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 9^th 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.kinsta.cloud/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