We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joy Perez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joy, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I am of Chamorro and Filipino descent, and growing up Pasifika, our culture was deeply influenced by Catholicism. Embracing my authentic self as a queer, polyamorous woman was a significant risk for me. Becoming an LGBTQIA+ advocate and educator for polyamory added to my fears of being ostracized by my family. Since becoming more open and transparent about myself, I have lost many family connections. It has been the hardest, loneliest, yet most liberating journey I have ever undertaken.

I have been very public with my life choices. Currently, I serve as the president of the Central Texas Pride Community Center and sit on the board of Resilient Intersectional Secular Education, a homeschool co-op. I even ran for our local public school board. In all these roles, I often fear being judged, attacked, or facing backlash that could impact my family.

Despite these fears, being true to myself has allowed me to create a home environment where my children can freely express themselves—a homelife I often dreamed of as a child. I have also helped others in my community find themselves, muster the courage to live authentically, and provided the support they need for their journeys of self-discovery and acceptance.

Joy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started with the Central Texas Pride Community Center (CTPCC) about three years ago, initially serving as the board secretary. Today, I am the current board president. My involvement with CTPCC began as a way to build connections with other queer individuals and find support for my children, who all fall on the queer spectrum. What I discovered was a significant gap in local resources and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Working with an amazing team, we strive to fill those gaps. We currently host several monthly meet-ups and support groups, including Queer Youth Alliance, Young Adults Night, Parent in Inclusivity, Out & About: A Queer Social, and Poly & ENM Night. We also organize an annual Adult Prom and a major Pride event, “The Greatest Little Pride in Texas,” every June. Our collaborations with other non-profits in the area, such as Rainbow Hearts Studio, Not Rich But Enriched, R.I.S.E. Co-Op, and Killeen Creators, foster community growth and solidarity.

My proudest moments come from watching the youth thrive. Through our Queer Youth Alliance, the kids have formed a Youth Council, spearheading their group’s growth. Their courage, strength, and authenticity in taking up space and living their truths continue to amaze me daily.

In addition to my work with CTPCC, I have been an alternative lifestyle educator for almost a decade. I focus on breaking down misconceptions and addressing cultural and religious trauma related to alternative lifestyles and sex, especially within the AANHPI and BIPOC communities. There is a significant lack of accurate information and education available to these groups, and I am committed to fostering better and healthier understandings.

Seeing the positive impact on the community and witnessing individuals embrace their true selves makes all the challenges worthwhile. Together, we can continue to build a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Learn your team and figure out exactly what they need!

With CTPCC, we have truly become a family. Our non-profit stands out because we have unique needs, just like the community we serve. We not only use our work Slack for daily business communication, but we also have several group chats where we are constantly in touch. You’ll often find us at each other’s homes, celebrating our kids’ birthdays, and even spending holidays together. We’ve created an environment where everyone feels supported, heard, and seen.

The work we do can be emotionally draining, especially when dealing with the hate and bigotry present in our conservative area. Because of this, we’ve become each other’s family, leaning on one another to continue our mission. This support network is essential for us to keep going and making a difference in our community.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Authenticity and Transparency. In a world where media often highlights success stories and the beautiful portrayals of end results, the challenging journey to achieve those successes is frequently overlooked. I believe in the importance of sharing the realities of that journey. I often speak openly about my own mental health struggles, the complexities of polyamory, the challenges of raising children, the pain of losing familial support, and the persistent battle with imposter syndrome. By sharing these personal experiences, I hope to provide a more honest and relatable perspective.

Acknowledging that the path to success is rarely smooth, I aim to create a sense of connection and understanding through transparency. Sharing my journey is not just about me; it’s about making others feel less alone in their struggles. By embracing and sharing our true selves, we can inspire and uplift one another, fostering a more compassionate and understanding community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ctpcc.net
• Instagram: @ctxpridecommunitycenter
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/ctpridecc

Image Credits

All images belong to Central Texas Pride Community Center