: bit.ly/saqotv Houston bit.ly/metqueerla Dallas bit.ly/voteria-dallas

That's right, divas! Drag superstar, global entertainer, and RuPaul's Drag Race legend from North Texas is bringing her signature charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to our 8th Annual Gala: Deep Roots. Get your tickets: equalitytexas.org/gala

Join us and our partners at Rice Pride for our collaborative Civic Leadership program in Houston! Register at bit.ly/clc-houston

Houston & San Antonio! Early voting is 10/19-10/30, and we're teaming up with our partners to show out at the polls in your city on 10/24, bring the community together, and #TurnOutForTexas! Met Queerla (bit.ly/metqueerla) Queer Out the Vote (bit.ly/saqotv) 🗳

Equality Texas Action's official 2026 endorsements are OUT NOW! ✔️ Mid-terms are fast-approaching and we need to make sure we #TurnOutTheVote for these pro-LGBTQIA+ candidates in Texas. See endorsements at equalitytexas.org/endorsements

Honoree Announcement! 🌱✨ Building a Texas where LGBTQIA+ people can thrive requires more than good intentions from the business community. It requires businesses willing to invest in that future. Austin-based @inKind has done exactly that. Buy your tickets now: equalitytexas.org/gala

The company also served as Presenting Sponsor of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Business of Pride Gala, supporting programming designed to strengthen LGBTQIA+ businesses and entrepreneurs across Central Texas. 🌈

The Business Champion Award recognizes businesses that understand equality is something companies can actively help build, and we’re thrilled to recognize inKind this year. 🏆️ equalitytexas.org/gala

Founded by Johann Moonesinghe, inKind has grown from an idea born out of his own experience as a restaurant owner into a hospitality platform connecting diners with thousands of restaurants across the country.

But its footprint in Texas extends beyond hospitality. In 2026, inKind joined Equality Texas’ Pride with Purpose campaign, helping turn Pride-season visibility into direct support for LGBTQIA+ advocacy.

Don't forget to register or check your voter registration today! Today (October 5) is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming election on November 3.

equalitytexas.orgFund our Education and Community Work | Donate to Equality Texas FoundationThe fight for LGBTQIA+ rights is powered by the dedication and support of our monthly donors. Donations to Equality Texas Foundation 501(c)(3) are tax deductible.

GOOD NEWS: Yesterday, the San Antonio City Council approved a memorial street designation for Erica Andrews, drag performer and trans icon, who lived in the city for 20 years and was a pillar of the trans community. 💖 Support our work: equalitytexas.org/give #GoodNews #LGBTQ #EQTX

October is #LGBTQHistoryMonth! 🌈 LGBTQIA+ history is Texas history. As our communities face down increasing and coordinated repression across the country, we remain firmly rooted in the knowledge of those who came before us as we chart a path forward, together. Learn more: equalitytexas.org/qtht

Volunteer with us on Saturday for the Equality Power Summit! 🏳️‍🌈 We're looking for volunteers to help us with registration, set up, and break down. Shifts are available throughout the day (see shifts at the link below) 💗 Cover a shift: bit.ly/VolPSEQTX26

Y'all have ONE WEEK LEFT to register to vote! 🗳 Are you registered to vote? Many Texans have found that their registration status currently shows "suspense," so if you haven't checked your registration, check it now. ✅ Register or check your status: equalitytexas.org/vote

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If your status shows "suspense," don't panic! You can update your information online or mail in a voter registration form! More info: equalitytexas.org/vote

Join us and our partners in 10 DAYS (Saturday, Oct 3, 2026) at the Texas Capitol for our Equality Power Summit! 🏛📢 RSVP: bit.ly/eqtxpower #LGBT #EqualityPowerSummit

Happy #BiVisibilityDay to all who celebrate! 💗💜💙

22 Sept

Time is running out to apply for our virtual Equality Leaders program! (Registration closes Friday, Sept 25) ✅ Join Texans from across the state to learn the ins and outs of LGBTQIA+ advocacy, craft your story, and connect with community. Apply now: bit.ly/eqtxleaders

15 Sept

The deadline to register or update your registration is 10/5, so make sure to visit votetexas.org TODAY! What does my status mean? ✅Active: You're good to vote on 11/3! ⚠️Suspense: You need to update/confirm your current address before 10/5! ❌Not Found: You need to register to vote before 10/5!

11 Sept

UPDATE: Deadline extended to September 25! 📌 Apply for our virtual leadership training program to level up your advocacy skills. ✅ Apply now: bit.ly/eqtxleaders

10 Sept

It was an honor, a privilege, and a BLAST seeing everyone at our annual Barbara Jordan Garden Party in Houston last weekend! 💐

9 Sept

San Antonio! The L.O.V.I.N. ordinance will be heard for a FINAL VOTE tomorrow (September 10th) starting at 9am at the City Chambers and we need the community to show up in support! 💜 Sign up to speak: https://loom.ly/9Nmuq50

8 Sept

Dallas! Join us in the Pride in Dallas Parade on Sunday, September 20 as we march, roll, and strut our way through the city! 🌈 March with us: bit.ly/eqtx-pid

4 Sept

Dallas folks! We're looking for some volunteers to help us table at @txlatinopride on Sept 12! 🌈 Sign up: bit.ly/eqtx-tlp

2 Sept

Join Equality Texas and our partners on Saturday, October 3rd at the Texas Capitol for our Equality Power Summit! ✊ RSVP now: bit.ly/eqtxpower 📌 *RSVP required to attend - breakfast and lunch provided with RSVP!

26 Aug

Looking to level up your advocacy skills, craft your story, and connect with likeminded Texans? ✅ Apply now: equalitytexas.org/leaders Registration ends Sept 15, 2026 #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA

20 Aug

Looking to level up your advocacy skills? ✅ Join the Equality Leaders program: equalitytexas.org/leaders

19 Aug

We are honored to announce the winners of this year's Barbara Jordan Awards: 🏆Legacy of Barbara Jordan Award: Brandon Mack 🏆 Spirit of Barbara Jordan Award: Hon. Christian Menefee Join us in the garden: equalitytexas.org/bjgp

13 Aug

Austin folks! Come march with us at the Austin pride parade Saturday, August 22nd! RSVP: bit.ly/eqtxatx

12 Aug

We're excited to share that we are now accepting applications for our Equality Leaders program. The program is designed to provide you with the skills, education, and tools to strengthen your LGBTQIA+ advocacy work and champion meaningful change in your communities. 📢 Register: bit.ly/eqtxleaders

5 Aug

Join us for an afternoon where English garden elegance meets Southern charm. It's the kind of afternoon that reminds us why gathering matters, and why hope has always grown best in good company. 💐 Get tickets: bit.ly/eqtxbjgp

27 July

We're thrilled to announce our 8th Annual Gala: Deep Roots 🌿 This year's theme reminds us that movements are not built in moments of ease. They are built over decades of showing up for one another, investing in one another, and refusing to be uprooted. Join us: equalitytexas.org/gala