Feminist and activist, Judith Butler theorizes the establishment produces and perpetuates social rhetoric communicating a singular, hegemonic self and identity conceptualized directly from norms and normativity (Butler 19). By establishing that which adheres to the narrow label of “normal” and “natural,” our social order situates those who do not fit within these categories into a cycle of erasure: “Certain lives are not considered lives at all, they cannot be humanized; they fit no dominant frame for the human, and their dehumanization occurs…then gives rise to a physical violence” (25). By not recognizing these marginalized individuals as humans at all, the state legitimizes the oppression and violence committed against them. Subsequently, the discourse that follows is characterized as that in which “there have been no lives, and no losses, there has been no common physical condition, no vulnerability that serves as the basis for an apprehension of commonality,” (25). In turn, for the state, this leaves no need or obligation for the surrender of the same commonality that sustains harm and violence to so many lives.

I say this because I had the pleasure of connecting with former President and current Treasurer and Membership Coordinator, Jo Ivester, of PFLAG Georgetown. PFLAG is a national organization actively working to combat the kind of exclusion and erasure of marginalized LGBTQ+ people we see at work by the establishment. PFLAG is known as “the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them” (PFLAG National). The Georgetown chapter of PFLAG is an active example of coalition building working to resist the power dynamics and discrimination Judith Butler describes. In our conversation, Ivester shared, “We are very interested in providing a safe space for students, through our monthly support group meetings and other activities.”

In April of 2022, the local chapter began organizing, working tirelessly over the next couple of months to gauge community needs and interest. On June 1st of that year, they officially held a meeting inviting the wider community to join, finding their organizing space filled with prospective members and interested parties. Organizing members were blown away, expecting only half a dozen people to show up at the meeting, but ended up with standing room only! From that moment forward, PFLAG Georgetown has only continued to grow in the past few years. The organization currently has 50 formal members, about 200 people in their Facebook group, and roughly 300 people on its email distribution list. While PFLAG’s student membership fee is $30, the organization has scholarship funds set aside to cover the membership fee for students who don’t have the financial bandwidth to cover the expense. If you’re looking for community and support, and interested in becoming a formal member all you have to do is reach out.

Ivester believes that in addition to just getting the word out about PFLAG’s services, it makes all the difference: “Just by being present and visible, we raise awareness and show support.” PFLAG’s visibility in Georgetown and Williamson County, a county with a 49.6% Democrat base and 48.2% Republican proponents, truly does make a difference for LGBTQ+ people and allies alike to know that there are organizations and spaces that value and advocate for their quality of life (“Zip 78626 (Georgetown, TX) Politics & Voting”).

Part of this public showcasing of support has taken the form of their inaugural event, back-to-school gathering in Geary Park in August 2022 attended by about 30 people. Since then, in addition to monthly support group meetings, PFLAG held a “Coming Out Party” at Lark & Owl Bookstore, a read-in at the Public Library, participated in the Poppy Festival Parade and the Christmas Stroll, and staffed a booth at Market Days, to name just a few. It wasn’t until the Summer of 2023 that they then founded Georgetown Pride. While this was Georgetown’s first Pride, our surrounding communities, Round Rock, Taylor, and Austin had previously held events and programming. Inspired by these initiatives, PFLAG Georgetown’s tagline was “If Taylor can do it, then so can Georgetown.” Sponsoring the event, hosted by PRIDE, PFLAG Georgetown worked closely with Southestern’s very own student organization, Pirates for Pride, as their main partner. The Georgetown Pride Block Party was held during Pride History Month in October of 2023. With an amazing turnout of over 400 people, attendees and performers—many of whom were students—joined their community outside of the Georgetown Public Library for food, fun, and drag!

Performers (listed from left to right) The Trans Era, Sir Beauregard Elliot, and Your X Stasy, photographed by Todd White

Ivester shared what a difference working with Pirates for Pride made, “ The moment that the student leaders of Pirates for Pride announced a $2,000 donation for that first Georgetown Pride Block Party got folks all choked up. Everyone involved recognized the significance of student involvement and appreciated the financial support, without which that event would have been much smaller. The students explained that queer members of the Southwestern community were fearful about expressing themselves publicly in Georgetown, concerned that they would be verbally or physically attacked. We wanted to create a space that would address that, a space in which students can be themselves and not be afraid.”

Over time, PFLAG and Georgetown Pride have only continued to grow and support Williamson County. In 2024, the Georgetown Pride board became exclusively run by members of the queer community and relocated their Pride event to Founder’s Park gaining a crowd of over 2,000 people!

Even in trying times. PFLAG Georgetown and its members have and continue to show up for its community. PFLAG radically encourages queer pride and visibility while carving out affirming and safe spaces for LBTQ+ people.

How can you get connected?

PFLAG Georgetown hosts support group meetings at 7:30 pm—in March moving to 6:30 pm—on the third Thursday of each month on the second floor of the Georgetown Public Library.

Are you looking for more information or looking to connect with PFlag Georgetown? Visit their website, wite to them at pflaggtx@gmail.com, and follow them on Facebook!

Sources

Butler, Judith. Undoing Gender. Routledge, 2009.