Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelia Harvey.
Hi Amelia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
During the pandemic, one of our founders. Denise, started the LGBTQ+ Allies page on Facebook. People started chatting and decided to make and sell yard signs, donating the profits to local LGBTQIA+ organizations. This is where our iconic rainbow ducks design was born! Eventually, it became clear through outpourings here and several neighboring cities that it was time to form a Nonprofit. With three original founders, Denise Rodgers, Patrick Taylor, and Trisha Lewis, Taylor Pride was established!
We collected videos of people sharing their stories, music from the community, and live-streamed it on Facebook and KBSR Radio. It was fun! It revealed how many folks in Taylor were part of the LGBTQIA+ community and had been needing this. In late June 2021, gaining the support of several downtown businesses and the city, our Music & Arts Festival took to the public! With venues filled to standing room only for Drag performances, something we never could have expected in our small town, there was no doubt we were in this for the long-haul!
As our board and steering committee goes through natural evolutions, our mission remains the same; to foster diversity and inclusion through our service to members of the LGBTQIA plus community. Present day has us focused more on what we can do to give back during the other 11 months of the year as well. Family friendly bingo, school supplies drives, monthly happy hours… anything we can do to foster that connection.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Not always! We have had many protestors across our events, more so in the beginning when it was fresh. We knew we would not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we persevered through that and in the long-run ended up being something that spoke to our resilience and character and brought us closer together.
We have struggled with fundraising like most Nonprofits. The current economy has impacted things for sure. Fortunately, we manage to scrape by every year and keep the lights on, figuratively. We often operate on a shoe-string budget, and every single dollar helps!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My professional career outside of my role with Taylor Pride is serving as a Client Relationship Specialist for a group of Financial Consultants. Overall, I’m just proud knowing that little me didn’t dare to dream very big, but now she’s here – part of something that is bigger than herself.
I may not be the first person to grab a microphone at an event, but behind the scenes and in small gatherings, I thrive in deep, meaningful conversations around the struggles of our community. Taylor Pride represents something to me that I didn’t have coming out as bisexual at the age of 19 in Southwest Louisiana; a way to plug in with other LGBTQIA+ people.
I’d say what sets me apart is that I’m not polished. I did not go to college, I don’t have a lot of the structural knowledge that propels you in Nonprofit work, and I think that makes me more approachable and real.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
With over 14 years of prior experience working in eye care, and 20 years total working in some realm of customer service, I have developed a deeper compassion for people from every walk of life. This informs every decision I make with Taylor Pride, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent this organization I have endless respect for!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Taylorpride.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpridetx?igsh=MXd4d3NkbGJkZjloMQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
