Queer Voices
Queer Voices
November 12th - Davis Mendoza Darusman's Activism, LOCAS, Team Friendly, and Tony's Place
This is a packed show that starts off with Davis Mendoza Darusman discussing his activism following the removal of the Rainbow Crosswalks in Montrose. Then Stephanie Saint Sanchez talks about LOCAS and their pop-up cabaret called UN-PRESIDENTED. James Martinez discusses TEAM FRIENDLY, and then we speak with Carrie Rai about TONY'S PLACE.
Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here. Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond. Check out our socials at:
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SPEAKER_05:Welcome to Queer Voices, a radio show that airs on KPFT Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. It's also a podcast that you can catch later on any site that supplies them. Hi, I am Brett Cullum, your host and producer for this episode. We're glad you're here. Queer Voices has been on the air for over five decades, and our focus is the voices of Houston's LGBTQIA Plus community. Tonight, I spoke with one of our producers, Davis Mendoza DeRuzman, about his community activism, which was sparked by the Rainbow Crosswalk controversy. Davis is continuing his momentum by organizing protests all around the Houston area, and we talk all about it. Then, producer Deborah Moncriefel talks with Stephanie Sanchez about Locust, which is a queer Latina arts collective, which is producing a pop-up cabaret on November 22nd called Unprecedented. Then executive producer Brian Lovinka talks to James Martinez. He is the founder of Team Friendly, whose mission is to promote a more friendly environment and raise awareness about people living with AIDS. And the last segment, I talk with Carrie Rye about Tony's Place and a food and supply drive that the Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring through November 20th. Queer Voices starts now. Hi, this is Brett Cullum, and today I am joined by a familiar queer voice, Davis Mendoza DeRuzman. Welcome to the show. I feel like you don't even have to be introduced.
SPEAKER_02:Thank you so much, Brett. No, I'm really excited to be here. But if you wanted to introduce me, I wouldn't stop you.
SPEAKER_05:Well, I mean, you've done a lot of production work with us, and you have been a big part of the show for so long. But now you have kind of entered this new chapter in your life, dare I say, where you are really becoming an activist. You have really taken up a lot of causes. And I think I first became really aware of your activity around the crosswalk when the Rainbow Crosswalk was obviously erased by Governor Abbott and our mayor and Metro. And you actually went in person and mouthed off to the mayor, which I thought was amazing. And tell me a little bit about that, about your activism around that, because I know you're continuing some efforts with that in conjunction with that, right?
SPEAKER_02:Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah.
SPEAKER_02:So leading up to the crosswalk chapter of Houston's LGBTQ organizing history, leading up to that, I had been a community organizer with a nonprofit called Houston in Action for about two years, almost three years. And towards the last year of my tenure, we really kind of wanted to take a step back as an organization and not be as front-facing, not be as public, not be as political. 501c3, you know, nonpartisan and all of that. But they also discouraged a bit of overly political messaging on our personal pages, especially especially if we tie it back in with the organization that we work with. And so October 1st, a few days before the announcement of the removal of the Rainbow Crosswalks, I was actually laid off. And so some people call this my activism organizing era, some people call it my unemployment era. But really leaving that organization allowed me to speak more freely about the issues that I care deeply about, which includes the LGBTQ community here in Houston. And so I was kind of unleashed. And so the first video that I put on Instagram and Facebook was really not holding back at all. The very first three seconds of my video, I said that Mayor Whitmeyer doesn't have the gall or care to stand up for our community. Because for those of y'all who are unfamiliar with this context, you know, the mayor of San Antonio pushed back against Greg Abbott in terms of removing the Rainbow Crosswalk. They submitted an exemption. But within hours, Governor Abbott and his Metro Board, which he has heavy influence over, immediately could and said, okay, we'll remove it. And that's that that pissed me off. And so that's kind of what got me into it. And so from there, always trying to center art and cultural organizing in my work. And so we did walk pride chalk on the crosswalk. It was the message of they might take away our crosswalks, so we'll just take to the sidewalks. And so we had community come out both in front of the crosswalks and also in front of Pearl Bar to do some chalk artwork. And that was kind of my introduction into this organizing work and the crosswalk chapter.
SPEAKER_05:But now you're you're branching out. I mean you're doing more. And you are actually, as of this recording, you're about to meet up with Governor Abbott and do a little protest when he visits here in Houston. And tell me about like some of the things that are coming up that you're getting involved with.
SPEAKER_02:Sure things. Pretty much immediately after the Rainbow Crosswalks, I did a public comment for the Metro Board and told them, hey, Governor Abbott gave us 30 days to remove the crosswalks. You did it in 12. Why was this rushed? Those 18 days we could have talked as a community, we could have given time to process and grieve. Um and then I also said that to Mayor Whitmeyer, and I called him Mayor Quitmeyer to his face because he used to champion our community, he used to fight for us, and then he quit. And so afterwards, we did a banner painting, a sign-making party over at Bohemios in Houston's East End. And we did a banner drop over Highway 59. And we had, I never know how many people are going to turn out to these events. We're not really a registration kind of crowd. We just kind of show up if we're down. And so we had over 30 people on the Montrose Boulevard Bridge over nine, and we had a queer to stay banner. We had two queer to stay banners. We had a giant trans pride flag, progress pride flag. We had helicopters and drones come out. We had a lot of honks and horns in solidarity with us. And if they were honking against us, I just pretended that they were honking for us. And so we're reusing those banners that we painted to protest Governor Abbott coming to Houston this Sunday, November 9th. And so we are going to put up those queer to stay banners to protest Governor Abbott's, but we're also really trying to do a cross-movement, cross-issue, intersectional action here. Yes, this is a fight for LGBTQ plus rights, but it's also a fight for immigrant rights. Houston has the highest reported ICE detention and deportation rates in the country. We need to be standing in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. I think this is a moment for us to use this identity politics that have divided us for so long to actually unite. And instead of pitting us against each other, like the elites and the owning class that I like to call them want to pit us against each other. This is the time for the working class across identities to come together and at the very least tell Governor Abbott that LGBTQ plus community members are welcome here in Houston. Immigrants are welcome here in Houston. Governor Abbott, not welcome here in Houston.
SPEAKER_05:Very strong statements and very apt. I had no idea that we were leading the ICE detentionists.
SPEAKER_02:That's at least in reportings, because ICE in Houston, they love to put out press releases. Not as many other cities do it as much. So in terms of reported ICE detentions and deportations, Houston leads the country. And by far.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah, and that's not something I want designation as of my city. That's that's terrible. So and I don't want to be the designated as the city that capitulated the first on the crosswalks and that did all of these things. And you know what's next? We're gonna be the first city to have all of the Ten Commandments in our school rooms or something. I don't know. It just seems like crazy. No, it's just somebody wants to if somebody wants to join you, like how do they find you? Absolutely.
SPEAKER_02:So right now I am mostly active on social media, on Instagram primarily. So that's Davis, Zen Mendoza, DeRuzman. Hopefully, if you search Davis, I'm the first one that pops up, but we'll see. But that is the primary way that I've been connecting with people. And I I mentioned the organization that I come from. There was not a lot of stake put into online organizing. I think the conclusion was that people who are online just stay online and there's no online to offline conversion. And what we're seeing, at least with my posts, and I'm working with fellow activists and organizers in the Houston area, is that there is a massive opportunity to meet our community where they are, which is social media, and push them towards action. Everybody that I talk to is fed up. Everybody that I talk to wants to do something, but they don't know what. So social media, they're already on there, they're already scrolling. So really putting out there ways for people to plug in, to get involved, opportunities for them, whether they want to create a banner, paint a sign, hold it up in front of the governor when he comes to town. But also tomorrow, Saturday, November 8th, we're hosting a community listening, venting, and planning session so that we can just get together and kind of turn our anger that we're all feeling into action. And so I definitely would recommend people follow me on social media, Instagram, Davis M. DeRuzman, but also other organizations in the Houston area. I'm a big fan of Queens of Houston. I'm a co-chair of that coalition, stands for Queer Unified Emergency and Empowerment Network, Queens of Houston. And so that has a bunch of prominent and also grassroots LGBTQ plus serving organizations here in the Houston area, from the Montrose Center to the Mahogany Project, Saber Sisters United to the LGBTQ caucus, the chamber. We have a lot, a lot of member organizations, but we're trying to also bring in individual members because I'm sure, Brett, you've spoken with your friends and everybody wants to do something. But like, where do we go? And so hoping to connect those dots so that people have a clear call to action and plan for what they can do.
SPEAKER_05:It's so frustrating because I feel like I have this anger, frustration, all these things that come up. And I don't know how to channel it. I don't know what to do and where I can help out. So I really have admired what you've done because I've been in the same boat as you before. I've been laid off before. And the tendency is just to kind of like wallow and just kind of go, I'm gonna stay home and watch reruns of TV shows or catch up on my streaming or whatever. And you are out there in the community and you're like turning this around. It's wild that you're doing all of this and you're creating this time to serve your community and to create community and to take action against everything that you see that is frustrating and angering you. So that's just incredible. I mean it's likely fun. Yeah. No, I mean, I just I admire the heck out of that idea of taking this time to like really like, hey, I've got it. I'm gonna use it for what I see as advancing my good and advancing my agenda and things like that and where you couldn't before. Now, the big thing is is like what's next for you? I mean, do you hope to like cement this a little bit more, make an organization, or what's are you just kind of putting the feelers out there?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, I I'm I'm really trying to follow the momentum and energy that it's kind of like in a reciprocal nature. So like I put these events on with collaborators. We I meet a bunch of like Houstonians, whether LGBTQ identifying or allies, that I never otherwise would have been able to meet. And so I I really am currently at a point where I could go at any any direction, whether it's towards a 501c3, nonprofit, a C4, maybe a PAC or some sort of political action, whether that's actually diving into politics. That's not something that I really considered or am really comfortable with, but I don't see people fighting as staunchly for our community as I wish there were. Another thing that I really want to do is I want there to be more Houston-based content creators like myself. I want to put on a workship, workshop so that people are comfortable. You know, we're we already have our phones in front of our face so many hours of the day. Might as well turn the camera on, keep that phone in front of our face, and share how we feel about the direction of our country, our state, our city, so that we can kind of influence our respective networks. I don't want to be the only one hosting events and creating content and making videos. I want to share this with everyone. I think everyone has the opportunity to do what I do. And I say that and I'm uncomfortable because it seems narcissistic. It's like, oh, you know, I do all this great stuff, but it's really not that hard. It's, I think we get in our own way very often, whether it's our own insecurities, our imposter syndrome, it's our feeling that, oh, nobody cares what I have to say. People absolutely care what you have to say. Otherwise, they wouldn't be following you on Facebook. They wouldn't be friends with you. People care. And I just want to instill that confidence and comfort in people so that they can take to the cameras. Because look, our opposition, they are not afraid to sit in their car and put up some racist homophobic trash on the internet. Nothing stops them, but we always stop ourselves. And so I really want to work towards eliminating that barrier.
SPEAKER_05:Well, your strength is video production and sound and creating content like this. I mean, that is your brand. That is what you did professionally. That's what you did kind of as your passion projects and things like that. So I think the message in there is that maybe if you can find what you're good at, or maybe find what you create in the world, maybe you can use that to go forward and definitely on social media, because good gosh, I always worry about backlash. I mean, have you had a lot of backlash?
SPEAKER_02:I've only had a few comments and thankfully nothing specifically threatening, nothing that has made me concerned for my safety. Honestly, uh, we do have preventative measures. We do have experienced people coming out there for the Abbott protest with us. But this is the first time that we're going into not territory, but we're we're going to where Governor Abbott and his supporters will be. In the past, we did our banner drop, we did it over 59. We had cars honking. There was distance between us. People drove on the bridge right behind us and they honked and they celebrated. But we're going into, and I'm very, very intentionally not saying what others would say, which is enemy territory. I'm very, very against that in terms of anti-violent language, but also these people aren't our enemy. I think people want us to pit against each other, red, blue, nonpartisan, but these are our neighbors. These are our coworkers, these are our family members. And so I know a lot of my messaging is frustrated and I'm venting. And sometimes people can perceive it to be negative, but it's, I really do want to spread love as our message. And I think calling it enemy territory. So we're just going into not the biggest fan of our community. And I'm optimistic for how that'll go, but I am certain that we will hear slurs like we did on the freeway. We heard people roll their windows down and hurl slurs at us, but we're not going away. And I really want Governor Abbott's order to remove our sidewalk, our crosswalks to backfire immensely. And I think that only happens by us showing our face and being there.
SPEAKER_05:Well, I'm really curious to see how we are going to respond to that. I know that Corny Vibes, one of the businesses at that intersection, they did a mural in honor of the crosswalk being removed. They put rainbows all over their building. And so, I mean, I don't, I'm not even vegan, but I'm gonna go buy Corny Vibes and eat as often as I can just to honor their commitment to that.
SPEAKER_02:I thought that was some of their tacos. They're delicious. Yeah, corny vibes, they're an excellent establishment.
SPEAKER_05:And I know that I had Jack Felinski talking about maybe putting on some banners in the streets. We have some permits that that area can do that maybe. He's checking into the what the requirements are. Is it still active? Is it all of this other stuff like that? But it's so interesting. I was really lucky. I got to see Jane Fonda talk when she was here a week or so ago. And she said that there was a difference between optimism and hope. And that optimism is when you just think things are gonna be okay. And you just think, oh yeah, it'll work out. It's it's we're all on the side. But hope is when you have a plan and when you actually say, I know how I'm gonna take the steps to shake these pillars and to kind of disrupt what's going on. And that's what you're doing. I think that you're representing some hope. You've got a plan and you're getting out there and you're kind of shaking them and doing it in front of them. I mean, that's a very important thing. I mean, it's very brave too. I mean, I think I wish that more people felt so empowered to do that. That's really kind of the coolest part. But, you know, we all do it in our own ways, I guess. Yeah. But I am definitely there. I'm definitely following you on social media. I'll definitely be at the locations whenever I can. And of course, you have an Ellot here on Queer Voices anytime that you want to announce things because I feel so horrible. Because by the time this airs, probably a historical event for you. But isn't there anything coming up in the in the distant future or like after this week?
SPEAKER_02:Or uh depending on when this airs, on Monday, November 17th, we're hosting another community listening, venting, and planning session at Frosttown Brewing at 6 p.m. The one that we have tomorrow, I'm taking it as a trial run. I really have no idea what to expect. I told people that this was a venting and healing space, but I think we could vent for a while. But I really do want to turn that venting and anger into action. So we'll see how that goes. But if if yeah, this is airing before that, yeah. It will. But also after this. One of one of the criticisms that I've received is that I work and move a little too quickly. I plan things like maybe like for this weekend or like so I am I'm trying to put some stuff on the calendar for December and for the end of November, but definitely stay tuned.
SPEAKER_05:Keep us posted because yeah, I'm one of those people that I have this I live and die by this huge calendar that I carry around with me everywhere I go. Oh, you really do for our listeners, but just pulled out the planner, the calendar. Oh, it's huge. And it's horrible because it's filled almost every night of the week. I mean, it's like so I it is when somebody says, Hey, come out this weekend and do this. I'm like, gosh, I wish I knew about this a week or two ago so that I could, you know, in advance, clear the decks for that. But anytime I can be there, I will definitely be there. But again, remind us, Davis Mendoza DeRuzman, and then how do you do the social handles? Just Davis M.
SPEAKER_02:DeRuzeman. And also you can check out my website if you're interested in communication support, content creation coaching workshops. I've worked with Christian Manafee's county attorney's office and helped their team, helped various nonprofits build their social media and their content creation. Whether you want me out and working with your communications team or communications person, you can check me out at dmd-2.com.
SPEAKER_05:Very cool. Well, we're on your side, of course, because you're one of our queer voices. I mean, come on.
SPEAKER_02:And you're doing an incredible job too, Brett.
SPEAKER_05:I really do want to be a good one. You're one of my favorite people together.
SPEAKER_02:Love your interviews. Even though I'm listening to your interviews and listening to the podcast and radio show, I can always hear the smile in your voice. And I can always like, I feel like I'm listening in on just a chat between friends whenever you're good people.
SPEAKER_05:Well, that's what I mean for it. Because we all are friends. And and if you don't have friends in your community, where are you gonna have them? So definitely do that. So keep us posted.
SPEAKER_07:We'll do this is Deborah Moncrief Bell, and coming up in November the 22nd is Unprecedented, the Queer Political Cabaret with a special pop-up show. And to talk about that is Stephanie St. Sanchez, who is a founding member of the Locus Queer Latino Art Collective. Now, Stephanie, tell me first of all about Locust. How long has that been going on? How did it get started? Who are some of the folks involved in it?
SPEAKER_08:So you know how like they say that eventually you find your tribe and you find your people. Well, pretty much that's that's what Locust is. We're a group of friends with artistic leanings, and it just all happens that we're we're Latina in some capacity or another, uh, either by guilt or association. And um, so we've been working together, making short films and uh doing uh theater and art, um, but we never really had a banner. It was just us doing stuff. So uh we decided to um in the tradition of I guess um uh all those uh art collectives all over the world, we'd like we shouldn't, we should give ourselves a name or something. And we decided with uh with locus because um we don't really have very many parameters on what we do as as far as like mild to wild. So it's just the ability to do it. You know, if you can dream it, can you do it? And you know, if we have the glue in the crayons, we'll we'll we'll go for it.
SPEAKER_07:Yeah, if you're gonna make art however way, whatever tools, whatever your vision is, you can do it. And that's one of the joys of being a creative person and an artist. Now, unprecedented, this is not the first show that you've done of this kind. No, no, it's not.
SPEAKER_08:It's originally the first one that we did was, I believe, when Trump got elected. The first time. Oh my gosh. And we're like, okay, we're gonna have we gotta do something. And uh I know earlier you would ask who's who's really involved, and it's it's myself and and Kuma and uh Jennifer Ree and uh Melalani Peterson and uh other associates, but um the night that uh the election night, uh we were out there and we decided to do just like a short to sort of like come to terms. And so Kuma dressed up like Dolly Parton, and we did uh um scene to the song Magic by uh Olivia Newton John. And uh I played uh someone who's really over politics, but uh she comes to me in a dream on my dashboard and uh lulled me into like, hey, it's gonna be okay. So we thought we'd take that message to the world. And um, so that's kind of how it started.
SPEAKER_07:Yeah, one of the things that keeps coming up is that being in joy is a counter message to what's going on politically, because they really can't thrive. Fascism cannot thrive where there is joy, and uh the queer community is bringing it. Uh the there are so many people that are being their selves, their authentic selves, and creating art and sharing it. And within these uh messages, because many of them are parodies, it's like if you really want the truth, look at what the artists are doing, right? Exactly.
SPEAKER_08:Um, really, because most of the time, like I said, we we're we're no hold barred, we we really don't have anything to lose. And um, I believe that in times like this, you have to do what you can. And um, maybe once upon a time I was out there in the streets, you know, doing what I do, but now I'm a bit more suburban. So I continue to contribute through the creation. And uh our other friends do that too, because um, I mean, we're we're a mix of professionals and amateurs, and it gives us a platform and for our community, and it's a time to, you know, express what we have, you know, especially with the attacks on drag performances and free speech and censorship, it's really what we can do to knock it to the man, so to speak.
SPEAKER_07:Right, it's queer defiance through art. Exactly. Totally. You know, it it's just amazing to me um that we are able to do this, that we do have people that are like, hey, I'm not gonna disappear, I'm not gonna be quiet, I'm gonna be loud and proud. And you know, I'm gonna be there, I'm gonna show up, dress up and show up. So the fact that we have that going on in our community, the whole issue with the destruction of the crosswalk, which was also a memorial, and how that spurred people to say, no, we're not gonna take that. And so there's been this whole burst of creativity. Rainbows are popping up all over. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_08:Um, it reminds me of that old saying that uh they tried to bury us, but little did they know that they were that we're seeds. Right, exactly.
SPEAKER_07:And now look, look what they look what they did. Yeah, and and they're doing it to themselves, and I'm here for it. So tell me a little bit more about the show.
unknown:Okay.
SPEAKER_07:When and where and that sort of thing.
SPEAKER_08:Yeah, for sure. The the particulars. So this is also um, since we've been doing unprecedented, this is a part of something called Fall of Freedom. And so you can look us up at fall of freedom.com for more information. And so this is a national, we're part of a national theme. So it's kind of cool. Um, but our show is on Saturday, November 22nd. It's uh 7 p.m. at the Aurora Chapel, um, which is 800 Aurora. And um no one will be turned away. So come on out.
SPEAKER_07:Yeah, just show up at the door. And if if you're able to pay the price of admission, then come on in. It's a fairly small space. Yes.
SPEAKER_08:It you know what I will say this is I love, I do love Aurora Chapel because um a bit of the history is that uh it's been many, it was a micro cinema, it was the Aurora Picture Show, and then they moved out. But originally it was a church. So that's why it says the name chapel. So it's like an old-timey church. So I kind of feel like, you know, that sort of like you're going to church, baby. You're gonna you're gonna get you're gonna get uplifted, you know, by the by the performances and everything. You know, you're gonna go away feeling good.
SPEAKER_07:I really, I really think it's appropriate that we do it there. I'm Deborah Moncrief Bell, and we're talking with Stephanie Saint Sanchez with the Locust Queer Latina Art Collective and talking about the show Unprecedented, the queer political cabaret that's gonna be coming up on November 22nd. Stephanie, can you tell me a little bit more about some of the acts? Can you describe some of them maybe?
SPEAKER_08:Well, gosh, well, you know, we're gonna um I believe that uh all usually everything that's going on at the time will get a little a little shout out, you know? So uh I believe that uh a friend of ours, uh Melani Peterson, uh made the president uh a birthday cake once. There was cake and it was not um the cake did not last, let me put it to you that way. Um we did have some dragons and burlesque, like I said, and different ways to save your soul. And we do actually have some short films too, which which are really good. And those are how to get yourself out of trouble if you have been in trouble protesting. And it it was a bit of a comedy and a satire. So it's a little something for everybody. Is there something particular that you're doing? Well, Jennifer Marie and I we like to do I come from film mostly, and so we like to do this performance where uh I'll put together a film and she'll um be the character. A couple of turns ago, we did something called Rape Culture Club, where we were talking about, you know, all the all the uh uh you know the the uh Me Too movement, and uh she was dressed like Boy George and we changed the words to it. So we're gonna do a little musical parody this time, uh, talking about um our delightful uh Texas representative.
SPEAKER_07:So yeah, that'd be a good time. So is there anything else that you want to tell us about about the unprecedented uh show that's coming up on November 22nd at the Aurora uh chapel?
SPEAKER_08:Well, I mean, like I said, it's it's um we're gonna have drag, burlesque, performance art, spoken word, and short films. And usually these acts are pretty small, as in short, you know. Uh the thing I love about short performances if you if you love it, it keeps you wanting more. And if you're it's not your cup of tea, it's almost over.
SPEAKER_07:That's one way to view it. Uh what was my question? I hate it when my mind just goes blank because I had a good question right there on the tip of my brain.
SPEAKER_08:Well, I'll just say that the it's it's like I said, it's um it's a part of the fall for freedom, the the fall of freedom. And so that festival starts. It's a it's a nationwide movement on the 21st, but we're doing our 22nd. And it's gonna take place in galleries, museums, libraries, comedy clubs, theaters, and concert halls across the country. And we're just trying to channel the urgency of this moment and get the artists and creatives and community to get together.
SPEAKER_07:Is the money from this going to the performers or is it a fundraiser for something?
SPEAKER_08:You know, I'll I'll say this that we donate a lot of our time. I mean, artists, when you woke up and you said, I'm gonna be an artist, your parents were really enthusiast, weren't they? They're like, Are you sure you don't want to be a pharmacist or a lady golfer? My dad said, you know, well, I guess he knew I was queer, but love them, miss them. But we we do believe in in um when we can to pay our artists because we do a lot of work. So it's not a big siping or anything like that. But you know, it's enough to put gas in your car and you know, get a new wig. So yeah, it goes it goes to our artists at the venue, you know, we're we're firm believers in the little rascals, let's put on a show kind of thing. So yeah.
SPEAKER_07:Right. Artists deserve to be paid for their work. And it's very important. If you know someone who's a singer or a dancer or has some other talent, that they you don't say, hey, will you gift us this? You say, how much can we pay you for this? Because art has extreme value in the world. Like I said, it's it's sometimes a reflection, but sometimes it's a tool that enlightens people and helps people in a way that they may not be aware of what is happening, but they get the message. And a lot of times people are more receptive to learning something if it's done through art. Uh so it's it's really exciting that you have this. Do you call yourselves a troop or just a collective?
SPEAKER_08:I would I would say that we're a collective because we haven't taken the show on the road yet. But you know, once we get that van working again, I guess we'll we can be a troop again. But yeah, like I said, the um that it's like, you know, come as you are, no one will be turned away. So, you know, in in our world, in the art world that that we're living in, it's that, you know, if you got a lot and it's it's just what you want to give, you know. But if you don't, we don't want you to miss out. We want you to still come in and I mean the the art scene, the theme, the community, you know, it's made of all of us.
SPEAKER_07:So everybody can yeah. Yeah, Houston is such a rich art community, the visual arts and the performing arts, all of it. We're we're just really blessed here to have that culture. It's they always talk about uh keep Austin weird. You know, Houston has a little bit of weird too. Oh yeah, we're we're uh we're keeping the light on for them. Exactly. Well, Stephanie, thank you so much for being with us on Queer Voices. Thank you. Thanks a lot.
SPEAKER_06:This is Brian Liminka, and today I'm speaking with James Martinez, the founder of Team Friendly Texas. James, welcome to the show. All right, thank you guys for having me. What is Team Friendly Texas and what how did it get started?
SPEAKER_01:Team actually, Team Friendly started by Dave Watts back in 2009, and um it has since grown to be world recognized. His challenge, which I commend him 100%, how do you take and create an image of something that is horrible to talk about, but yet make it friendly and approachable to talk about? So Dave came up with the concept of the Mr. Friendly Face. It's a smiley face, it's welcoming, uh, it's non-threatening. Also, what you'll see on it, it reflects positive and negative. So it says to the audience, I am prepared to talk either way about someone who is HIV positive or HIV negative. So he started the whole thing with friendly conversations, which is something that no one was talking about. President couldn't even say what was going on with it. So that was the birth of Team Friendly, getting conversations. Initially, the goal was to get everyone tested, find out what your status is. Well, fast forward many years, we've come a long way. I'm not sure of the numbers, but a lot more people are aware of their status now and are more proactive about their status. So there's been a lot of better conversation about yes, I'm aware of my status, but also having these conversations lets you talk about there are couples who one may be positive, one may be negative. So in the team-friendly events that we put together, we allow a positive environment with like-minded people so we can have these conversations. You know, let's just say, hey, my partner's having a hard time with this medicine. Well, you know what? My partner did too. So maybe uh talk to your doctor and try this. So the whole point is having friendly conversations about what is going on and also networking with like-minded individuals, creating unity and just looking out for each other. So we've come a long way. My personal interest and team friendly is the reason why I put together team-friendly text is is you know, being a male HIV positive since the 90s, I didn't have this support. We didn't have near the network that we have now. And so to kind of help those people who may or may not be going through this alone, to let them know that you're not alone on this. You're there's groups, there's organizations, there's people you could talk to, there's friends, but also to let you know that it is HIV has now it's a chronic manageable disease. It's not to say that it's gone away, not to say that it's glamorous. My concern is for the younger generation, is to educate them. All of our old veterans, we've been through that. We've been through it, we've survived it. I wasn't really much in the trench as everyone else was, but I was able to gather enough information to come out ahead. It's the young generation who feels that they're invincible. I'll just get on prep. No, no, no, no, honey. Prep is that's just it's helpful, but that's not the answer. There still needs to be accountability and self-responsibility. It's also needs to be a message. So these are the things that we're looking um to promote and bring awareness um with team friendly. We've started off here in Houston. Uh, we're gonna be doing an event here in Houston. Um, I'm also working with Tony's place. We're doing a food drive, another another event we're working on, but also we'll be going to Austin for a leather swap, which is also sponsored by Texas Team Friendly. So thing is, get the word out, have friendly conversations. If you don't talk about it, it's not good. These conversations still need to happen, and more so, as I said, for our younger generations. We need to make them aware of these conversations. And hey, are you are you taking care of yourself? Are you getting prep? Right now, who knows how much their insurance is gonna be? Are you able to afford your prep? So looking out for each other, building that network that that saved us so many years ago is vital to our existence and survival right now.
SPEAKER_06:Can you talk about living with HIV in 2025 and what has changed since you were first diagnosed?
SPEAKER_01:I'm gonna say since 2025. You know, there was a time, Brian, when I walked down the street and there was such a stigma that uh, you know, we use the word dirty. I felt dirty, I felt unworthy of love. Who would want me now? I'm broken. Uh in 2025, it is it is a much lighter atmosphere. It is you're HIV positive. Are you under good care? Yes. I have in the dating pool um a hundred years ago. People not want to date me because I was HIV positive. Now it's it's much better now. People are more educated, they're more open to understanding, and they're the they know that it's not quite as bad as as it was. So I'm gonna say it's much better in 2025.
SPEAKER_06:How do you communicate to the younger generations about the death and carnage we saw in the 90s and 90s?
SPEAKER_01:It is, for instance, you know, they tend to want to turn away, but I feel like it's not important. It's one reason is to tell a story, but there's another reason to teach a story. So if I tell a story, just to it could be, well, this is my survival story. No. The message is uh the reason for telling this story is to teach you how so you learn, so you understand, and so you do not have to deal with what we had to deal with back back then. And I think there's a lot of it gets swept away, and it's it's so easy now. Well, it is easy only because you take care of yourself. Self-accountability, self-responsibility has to be at the core of being who you are.
SPEAKER_06:Talk to me about Tony's place and how you selected them for your food drive.
SPEAKER_01:I've seen them do different events um throughout the community and everything else. It's it's always what intrigued me about this one is Tony's Place is they help the members of the trans community. They help people from, I think it's from the age 24 to 25, and they help them become more themselves, more accepting of themselves in society. Um, I have a friend of mine who's a hairstylist who goes over and cuts their hair for them to help give them that softer look or different look that they want. But there's counseling. More so, why getting involved with Tony's place right now with everything that's going on with the staff, which is another reason why I want to accelerate these efforts, is food banks. Food banks are our first line defense, and they are going to be tapped out 100%. And so we need to be proactive getting those shelves filled as quickly as possible. And that is why I chose Tony's place. It helps the youth, it sends a message to the youth that hey, you're okay, you're not alone, this is a very safe place.
SPEAKER_06:So if you had unlimited resources, what is your vision for the organization? What what do you envision this to be?
SPEAKER_01:I would like for it to be just an open conversation where there is no stigma, there is no shunning. There's still a lot of that going on within all cultures. And here's one thing I I wish people would understand. It is not a gay thing, it is not a straight thing, it is not a gender thing, it is a people crisis. So my vision would be is that they all recognize it as a human crisis and that we all treat each other the same and not separately because of gender, skin tone, sexual preference. We're all in it together. And so uh I would love to have this big, beautiful balloon that we could just or bubble that we could put everyone in and they live happily ever after.
SPEAKER_06:So I'm sure you need volunteers. Is there a way people can get in touch with you about being a volunteer?
SPEAKER_01:Yes. If you'll go on, I think I sent you the link there. So if you go to Team Friendly Texas, we're on Facebook there. Send me a message and reach out to me, say, hey, uh, I'd like to volunteer. It's interesting. People that have reached out have shared stories of survival and also personal stories that they may be feeling a little bit lost, but we definitely need volunteers. But team friendly, you'll find it on Facebook. I don't remember the exact address right now, but yes. But look up Team Friendly Texas, and it'll take you right there. Is there anything that I didn't ask you that you would like our listeners to know about? I think no, pretty much everything. More what we need to get back to is human kindness and looking out for each other, more empathy. And there's so much going on, and we really have to pull together. Uh it's it's not over yet. We have a long line of battles ahead of us, but it's gonna take everyone. So, volunteers, we're gonna need people to help in in food lines. We're gonna need people to help make sure people are getting medication. We're gonna need counselors, we'll we will need an army, and this is what we're looking to build as an army.
SPEAKER_06:Absolutely. The work continues. If you're joining us, I've been speaking with James Martinez, the founder of Team Friendly Texas, about the organization and the work they're doing in the community. Thank you for coming on, James.
SPEAKER_01:Thank you, Brian. Thank you so much. Have a great day, okay? Thank you. All right, thank you.
SPEAKER_05:She is executive director of Tony's Place, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQIA plus youth. Ages 14 to 25, they provide a safe space, key services, valuable programming. And guess what? The Greater Houston LGBTQ Plus Chamber of Commerce Foundation is helping Tony's Place to do a food and supply drive. It's the sixth time they're doing this. Uh, and it's a powerful way to get back the season. If you're wondering where I can donate food items to or whatever, this is Tony's Place, right? So welcome, Carrie. Hey. Hello. You know, tell me a little bit about Tony's Place, how it got started, what you're doing.
SPEAKER_00:So Tony's Place, um, we're coming up on being formed in 10 years. It was the brainchild of community member Tony Carroll. He was a very active member of the LGBTQ community and therapist. Um, and he really wanted to have a space where LGBTQ youth can get their basic needs. Um, he saw that there was a number of homeless youth and many of them from the LGBTQ community. So he really wanted to create a center that could really uplift them and help them survive and thrive. Unfortunately, Tony passed away suddenly at the end of 2015. And so his friends and colleagues came around and opened up Tony Plates in his honor. I am the first executive director of Tony's Plate. And before me, it was a bunch of very dedicated volunteers and one staff member. But now I'm here and we have six other staff. So we have a total of seven staff, which is amazing. We have a building, a 5,200 square foot building in the heart of the Montrose area. And in our building, we cook hot meals that we serve every day. We have showers, we have a clothing closet, hygiene supplies, so all sorts of the basic necessities that one needs to feel good about themselves. But in addition to that, we have wraparound case management and health and wellness services. So we have staff that will meet individually with youth, help them plan out their goals. Is it getting housing? Is it employment? Is it reconnecting and strengthening relationships with families? Is it getting connected to a doctor? So we have those services here at the center. And we are so thrilled and honored to be the beneficiary of the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce food and supply drive this year. I have to say that it is we are in need of supplies more than ever. Last year at this time, we were serving about 150 meals a month. Last three months, we have served over 800 meals per month.
SPEAKER_09:Wow.
SPEAKER_00:So we we are being kind of, I say eaten at a house and home because a l a lot of the people that come to our center, they don't have meals a day that's consistent. They may not know where their next meal is. And how can somebody take the next step and really thrive in their life if they don't have consistent places to eat, get clean, get new clothes? And so that's where Tony Slay steps in, and we provide all of our service through an LGBTQ lens.
SPEAKER_05:Well, what a wonderful tribute to Tony Carroll. He was one of the first people that I met when I came to Houston or returned in 2000. So he was such a big part of my life, and it's so nice to see his memory be honored in such a big way. And and that it's grown so much. I didn't realize you guys have six staff members now.
SPEAKER_00:And me that's me. So there's seven of us. So yeah, and we're we're open five days a week. We know 50 to 60 youth come through our day to our center per day. So, you know, that is an incredible increase from past years. I think part of the increase is, you know, a lot of people are struggling right now. And so, you know, they may not know where where to get some of those services, but also tell me that we we've really done a good job of elevating who we are and advertising the services that we provide in the community, and more people are tapping into that.
SPEAKER_05:Well, that's amazing. So you're doing a food and supply drive. So what items are you looking for? I mean, like what's the best thing that I can give you?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. So we rely on uh food donations to help in our kitchen. We will purchase fresh like fruits, vegetables, and meat, but all of those shelf stable items, we really rely on the community to donate those. So, you know, we're we're cooking 50 to 60 meals a day. Rice goes quick, pasta, uh, pasta sauce, all sorts of condiment, um, and then supplies for our center. So paper plates, naptions, cutlery, so we can we can serve toilet paper, hygiene supplies, so shampoo, conditioner, razors, deodorant, feminine hygiene products. And one thing we want to ask the community for is more hygiene products for black and brown hair. The majority of our clients are people of color, and all shampoo work well with all hair. And so we really we really need, you know, edge control, shampoo and conditioner for ultra-curly hair, do rags, bonnets, those types of things. They go really fast. And then on the clothing side, all of the clothes in our clothing closet are donated. And we believe that all clothes are for all people, and clients can come in and pick out whatever they'd like to wear and take home and what they need. We primarily need male presenting type clothes, and clothes that you know a 20-year-old would wear. So jeans, sweatpants, sweat tops, t-shirts, and especially like runners, slides, um, hat, belt, all that kind of stuff. We do we request that any undergarment be um brand new, we will not accept used undergarment, but everything else we will accept gently use clothes.
SPEAKER_05:Carrie, don't tell me this. I've got a ton of donations I could give you as far as clothes go. Take it, take it away. I'm so excited. So, how did you um hook up with the chamber of commerce? I mean, it says this is the sixth year for them doing this. So I don't know if you know the genesis of it, but how did it start?
SPEAKER_00:So we've been, this is the third year that we're actually being the beneficiary of this. Oh, okay. We joined the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce as a nonprofit member um a few years ago. And I know that our membership within that organization has been so incredibly impactful for us. We have found board members, volunteers, donors through being a member of the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. They're incredibly supportive of us. They show up for the community. Anytime I'm looking for a plumber or somebody to help renovate our bathrooms or fix our air conditioning. The first place I go is the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce membership directory. And I'm always impressed with the services that these businesses provide and how much they want to give back to the community.
SPEAKER_05:The chamber is a wonderful resource. I really appreciate everything that they do and the initiatives, and that that directory is gold as far as that goes. So and I'm so glad, and they're always here to help. I mean, that's that's one of the things about the community, is they really are. Now, the we can do these donations, it says virtually and in person, but it all ends November 20th. So we got a little bit of a time crunch here.
SPEAKER_00:So virtually there is like an Amazon wish list that um is available. So, you know, if people can't personally donate something, they can pick something off our Amazon wish list and get it delivered to us. People can also donate directly online through our website at TonyPlace.org. And then the actual day of the drive, there are several opportunities for people to drop off supplies. So we will be at the third Thursday LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce breakfast that morning. So we have bar so people can drop off their donations in the morning. We will be receiving donations throughout the day at our center, as well as we'll be at Eureka Heights or um uh Queer Market and Drag Bingo in the evening. So if people want to stop by and drop off supplies there, we will be there collecting them. And if people maybe can't make it to the drive, we are having a huge volunteer day on November 22nd to help us put away and organize all the amazing donations we will be receiving. So if you if people want to come out and help volunteer, if that would be incredible.
SPEAKER_05:Where do they come to call volunteer though? It's your space, right?
SPEAKER_00:At our space. We are located at 1429 Hawthorne Street. If people are familiar with the mantros area, we share a park parking lot with Bering Church. Um, and we're right behind Out of the Closet.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah. I drive by there all the time. So now I know I can donate to Out of the Closet and you as well.
SPEAKER_00:And if we don't use this, if we don't use some of the donations, we take them to Out of the Closet.
SPEAKER_05:So well, that's a wonderful, symbiotic kind of relationship right there. And then plus the church right there too, Baring. I mean, all three of you, like all together. That's that's amazing. So I am so excited to learn more about Tony's place. But one thing I saw on your website that I wanted to ask you about, there's a youth craft market that comes up Sunday, November 16th. It's 12 to 4, but it's on Lawrence Street. It's not it's not at your site.
SPEAKER_00:It's at the Feisty Collective. If people are familiar with that business, it's a queer-owned business and um sell craft and art made by various um community members, and our clients are going to be selling their art there as well.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah, because you you do craft projects with people.
SPEAKER_00:So we we operate uh craft surprise program, and so once a month we bring in different LGBTQ artists who share their craft with um our young people. It's how I phrase it is when it started, you know, people don't want to use don't want to come to something called a support group. But if we put out fun craft items and snacks and turn the TV on, it kind of turns into a really great support group and just kind of doing a therapeutic activity. And then last year we had the opportunity to partner with the PIC Collective, and they allowed our youth to kind of come in and put all of their artwork on display and actually sell their art. So we have worked with our clients to ensure that they have a bank account and that they can receive money directly for so our Craft or Pride program has kind of turned in turned from a like a therapeutic social group into an actual economic opportunity for our young people. And every time we have a market, we at least all of our artists sell at least one thing. So they're, you know, it's just it's amazing. And they're the artists are out of this world fabulous. Some of their art, I have it in my office. I've purchased some. It's just really beautiful, and it's a great way to support young people in entrepreneurship and celebrating who they are.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah. Well, Tony's Place, celebrating the legacy of Tony Carroll, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ plus youth. Uh it's 14 to 25, is the age group that you're working with, correct? Yeah. And you provide safe space, you provide programming, you provide uh showers, meals, all of that. So a great, a great place to stock up for the holidays and donate to, for sure. And we have until November 20th for this particular Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce Foundation drive. It's basically any time we could donate to Tony's place. I mean, I'm sure if it doesn't stop.
SPEAKER_00:All the time.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah, yeah. And we you're open five days a week. So is it Monday through Friday?
SPEAKER_00:Monday through Friday. Someone's always in the building between eight and four. Uh our busiest times are around the lunch hour. So um it's best to drop off donations either first thing in the morning or the afternoon. Um, because like I said, we have about 50 youth that are coming and going between 11 and 2. And it can be really busy.
SPEAKER_05:So Yeah. Well, that's amazing. Well, Carrie, Rye, it is so amazing to connect with you. I've I've just admired the work that Tony's Place has done in such a short amount of time. How much of you guys grown? Good gosh. So proud of you for that, and really affecting some change in our community. So definitely bless you guys for all of that. So thank you.
SPEAKER_00:I'm so honored that I get to be a part of the organization. Thank you very much.
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SPEAKER_04:This has been Queer Voices, heard on KPFT Houston, and as a podcast available from several podcasting sources. Check our webpage queervoices.org for more information.
