Avery Belyeu Becomes First Openly Trans Woman to Lead LGBTQ Center

News Summary

Avery Belyeu has made history as the first openly transgender woman to lead a major LGBTQ center in the U.S., taking the helm of the Montrose Center amid significant legislative challenges. The center plays a crucial role in supporting the LGBTQ community in Houston, serving around 55,000 individuals annually. Belyeu’s leadership comes during a politically charged time, facing over 200 bills targeting LGBTQ rights in Texas. With a commitment to mental health and community support, Belyeu aims to maintain essential services for vulnerable populations despite external pressures.

Houston – Avery Belyeu has made history as the first openly transgender woman to lead a large LGBTQ center in the United States, assuming the role of Executive Director of the Montrose Center in January 2024. The Montrose Center, which has a notable 47-year history of advocating for LGBTQ rights, plays a vital role in supporting the local community, serving approximately 55,000 people annually.

Under Belyeu’s leadership, the Montrose Center faces a challenging political landscape, particularly within Texas, where numerous bills aimed at undermining LGBTQ rights, especially for transgender youth, have been proposed. During the recent 89th Texas legislative session, over 200 bills targeting the LGBTQ community were filed, although only 4% have been enacted into law. These include laws that prohibit transgender individuals from changing their gender on driver’s licenses and require insurance coverage for procedures related to detransitioning.

Amid these legislative challenges, Belyeu has convened meetings with 17 local LGBTQ nonprofits to collaborate on strategies for legislative responses and to address concerns about potential losses in federal funding. The Montrose Center has a budget of $12 million, with a significant portion, 62%, derived from government grants. This collaboration aims to ensure that the resources and support provided to the LGBTQ community remain robust despite external pressures.

Prior to Belyeu’s leadership, the center was impacted by significant national policies during the Trump administration, which included executive orders defining sex based on birth and the military ban on transgender individuals. Additionally, the Supreme Court upheld several laws that restrict gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, fostering a cultural environment that is increasingly hostile toward LGBTQ rights. These measures have repercussions that resonate through local legislation and threaten the essential support services for LGBTQ individuals.

Belyeu’s commitment to the Montrose Center is strengthened by her personal experiences, as she strives to ensure that no member of the LGBTQ community feels isolated or judged. She draws on her previous experience with The Trevor Project and her focus on suicide prevention and advocacy to emphasize the necessity of mental health resources, especially for vulnerable youth who statistically face higher risks for mental health issues and suicide compared to their non-LGBTQ peers.

The Montrose Center is known for providing mental health support, youth programs, housing assistance, and resources for survivors of intimate partner violence. As community members express gratitude for the center’s invaluable impact, it is evident that Belyeu’s leadership is fostering a sense of connection and safety amongst those it serves. One local youth highlighted the importance of the center for fostering community ties.

Despite the ongoing legislative challenges and concerns over potential funding cuts, including a recently leaked draft suggesting the removal of LGBTQ-specific services from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Belyeu remains focused on maintaining the Montrose Center’s essential role. As advocacy efforts continue, she aims to assure that supportive and affirming resources are consistently available to those in need, particularly during crises.

The Montrose Center’s origins echo its activist roots, notably stemming from protests against anti-LGBTQ sentiments in the late 1970s, specifically a high-profile protest against Anita Bryant in 1977. This history of resilience and activism continues to inform the center’s mission as it tackles modern challenges, with Belyeu at the helm, ensuring it remains a beacon of support for the LGBTQ community in Houston and beyond.

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Additional Resources

• Houston Chronicle: Montrose Center LGBTQ Legislative Challenges
• Wikipedia: LGBT Rights in the United States
• OutSmart Magazine: Queer Things to Do in Houston
• Google Search: LGBTQ Mental Health Resources Houston
• KHOU: Montrose Center’s New CEO
• Encyclopedia Britannica: LGBTQ Rights
• OutSmart Magazine: Montrose Center Election Support
• Google News: LGBTQ Texas Legislation
• Chevron: Helping the LGBTQ+ Community
• Google Scholar: LGBTQ Community Houston