Month: February 2024

The Louisville Pride Foundation is thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for dynamic and influential members of the drag community! We are seeking passionate individuals to become Drag Community Ambassadors as part of our innovative “Immunity in the Community” initiative. This initiative is dedicated to improving vaccine confidence and health outcomes within the LGBTQ+ community in Kentucky

As a Drag Community Ambassador, you will have the unique opportunity to merge artistry with advocacy, using your platform to promote vital health information and vaccine awareness. This role is more than just a title; it’s a chance to make a tangible difference in the community, leveraging the power of performance and social media to educate, inspire, and empower.

The Louisville Pride Foundation is committed to inclusivity and strongly encourages applications from LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and those with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

This is more than a job; it’s a mission. If you’re ready to stand at the intersection of performance and advocacy, to use your voice and talent for a critical cause, we want to hear from you. Let’s work together to make a difference in our community.

Apply today and be at the forefront of change with the Louisville Pride Foundation!

Apply Here!

Job Title: Drag Community Ambassador

Location: Louisville, KY

Job Type: Contract

Compensation: $100 per performance/event, with a cap of $100 per day, for up to 20 performances/events during the first contract period.

Organization Overview: The Louisville Pride Foundation, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to celebrating and supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Through our “Immunity in the Community” initiative, we aim to improve vaccine confidence and health outcomes within the LGBTQ+ community.

Job Description: We are seeking dynamic and influential members of the drag community to serve as Drag Community Ambassadors. These individuals will play a crucial role in promoting vaccine awareness and education through their performances and social media presence. The ambassadors will be instrumental in using their platform to spread vital health information, specifically regarding vaccinations, to the LGBTQ+ community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete Community Health Worker Training coordinated by The Louisville Pride Foundation.
• Incorporate vaccine information and education into performances or social media content at least once per week.
• Provide video evidence of vaccine information dissemination (e.g., phone video of a performance or a link to a video posted on Instagram or Facebook).
• Engage with the community at events and performances, serving as a credible and trusted source of vaccine information.
• Collaborate with The Louisville Pride Foundation and health professionals to ensure accurate and up-to-date information dissemination.
• Participate in regular check-ins and training updates with The Louisville Pride Foundation.
• Pass a background check as a prerequisite for the role.

Qualifications:

• Active and recognized member of the drag community in Louisville, KY.
• Strong communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to effectively use social media platforms for outreach and education.
• Commitment to promoting public health and vaccine awareness.
• Willingness to complete necessary training to become a Community Health Worker.
• Reliable access to technology for virtual training sessions and digital content creation.
• Ability to provide video proof of vaccine information dissemination in performances or via social media.
• Must successfully pass a background check.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit an application outlining their interest in the role, experience in the drag community, and commitment to promoting health and wellness. Must include links to social media profiles or past performances if available.

Selection Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated based on their influence within the drag community, communication skills, social media presence, commitment to the cause of public health and vaccine awareness, and the ability to successfully pass a background check.

The Louisville Pride Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Note: This position is contract-based and contingent upon the availability of funding. The role and responsibilities outlined above may be subject to change based on program needs and funding availability.

Apply Here!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/1/2024

The Louisville Pride Foundation has made history by appointing Ebony Cross as Executive Director and Victoria Syimone as Board Chair. This marks a groundbreaking moment as it’s the first instance, according to sources, where two black women of their respective identities have led an LGBTQ organization’s top roles simultaneously. Notably, Cross identifies as a masculine-presenting woman and Syimone as a trans woman, possibly setting a precedent for leadership diversity in any organization.

Having two black queer women in the top leadership positions of an LGBTQ organization is a notable achievement. It reflects LPF’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, not just in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity, but also race. This is particularly important in the context of the Louisville LGBTQ community, where there has been ongoing dialogue about the need for greater racial diversity and representation.

The fact that Cross identifies as a masculine-presenting woman and Syimone as a trans woman adds layers to the diversity they bring to their roles. Their leadership challenges traditional norms and stereotypes about gender expression and identity, showcasing the spectrum within the Louisville LGBTQ community itself. It sends a powerful message about the acceptance and celebration of diverse gender identities and expressions in leadership roles.

Their appointments will hopefully set a precedent for other organizations, both within and outside the LGBTQ community, to prioritize diversity in their leadership. It highlights the importance of having leaders who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, which can lead to more inclusive and effective decision-making and policy development.

The leadership of Cross and Syimone can have a profound impact on the LGBTQ community, particularly young black queer individuals and trans women who may see them as role models. Their visibility and success can inspire others and demonstrate the possibilities of leadership roles for individuals who may face multiple layers of marginalization.

Their leadership opens up opportunities to address issues that are specific to the intersection of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. They are positions to advocate for services and practices that are inclusive and equitable, not just within the LGBTQ community but in the broader societal context.

Ebony Cross, originally from Akron, Ohio, has been appointed as the interim Executive Director of the Louisville Pride Foundation. Embracing her identity as a black masculine-presenting woman, Cross aims to enhance the Louisville Pride Center’s accessibility for all community members. Her journey to Louisville was sparked by an online connection that blossomed into a lifelong commitment, both to her wife and the vibrant local community. Prior to her current role, Cross contributed to the foundation as an administrative coordinator, bringing a fresh perspective on accessibility, representation, and community support. Under her leadership, the foundation seeks to expand its programming and resources, emphasizing harm reduction, food security, and health education​​.

Victoria Syimone, a trailblazing performer from Louisville, Kentucky, stands as a beacon within the LGBTQ+ community. Her journey, marked by authenticity and resilience, defies the constraints of societal norms. Growing up in the shadow of Churchill Downs, Syimone embraced her identity amidst an environment unfamiliar with the nuances of being trans. Her evolution into a renowned DJ and performer is a testament to her defiance against marginalization, using her platform to advocate for the visibility and respect of trans women of color. Syimone’s confrontational spirit, coupled with her commitment to education and empowerment, underscores her role as an unwavering pillar in the fight for equality and understanding within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community​​.

The Louisville Pride Foundation is known for orchestrating the annual Pride Festival on Bardstown Road every September. This event brings together the community for a celebration of unity, diversity, and joy. Beyond the festival, the foundation hosts the Sunday Funday Derby Drag Show, a dazzling event that combines the thrill of the derby with the fun of drag culture, and the 5K in Iroquois Park, promoting health, wellness, and camaraderie among participants. In a significant expansion of their mission to serve and support the LGBTQ community, the Louisville Pride Foundation proudly opened its Community Center at 1244 S. 3rd Street in October 2022. The center stands committed to providing a safe, welcoming space for education, support, and celebration of LGBTQ identities and allies alike.