FRISCO, Texas — In the wake of recent bills, some now laws, affecting LGBTQ individuals in Texas, a beacon of hope and support has emerged in Frisco.
Pride Frisco, an organization founded by Jon and Justin Culpepper, is swiftly becoming a vital resource for the LGBTQ community and their families, providing a lifeline of connection and support.
The organization's journey began with a single event, but it has quickly transformed into a year-round community resource. For parents like Amber, whose child recently came out as transgender, finding Pride Frisco was a turning point.
"To find community is everything. It's life-saving. It's life-affirming. It's life-changing," she said.
Frisco, a city experiencing significant growth, has seen a rising need for LGBTQ support services.
A large portion of the population is under 18, with over half being families and guardians. Recognizing the vulnerability of young individuals to mental health issues and bullying, Jon and Justin Culpepper established Pride Frisco to bridge the gap.
"With kind of the new cycle recently and receiving phone calls from people who are struggling. And so there are highs and their lows, but that's why we're doing it and that's that's why we keep going," said Justin Culpepper.
Pride Frisco aims to be more than just an annual celebration. It's developing a strategic organization providing essential resources.
The organization connects families with health professionals, offers social outings like Boba and art mixers, and provides a supportive community for LGBTQ individuals of all ages.
"Our community is extremely diverse in representation, skills, talents, and professions. That is the beauty of our community, and we want to showcase and elevate everyone," said Jon Culpepper, co-founder of Pride Frisco.
One of the organization's success stories is Amber's son, who recently had his gender and name officially changed on his birth certificate. This achievement reflects the positive impact Pride Frisco has on its members, empowering them to live authentically in a nurturing environment.
Looking forward, Pride Frisco's founders aim to secure a physical space for the organization. Having a dedicated space will enable them to host clinics, presentations, and meet-ups, further enhancing the support network for the LGBTQ community and their families in Frisco. Jon says they are growing every month.
"Our community is extremely diverse in representation, in presentation in skills and talents and professions in all walks of life. That is the beauty of our community and we want to showcase that, but we want to highlight that will elevate everyone."
NOTE: The following video was uploaded in August 2023.