Jonathan Swindle, the President of Pride Corpus Christi, recently spoke at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Corpus Christi, TX on February 26. The focus of his speech was on the future of Pride and the hurdles that must be overcome. Swindle also addressed the efforts being made at the legislature to marginalize the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those who are transgender.

In his speech, Swindle discussed the importance of Pride events in promoting visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. He emphasized that while progress has been made in recent years, there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving equality for all members of the community. Swindle also touched on the ongoing struggles that LGBTQ+ individuals face in their daily lives, including discrimination, harassment, and violence.

Swindle further discussed the recent legislative efforts to limit the rights of transgender individuals, which he noted as a significant concern for the community. Texas has seen a wave of anti-transgender bills being proposed, which could make it more difficult for transgender individuals to access healthcare, participate in sports, and use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. Swindle stressed that these bills are not just about transgender individuals, but about erasing the entire LGBTQ+ community.

Despite these challenges, Swindle expressed optimism for the future of Pride and the LGBTQ+ community. He urged those in attendance to continue to fight for equality and to stand up against discrimination in all its forms.

Overall, Swindle’s speech highlighted the continued struggles of the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of ongoing efforts to promote acceptance and equality. Watch the full livestream above for more.