Cruz

she/her/hers

Dr. Carmen Cruz is a Psychologist, Diversity Educator and Activist. Professionally, she is Associate Director and Director of Training at Texas Woman’s University Counseling and Psychological Services in Denton, Texas where she enjoys teaching future psychologists as well as providing therapeutic services to TWU students. She is a diversity and gender specialist and enjoys leading workshops and teaching to help individuals understand people who are different than themselves. Cruz also provides trainings and consultation for institutions and businesses who aim to improve their perspectives and inclusion within their organizations. Cruz moved to Denton from Miami in 1997 and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Denton. She started the student organization PRIDE at TWU in 2000 and also help start TWQ, a social group for TWU faculty/staff. In the community, Cruz was the first of two co-chairs starting OUTreach Denton in 2011, a leading LGBTQ+ organization in Denton. After her work with OUTreach, she started Pridenton to organize the first large Pride event in Denton in 2017 and has the long term goal of raising funds to hopefully create an LGBTQ+ legacy community center in Denton. On a personal note, she is a proud Cuban American, child of immigrant parents who helped her define herself through their struggle. Cruz is a transplant from Miami, Florida who loves spending time with her wife and kids, and also her cool cats, Macho and Eli. She goes by Cruz and uses she/her pronouns.

Kamyon Conner

she/her/hers

Kamyon Conner is a queer Black activist, writer and social worker with her roots firmly planted in grassroots organizing and medial case management. She serves as the Executive Director of Texas Equal Access Fund, an abortion fund serving West, East and North Texas. She served as the Vice President of the National Network of Abortion Fund's Board of Directors until 2021. She serves as the Vice President of PRIDENTON, a Denton based grassroots organization that celebrates LGBTQ+ folks and hosts Pride annually with a focus on QTBIPOC leadership. She received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Texas in Arlington and her undergraduate degree in social work from the University of North Texas. She enjoys incorporating self-care into her work and spending time with chosen family, her partner and her dog. She is an advocate for human rights and Reproductive Justice.

Enedelia Sauceda

she/her/they/them

Originally from the North Side of Fort Worth, Texas, Enedelia earned a Bachelor’s in Science at the University of North Texas (UNT) and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University. She works and lives in Denton; she is a psychologist; she’s an educator, she’s an advocate; she’s queer; and she is the proud daughter of a Mexican immigrant mother and Rio Grande Valley father who taught her that accents are beautiful, that humor is a life-vest, and that hard work looks like calloused hands and a strong heart.

Enedelia is committed to her work with the queer and trans community, because as a 19 year old freshman at UNT, Denton was not a place she could be herself; she found herself full of shame, fear, and without an LGBTQ+ community. When she returned to Denton in 2010 to work at UNT, she was intentional about creating spaces for safety, authenticity, and connection. She has committed her work to eradicate shame; to fight for inclusion, access and justice; and to give back to a queer community that helped build her up.

Kathleen Hobson

they/them/theirs

As a Queer and Trans person, Kathleen found community when they began working alongside Enedelia, Kamyon, and Cruz early in their time in Denton. PRIDENTON is a unique group of organizers, accomplices, and chosen family. Their connection and the magic they make together sustains them and inspires them to want to create this type of family for others. Kathleen values the passion and talent of the three Queer Women of Color with whom they work with, and strives to examine and challenge the ways in which their own and others’ white supremacy and privilege operate in Queer and Trans spaces.

Originally from Ohio, Kathleen received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Ohio University and their Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Akron. They moved to Denton in 2014 to open the Pride Alliance, the gender and sexuality resource center at the University of North Texas, where they currently serve as Director. Their previous Queer work includes five years on ACPA’s Coalition for Gender Identity and Sexuality, four years as the Southwest Region Rep for the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, three years on OUTreach Denton’s Steering Committee, and two years on the (Dallas) Black Tie Board of Directors.

They describe themselves as a white, queer, genderqueer/trans/non-binary person who navigates the world with anxiety, depression, and neurodivergence. Kathleen is a Capricorn and a Slytherin,  Kathleen enjoys working on home and furniture projects and spending time with their partner and cats Ailbhe, Ruairí, and Séamus. They also enjoy planning trips to see their family, Queer Sibs, and new nibling, Marlo!

Anjelica Fraga

They/them or she/her

Dallas, TX born and raised, Anjelica moved to Denton in 2012 to attend Texas Woman’s University. She graduated from TWU with a BA in English in 2015. Anjelica’s love for the Denton community has called them to serve in leadership roles for OUTreach Denton, PRIDENTON, and Denton Bail Fund. They are also a creative collaborator with Spiderweb Salon and a board member of the Texas Equal Access Fund. Anjelica is of Mexican and Guatemalan heritage, the daughter of a single teen mom, and a first-generation college graduate. In their free time, Anjelica enjoys nature walks, bingeing period dramas, and spending time with their pets, mom, and chosen family.

George Ferrie

he/him/his

George has been a resident of Denton for 15 years, and is the former owner and operator of Wine Squared, a local wine bar on the Downtown Denton square. He currently serves on the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Board for the City of Denton. He also serves on the boards of the Denton Mainstreet Association, Friends with Benefits Denton, OUTreach Denton, and is honored to be a Coordinator for Pridenton. He also has run for City Council and remains an advocate for the LGBTQ+ Community. George hopes everyone has a wonderful PRIDE, and looks forward to working with the Community to making Denton a more inclusive and loving City.

James Jackson

he/him/his

James is a Denton-based writer and activist. He is a Social Media Manager for The Moriah Group, proud member of the OUTreach Denton steering committee, and a creative collaborator with Spiderweb Salon. As a passionate advocate for the queer and trans community, James has led numerous rallies and protests and advocated for trans rights at the municipal, county, and state level.