Latest / Queer Voices / October 1st 2025 Queer Voices - Jacob Newsome talks with Avery Belyeu about OUT FOR GOOD!

Transcript

October 1st 2025 Queer Voices - Jacob Newsome talks with Avery Belyeu about OUT FOR GOOD! · Queer Voices

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_01: Hi there and welcome to the Queer Voices Podcast.
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_01: This week we are running a repeat on KPFT, but we are giving you a podcast exclusive.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_01: This is an interview with Avery Bellieu, who is the Montrose Center's CEO, and we are going to be talking about the Out for Good event, Leather and Lace.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_01: It's going to happen October 4th, 2025.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_01: The event starts at 7 p.m., okay?
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_01: And that is going to be at the Marion Marquee Houston downtown.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_01: So here is an interview that one of our contributors, Joel, did with Avery.
• 0:34
  SPEAKER_01: So we hope you enjoy it.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_01: And thank you for listening to Queer Voices.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_02: And we are here with Avery.
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_02: And I'm going to let you introduce yourself, Avery.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks so much, Jacob.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: My name is Avery Bellieu.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_00: My pronouns are she and her, and I am the CEO of the Mantra Center.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_02: Okay.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_02: And as CEO of the Mantra Center, I know it has a long Mantra Center has a long history.
• 1:01
  SPEAKER_02: So it's been a cornerstone for you since LGBTQ community for decades now.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_02: For listeners who may not know, how would you describe the heart of the center's work today?
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: Well, you know, the Mantra Center's mission is to empower our community, especially our LGBTQ community, to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: And so this place was started at its core to be the place where our community could seek high-quality, affordable behavioral health care in a place that they knew would be free from judgment.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: And at our heart, that's still very much who we are.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: We're a place for folks to come who need someone to accompany them on their journey and to have that accompaniment be free of judgment.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: We have an amazing team of qualified and licensed mental health therapists.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: So we are kind of the hub of places for folks to come in Houston if they're looking for that type of support.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_00: And then wrapping around that, there are so many different issues that our team work to support folks on in a specialized way.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: And that includes folks who are experiencing intimate partner violence, folks who are struggling with substance use disorder, folks who are living with HIV.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: We're a big source of support for folks who are living with H with HIV.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: And we work across the lifespan, all the way from youth all the way to seniors, and everyone in between.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, that's that's kind of the core of our services.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: And then as a secondary thing, I would say the Montra Center has really, in the last few years, stepped into our identity as Houston's LGBTQ plus community center.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: And so the first floor of our building, which is a community center that can be used by uh the public, anyone in the LGBTQ community, it is uh oftentimes busier than our second floor where we do our services.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_00: We welcome over 55,000 people a year to that floor.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: And it is a place for community, a place for social activities, a place for organizing.
• 2:59
  SPEAKER_00: Um, it's really the the heartbeat of LGBTQ Houston is that community center function.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_02: Man, it sounds like it's pretty robust uh community center, especially for what we need right now.
• 3:10
  SPEAKER_02: Is this a story or an example that captures the impact of the center on someone's life recently?
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: So, you know, a story that I have been leaning into a lot recently.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you know, in my office, I'm oftentimes buried in spreadsheets and paperwork and meetings.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: But every now and then I get to have those interactions where I hear about people's journey and experience with the center.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: And in fact, right now we've launched a whole initiative to invite the community to tell us their stories, their stories of experiencing um the LGBTQ plus services that we provide.
• 3:44
  SPEAKER_00: And so um recently I got to hear of a story of one couple who they started coming here for therapy as a couple, um, as one of them was facing a severe illness, I think it was about 20 years ago.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: And they came back to the center for an event that we had that was an event um marking the 10-year anniversary of marriage equality, and they participated in that event and they renewed their vows.
• 4:07
  SPEAKER_00: And the story that they shared about why that moment was so important to them to come here and have that moment in this community center was because we had walked alongside them in a really hard time in their relationship and provided therapy and help and assistance to them as a couple, and they really credit the center with them being together and having that longevity in their relationship.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: And that's just one story that really captures how special this place is because here we encounter someone who is has come to us for services and for help.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_00: And then in this kind of full circle moment, they're coming back to the community center and enjoying being in community together, celebrating their relationship, which this place has helped support.
• 4:45
  SPEAKER_00: So that's a really great example to me of how we are many different things to different folks and at different times in their life because we accompany folks throughout the journey of their life, wherever that may take them.
• 4:56
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and that definitely sounds like like kind of a life course approach where no matter what stage of your life you're at, the Montreal Center is here for you.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: That's right.
• 5:04
  SPEAKER_00: That's right.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_02: So I want to hear more about the Out for Good uh Gala.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_02: So so for I'm gonna break this down as much as possible for people who may not know.
• 5:14
  SPEAKER_02: Um, I want to ask you about, first of all, the work you do there, the history of the gala, um, and all the details you can give us about the event this year.
• 5:26
  SPEAKER_02: Start there.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely, thank you for that.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: Um we we absolutely hope that commute that the community will join us um in style on uh Saturday, October 4th.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: You can learn more about the event at our website, mantracenter.org.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: You can also see uh links to the event on all of our social media pages.
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: So if you go to Facebook or if you go to Instagram, there are uh posts about Out For Good.
• 5:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um so I really hope that uh after hearing this conversation, you will join us on October 4th for Out for Good.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: It is the 12th annual Out for Good, Gala.
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_00: It's at the Marriott Marquee in Houston.
• 6:02
  SPEAKER_00: And uh we have a VIP reception that starts at six, the doors open at seven, and then we have a dinner and a program that starts at 7:45.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_00: Um and the most important part after that program, we're gonna have a wonderful um after party.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_00: We just announced the DJ, so really excited for that.
• 6:17
  SPEAKER_00: The theme this year is leather and lace.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so super fun theme.
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_00: If that is not something you have in your closet and you don't want to go out and do a shopping expedition, black cocktail attire works great.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: So either one of those that feels good for you.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um and again, you can find everything you need to know at MontroCenter.org.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_00: And a few words about this event and why it's so important.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: So the kind of history of it, the reason for the name, Out for Good, um, it's held every year to coincide uh either on the same day of or around the time of National Coming Out Day.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: And so National Coming Out Day is a day in early October when the LGBTQ community marks that um for so many of us, the journey of sharing who we are, discovering who we are, and then sharing it with others, coming out is such an important uh milestone.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_00: And that coming out is never something we do alone.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: Coming out is something we always do together in community.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: Um it's something that requires community around us to support us, to love on us, to accept us, right?
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_00: If that coming out is gonna be the best that it possibly can be.
• 7:21
  SPEAKER_00: And so uh out for good is our moment to celebrate uh our authenticity as LGBTQ people and that we can only do this work of caring for each other, loving on each other, supporting each other if we do that work in community.
• 7:37
  SPEAKER_00: Whether we're an LGBTQ person who wants to give back to other folks in their journey, or we're an ally.
• 7:43
  SPEAKER_00: It takes all of us linking arms together to be out for good.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's exactly why we've titled the event uh in that way.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_00: And we're so pleased that every year we receive such an amazing response from our community who come out to celebrate with us.
• 7:59
  SPEAKER_02: I, you know, I I love, love, love that because there is a there's a community aspect to it.
• 8:04
  SPEAKER_02: We all need to stick together to, especially now, especially in the political climate we're in now, we all need to stick together and fight for each other.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_02: And um, and so I I love your response.
• 8:16
  SPEAKER_02: Tell me about the honorees you selected.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_02: Um, how are honorees usually selected, and what are the ones for this year represent for y'all?
• 8:26
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 8:26
  SPEAKER_00: So we have two different awards that we currently give.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_00: Um, one of them is the historic award.
• 8:31
  SPEAKER_00: We we've for many years gave just one award, which was the LGBTQ Visionary Award.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_00: And we have an internal set of criteria that we use to understand who might be the best fit for that award.
• 8:42
  SPEAKER_00: And so um, the Visionary Award, the criteria for that is it's an individual whose vision and leadership has shaped LGBTQ Houston and is aligned with our mission of helping our community to thrive.
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: And so we've given been giving that award since 2015.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_00: Um the uh honoree this year is Atlantis Narcisse, who many of us know Atlantis is such uh an extraordinary leader in our community, whose leadership has shaped our community in so many ways and continues to do so.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so she joins a fantastic list of folks that include such names as Judge Phyllis Frye, um uh uh Greg Ju.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: Last year was the individual who received that award.
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_00: So just a really amazing list of folks since 2015, which you can find on our website.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_00: So that's the Visionary Award.
• 9:29
  SPEAKER_00: Last year, we decided for the first time ever to create a new award.
• 9:33
  SPEAKER_00: And that was the Innovator Award.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_00: And the Innovator Award is an award to a member who's made a large impact on LGBTQ Houston and who have created positive change and growth.
• 9:44
  SPEAKER_00: Um, last year we were really honored to award Ian Haddock for that, um, for that first ever innovator award for all of his work with the Normal Anomaly.
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_00: Um, it was so exciting to be able to acknowledge and recognize his work in that way.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: The Montreux Center's had a longtime relationship with the Normal Anomaly, and so to be able to stand on a stage and celebrate all their work is really powerful.
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_00: This year, the honoree is Brad Pritchett, who is the interim CEO of Equality Texas.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_00: And we're coming out of a legislative session where Brad really has demonstrated, as he has so many years and all the different roles he's held across doing civil rights work, that he's an innovator in finding ways to care for the community.
• 10:23
  SPEAKER_00: And why I'm especially excited to honor Brad this year, and we'll talk about this at the event, is one of the ways I've seen Brad innovate.
• 10:30
  SPEAKER_00: Brad, of course, his primary focus is doing legislative advocacy work, but he has been really cognizant of the fact that this work is hard and that in the midst of doing it, you need to make sure you're caring for folks' mental health and well-being.
• 10:43
  SPEAKER_00: And so Brad has very proactively partnered with us and with others to make sure that folks who are doing that legislative advocacy work and they're in the trenches, that they have the mental health support they need to take care of themselves in the midst of that really hard work.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's a way that Brad really exemplifies what it means to be an innovator and why we're really excited to honor him with this award this year.
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_02: So, is there anything about this year's Out for Good event that makes it really special for y'all?
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_02: What can people expect when they attend this year?
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, so you know, a couple things.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_00: I think as always, uh it's gonna be an exciting and energetic program.
• 11:17
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, we understand that folks come into our room to be together, to enjoy their company together, to understand our mission, um, and not to have to sit through a really, really lengthy program.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: So, what I can promise you is the program will be inspiring, it will be energizing, um, and we will have plenty of time for us to enjoy being in community together and to enjoy that amazing after party with our DJ.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_00: So that's one thing I'll say.
• 11:40
  SPEAKER_00: Um, because all of us go to different galas, uh, we try to make sure that it's it's um it's really energizing and that the feeling you come away with is of being together in community.
• 11:49
  SPEAKER_00: Um, the other thing I would say is, and it leans to that community piece.
• 11:52
  SPEAKER_00: And you mentioned this earlier, Jacob.
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_00: So I want to reflect back on this.
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_02: Yes.
• 11:57
  SPEAKER_00: This is a really unique moment.
• 12:00
  SPEAKER_00: Um, we are facing challenges, not that I would say we we haven't necessarily experienced before in some form or fashion, but I will say, in my time of doing LGBTQ work, which has been the whole of my career, we have not faced the challenges we're facing now in exactly the way we are facing them.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_00: We are up against it.
• 12:23
  SPEAKER_00: And it does feel like that we have lost some ground, both in the area of civil rights, um, but also in social context and and environment.
• 12:33
  SPEAKER_00: And so I think it is more important than it was this time last year for us to get into a room together and recommit to caring for each other, um, to finding ways to being invested in each other's wellness, in each other's joy, right?
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_00: Because I think joy is is is at the center of who our community is.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and in making sure that all of us have the resources we need to thrive.
• 12:59
  SPEAKER_00: And so I think given this environment, this context, and what's still to come in the months ahead, it's never been more important than for folks to join us at Out for Good this year and make sure that the Montrose Center, which is Houston's largest LGBTQ nonprofit, continues to have the resources we need to support the community, um, which our staff just does with such excellence.
• 13:19
  SPEAKER_02: And I appreciate all the work you do, especially now.
• 13:22
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so with that being said, I know a lot of help is needed.
• 13:26
  SPEAKER_02: So for folks listening right now who may want to show up, how can they get involved?
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_02: Whether it's tickets, sponsorship, volunteering, you know, you name it, we're there.
• 13:35
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 13:36
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm gonna answer that in two ways.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_00: First of all, about the event.
• 13:39
  SPEAKER_00: So at the event, um, we absolutely uh still have room for more folks to sponsor the event.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: So if you are um, you know, sitting at home listening to this and you've been doom scrolling on your phone and you're feeling despair and going, what do I do?
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_00: You know, I often reflect there's two questions I use to guide my own life in this moment, which the first is what needs to be done?
• 13:59
  SPEAKER_00: And when I open my phone, I see a myriad of things that need to be done.
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_00: It is so easy to be overwhelmed by that.
• 14:05
  SPEAKER_00: But then I find my courage in the second question, which is what is mine to do?
• 14:09
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're listening to this interview and you're feeling a sense of despair, I'll lean into what Joan Baez says, which is action is the antidote to despair.
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_00: So you can take some action.
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_00: You can take some action by sponsoring Out for Good.
• 14:21
  SPEAKER_00: You can buy a ticket today for Out for Good on our website.
• 14:24
  SPEAKER_00: Um, if neither of those things make sense for you in this moment, we absolutely would love you to volunteer.
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um, there are ways to volunteer for the event.
• 14:32
  SPEAKER_00: Um, you can reach out to our staff to figure out how to do that.
• 14:36
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so that's the event.
• 14:37
  SPEAKER_00: But secondarily, I would say the Mantra Center is a hub of ways to be involved.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_00: And so um, you know, whether it's coming here because you yourself need resources and support, or it's coming to volunteer with us so that you're getting your hands dirty supporting others, um, there is always a way to plug into the Montreal Center.
• 14:56
  SPEAKER_00: Um, we have a community advisory board, which has an open call for uh applications at any time, which you can follow on our website.
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_00: Um, we have events regularly that are not big events like this, but that are free to attend where you can learn more about our mission.
• 15:09
  SPEAKER_00: And if you go to our website and look at the calendar, you will find that every single day of the week, there is something happening in our community center.
• 15:17
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so if you are just wanting to get involved, um there is no shortage of ways to get involved with our mission from ways that are really time intensive to ways that are less time intensive.
• 15:28
  SPEAKER_00: I think the important thing is um answer that second question, which is what is mine to do?
• 15:32
  SPEAKER_00: And I hope that it will lead you to the doors of the Montreal Center.
• 15:35
  SPEAKER_02: Well, I agree.
• 15:36
  SPEAKER_02: I'm gonna, I know I've kept you up a lot, but I'm gonna close out with this question.
• 15:40
  SPEAKER_02: So um, beyond out for good, what is next for the Montreal Center?
• 15:46
  SPEAKER_02: What are your biggest needs and opportunities?
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_02: And give me a second here.
• 15:50
  SPEAKER_02: If you had if you had 30 seconds to speak to someone who may feel unseen or disconnected, especially now, what would you want them to hear?
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_00: So I'll answer the first part of your question first, which is you know, the Montro Center, um, what I what I hope our community hears is no matter what may come our way, the Montro Center is here to stay.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: And I didn't mean to rhyme just then, but I did.
• 16:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um for folks who enjoy a rhyme.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_00: Um, we're not going anywhere.
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_00: Um, we were born in an era of intense homophobia pre-AIDS crisis.
• 16:21
  SPEAKER_00: We weathered the AIDS crisis um and Ronald Reagan and all that it brought with it.
• 16:26
  SPEAKER_00: Um we uh survived the first Trump administration.
• 16:29
  SPEAKER_00: We are not going anywhere.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_00: The Montro Center is here to stay.
• 16:32
  SPEAKER_00: You can rely on the Montre Center.
• 16:34
  SPEAKER_00: However, the only way that that can continue to be true is if you support us.
• 16:37
  SPEAKER_00: Um, it truly takes a village, it takes our community.
• 16:41
  SPEAKER_00: This is a community center.
• 16:43
  SPEAKER_00: And so what that means is it's a gathering place for community, but it's built by community.
• 16:47
  SPEAKER_00: And so um we are grateful for every opportunity for community to invest in us so that we can continue to invest in our community and our future.
• 16:57
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and if I had 30 seconds to speak to someone who might be feeling unseen or disconnected, I want to say this you are not alone.
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_00: And I know this moment can feel scary.
• 17:09
  SPEAKER_00: I know that it can feel isolating.
• 17:11
  SPEAKER_00: However, there is a big, beautiful, vibrant, um, fabulous community of people who have walked the journey that you are walking.
• 17:23
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and we are here for you.
• 17:26
  SPEAKER_00: And you are not alone and you don't have to be alone.
• 17:29
  SPEAKER_00: So if you are feeling isolated, if you are feeling afraid, know that you can come to the Montro Center.
• 17:35
  SPEAKER_00: Call us up, go to our website and schedule an appointment, walk in during our operating hours to the second floor and say, hey, I need to talk to somebody because the Montro Center is here so that no person in the greater Houston metropolitan area has to feel like they are alone.
• 17:50
  SPEAKER_02: That is a beautiful wow.
• 17:52
  SPEAKER_02: That is a beautiful ending, Avery.
• 17:54
  SPEAKER_02: Um, so this has been Avery Bellew, the CEO of the Montreal Center.
• 17:58
  SPEAKER_02: Thank you so much, Avery.
• 18:00
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 18:00
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for having me on.
• 18:02
  SPEAKER_02: Yes, ma'am.
• 18:02
  SPEAKER_02: And how do we wait you end.