On Saturday, April 26, fire breathers, aerialists, drag queens, musicians and comedians took the stage for a circus-themed celebration for the Montrose Center’s 9th annual Empowering Our Future Gala: Under the Big Top at the Ballroom at Bayou Place. This year’s gala raised $260,796, plus a $47K matching gift from Jim Spears, for a total of $307,796 raised for LGBTQ+ youth services at the Montrose Center. Our youth services are a vital part of our mission to empower LGBTQ+ individuals and their families to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
Guests were encouraged to embrace the theme, with many of the 350 community leaders and allies donning circus-inspired attire. The event featured a silent auction, and a variety of exciting performances from Ringmaster and Emcee Dessie Love-Blake (Miss Gay America 2024), Singing Sensation Amy Armstrong with accompanist Mark Hartman, Aerialist and Drag Burlesque Superstar Eddie Divas, Siren Spectacular Keymiyah Dupree, ‘The Doll’ Artemis Hunter, Vocal Virtuoso Eric Michael Krop. and DJ Fanci spun records in the after-party of the gala
Thank you to our elected officials who attended: Council Member Mario Castillo, Francisco Sanchez, former Associate Administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Biden, and Judge Phyllis Frye.
We would also like to thank the evening’s top sponsors: The Ballroom at Bayou Place, Concierge Travel, Charles Caliva & Kim Gustavsson, Jim Spears, Luis Adame & Chris Robertson, Caleb Burson & Timothy Gug, Brian Dupnick, and Edward Finger, and Brad & Jen Gouge, who announced mid-event a $100K gift in support of LGBTQ youth services! This event would not be possible without your generosity and commitment to our cause.
“This circus-themed event wasn’t just a celebration of LGBTQ+ youth, it was a testament to the power of our community coming together to create lasting change. The generous funding raised will allow us to expand and enhance our youth programs, ensuring that LGBTQ+ youth continue to have access to housing support, mental health services, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and the support they need to thrive. It might feel like a circus out there, but the Montrose Center is here to help.” Avery Belyeu, CEO
The Montrose Center looks forward to continuing to empower LGBTQ+ youth to feel seen, heard and supported. For more information on how to support the Montrose Center and its programs, please visit montrosecenter.org/donate or click the button below. Please consider a donation today!
Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!
The Evening’s Top Donors
Brad & Jen Gouge
Big Top Sponsors
The Ballroom at Bayou Place
Concierge Travel, Charles Caliva & Kim Gustavsson
Jim Spears
Center Ring Sponsor
Luis Adame & Chris Robertson
Caleb Burson & Timothy Gug
Brian Dupnick
Edward Finger
Flying Trapeze Sponsor
CORT
Fran & Susan Smith-Snider
Lion Tamer Sponsor
Episcopal Diocese of Texas
Gonzalez Olivieri LLC
Carousel Sponsors
Kathy Anderson
Galene Financial, Rick Dickson
BJ Gill & Robby Guthart and Andrew J. McCleary & Robert J. Wallace
Paul & Leon Guillory
Bryant Johnson-Wood & Gary Wood
Matt McKenzie & Michael Sirimaturos
Oz Interiors
Nancy Sims
Jason & Julia Wang
Richard Werner & Tony Bravo
Auction Major Sponsors
Brand g Vacations
Concierge Travel
Event Elementz, llc
Mehdi Keddache & Adam Slone
Nice Winery
Southwest Airlines
Photo Gallery
Enjoy this selection of photos from Empowering Our Future Gala: Under the Big Top.