In the United States, Pride Month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, a crucial marker in LGBTQ+ history and a catalyst for change that has resonated with Americans for decades since. As part of our Pride celebrations at Javelina, we remember those advocating for change then, and we recognize those who are doing the same today. Today, we’re highlighting a few LGBTQ+ changemakers who are creating equity and human dignity in our communities – friends, clients, and partners who inspire us every day.
Amanda Beatriz Williams
Executive Director, Lilith Fund
Amanda Beatriz Williams (she/her) is the executive director of Lilith Fund, the oldest abortion fund in Texas. Under her leadership, Lilith Fund has supported thousands of Texans seeking abortion care and expanded its programming to include organizing and more comprehensive support for hotline callers.
Amanda is originally from Houston, Texas, where she planted her roots as a community organizer. She has more than ten years of experience working in the reproductive health, rights and justice movement in Texas, and has extensive background in program development, policy, advocacy, nonprofit management, and fundraising. Amanda is a proud daughter of an immigrant and a queer Tejana. She is a proud storyteller with We Testify, an organization dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who have abortions. She is also a board member for Youth Rise Texas, an organization that works to develop the leadership of youth of color who are directly impacted by incarceration and deportation. She lives in Austin with her wife, Holly, and their beloved cat, Mica.
As the Deputy Director of one·n·ten, I work to cultivate community through building partnerships and I have the honor of leading the one·n·ten staff team in developing and implementing empowering social programs and supportive services to enhance the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth. one·n·ten offers a variety of programs, including a training program, digital programs, the POND Workforce Program, Housing Navigation Services, our Downtown Youth Center, 14 Satellite sites, wellness programs, The Zone, Queer of Color group, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming group, Camp OUTdoors and more.
I’ve had the honor of working to create safe and supportive spaces with and for LGBTQIA+
youth in Arizona since 2008, when I founded Camp OUTdoors. The camp staff, like our
dedicated Camp Director Dani Logan, volunteers, and our OUTscouts youth leadership
committee, help create the magic of camp each year. Through Camp OUTdoors, more than 1,100 LGBTQIA+ and allied youth and young adults from across Arizona and beyond have
developed leadership skills, celebrated their identities and built community in the great outdoors.
I am proud to be nonbinary and I am appreciative that I get to work with the most inspiring
young people, staff and community members, who work to create safe and brave spaces every
day. I am thankful for those who fought and continue to fight for the rights, acceptance and
celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially the BIPOC and Trans folx who have been
leading our movement since the beginning.
To join one·n·ten programs or learn about opportunities to become a volunteer or donor, please
visit www.onenten.org
As a trans man who was able to transition on the job at Planned Parenthood Arizona, fighting for justice for my community is one of the best parts of my job. As the Director of Government and Strategic Relations, elevating the intersections of identity and race and reproductive justice really brings all my activism and professional talents together. I feel tremendously grateful to have the opportunity to live authentically, work for a leader in sexual and reproductive rights advocacy, and aspire to be a great spouse and dad to three amazing kiddos.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona works to ensure queer students are included in sex education in Arizona classrooms, that LGBTQ+ people are not discriminated against in employment and housing, and ensuring all those who are eligible to vote have access to the ballot box.
It’s important to remember that the origins of pride — the Stonewall Riots — were an act of resistance against police brutality against the queer community in New York City in 1969, something we’re still resisting today and one that Planned
Parenthood is fighting, too.
Happy Pride!
Topher is the Senior Digital Strategist at the National Vote at Home Institute (NVAHI). With a decade of political and advocacy experience, Topher is deeply passionate about NVAHI’s work increasing access to mail ballots and improving election administration across the country.
The National Vote at Home Institute is one of the leading organizations working to expand and implement vote at home and mail ballot options across the country. Focusing on policy, implementation, and communications, NVAHI supports election officials and policy makers to make voting more accessible for all Americans.
If he could urge everyone passionate about voting and democracy to do one thing, it would be to tour their local election facility and expand their understanding of how Election Officials keep our democracy working. He currently lives in Denver, CO with his partner, Austin, and their cat, Lucy Lou.
What a group! We are so grateful to these changemakers, and to all of our LGBTQ+ friends, family, clients, and partners for the impact they create in the world. Their work advancing equity and human dignity is so important to all of us.