Mar 19 2025 57 mins 1
A powerful convergence of art and advocacy unfolds in this episode of Queer Voices as two transformative leaders share their visions for Houston's LGBTQ+ community.
Pulitzer Prize finalist Lisa D'Amour invites listeners into her boundary-defying theatrical world, where traditional storytelling meets immersive art installations. Her fourth collaboration with Catastrophic Theater, "The Frozen Section," imagines a surreal post-apocalyptic grocery store where survivors maintain humanity through collective cosplay performance of working and being in a grocery. "We meet the people who are the workers and the people who are the shoppers," D'Amour explains, revealing how this strange microcosm explores community resilience when societal structures collapse. The playwright's description of her previous work—including a six-hour installation where audiences witnessed a fabric forest appear over 7 hours and vanish in forty minutes—showcases her unique approach to creating theater that functions as both poetry and social commentary. She's amazing, and also from New Orleans!
Meanwhile, Montrose Center CEO Avery Belyeu reflects on her first year leading Houston's largest LGBTQ+ resource hub during increasingly challenging political times. With previous leadership roles at Lambda Legal and The Trevor Project, Bellew brings both professional expertise and personal perspective as a transgender woman navigating the current landscape. Her vision for the Center emphasizes community connection as the ultimate solution to political scapegoating and potential funding threats. "I think that's where it's so important for all of us to make sure we're taking care of ourselves," Bellew advises, highlighting the Center's comprehensive services for 55,000 annual clients across all age groups—from youth programming to senior housing.
The conversation weaves between artistic expression and practical advocacy as both guests demonstrate how Houston's queer community creates resilience through creativity, connection, and care. Whether through D'Amour's surreal theatrical worlds or the Montrose Center's tangible support services, this episode reveals how LGBTQ+ Houstonians continue building futures despite uncertainty.
Don't miss "The Frozen Section," running March 28-April 19 at The Match, and mark your calendars for the Montrose Center's circus-themed "Empowering Our Future" gala on April 26, where you can directly support vital youth services while celebrating community joy.
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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