Welcome to the East Texas Rainbow Network

I’m Cate, founder of the East Texas Rainbow Network. I’m a biracial nonbinary lesbian with both physical and mental disabilities – so I’ve basically never had a space that was made for me. 

I became a community organizer because in the great words of Ayanna Presley, adapted from the great words of Shirley Chisolm, “if they don’t give you a seat at the table, build your own table.” 

The world is closing in on LGBTQ kids here in East Texas. Local communities are still ultimately controlled by churches preaching violently homophobic rhetoric, telling them they are disgusting for their differences. My wife and I even walked into a church one Saturday night because it was a voting location and we were forced to hear a sermon on the evils of the gays. 

It’s no exaggeration to say that if this cultural toxin is left unchecked, LGBTQ people here will die from this homophobia, either through self-inflicted or external violence.

The East Texas Rainbow Network will aim to be a collection of both physical and digital spaces – tables, if you will – for LGBTQ East Texans and their allies, built by intersectionality and hope. We will share stories, resources, knowledge and skills to heal ourselves and create our future. All those who want and support healthy lives full of love for all are welcome.

There is an unbelievably large queer community here that needs help getting organized, as well as the untapped investment opportunities possible for pennies on the dollar compared to major urban cities. Sustainable communities are inherently rural – LGBTQ leaders can be on the forefront of that social change. 

The East Texas Rainbow Network will work on a regional level to organize for queer community, advocacy and health. More will be coming soon, and I am actively looking for people both in and outside of East Texas to work with me on this project. Subscribe below to join The Network!