Queer Changemakers

Bishop Allyson Abrams is changing the world by advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and fostering a sense of community and healing.

In this conversation, we talk about her journey as an openly gay bishop, her work through the Empowerment Liberation Cathedral and Empowerment Justice Center, and themes of spirituality, resilience, and healing. From founding an inclusive church in Washington D.C. to tackling issues such as hate crimes, Abrams emphasizes the importance of honesty, healing, and support within both the LGBTQ+ and Black communities.

You can connect with Bishop Abrams in the following ways: 

Learn more about Empowerment Liberation Cathedral their programs, and how you can attend or support here. 

Tonio Ellison (He / Him) is changing the world by advocating for the community and providing peer support through the HIV Prevention Trials Network, and is also a certified life coach. 

In this conversation, we talk about the Importance of community and allyship,  challenges for people of color in the queer community, and themes of resilience, being our true selves, and the value of listening to everyone’s story.

Tonio is creating the Tonio Inclusion Summit and Award Show, designed to recognize unsung heroes in the community and to connect grassroots individuals with elite leaders. He intends for this event to be a resource for mental health, job opportunities, and other community needs.

Connect with him to learn more and RSVP.

You can connect with Tonio in the following ways:

Learn more about the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN)

Robin McHaelen (she/her) is changing the world by working with LGBTQ+ youth and other gender and sexual minorities for about 30 years. She founded an organization called True Colors in Connecticut and ran it for 26 years, retiring in 2020. 

In this conversation, we talk about empowering young people, supporting the systems around youth,  and  the importance of openness and continuous learning. 

Robin is co-organizing the True Colors SOGIEcon event for LGBTQ+ youth, allies and support systems on March 20-22, 2025 at University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT . Use this link to learn more and RSVP: https://www.healthcollective.org/true-colors-lgbtq-conference

You can connect with Robin in the following ways:

Daniel Garza (He / Him) is changing the world through a variety of entertainment and advocacy work. By sharing his story, and journeys, he advocates for awareness of HIV, anal cancer, and HPV with Cheeky Charity, and LGBTQ cancer support group.   

He also creates and shares media content through his production company, Lilmesican Productions Inc., which has three shows on the air, including a talk show, a card reading spiritual show, and an interview show, to inspire and influence people positively. These can be found on his YouTube Channel: @LilmesicanProductionsInc 

In this conversation, we talk about creative expression, influence, themes of laughter, joy ,  and  how to keep a sense of curiosity and wonder as we go through life’s challenges .

Daniel is hosting an event for Caregivers on February 21 to share stories and celebrate the community and caregivers who provide support to people surviving cancer and other medical issues. There will be an English webinar and panel, followed by a webinar and panel in Spanish. Watch on his youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/LilMesican

You can connect with Daniel in the following ways:

I was also a guest on his show and you can watch that episode here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Yvnduk4iXN0?si=zYBYKXhlHhn3lnZ0 

Finding Your Fit with Keira Harbison

Keira Harbison (they/them) is changing the world by showing people that everyone is on a unique health journey and deserves an authentic plan as a fitness and nutrition coach. They are especially focused on supporting the unique needs of queer and neurodivergent individuals and helping create customized health plans.

In this conversation, we talk about challenging traditional fitness norms, authentic health goals  and strategies to find more accessible gyms.

You can connect with Keira in the following ways:

Resources about the IRS code:

Michelle Archable (she/her) is changing the world by helping everyone see how GREAT they already are, by planting seeds of self-confidence everywhere she goes. She does this through her motivational speaking, books for adults and children and her confidence coaching services. 

In this conversation, she shares a few confidence strategies, and maintaining confidence and authenticity in 2025.

Michelle will be hosting an exclusive "Boost Your Confidence" workshop, designed specifically for YOU! This 4-week intensive program will provide you with practical tools, techniques, and insights to build and maintain self-confidence in various aspects of life. To learn more, Email at [email protected]

You can connect with Michelle in the following ways:

Cassie (They, She, He, All) is changing the world by increasing the participation of LGBTQ+ individuals in health research as participants, researchers, advocates, and policymakers, as the LGBTQIA+ regional engagement coordinator for the Midwest at PrideNet. Cassie shares how she implements and more community-engaged model so that individuals can be heard and have a say in the full research process.m 

In this conversation, we talk about themes of transformation in systems rather than surface level solutions, how stories and inclusive data can help everyone better understand themselves, and how our personal and collective healing is needed to address systemic injustices and honor all of our community’s experiences.  

Bio: Cassie Armea-Warren is a white, gender-non-conforming, pro-ho, highly organized, abolitionist and country queer with a harm reduction heart. They are passionate about creating spaces for people to come together and be authentic, finding the invisible points of connection between us and nurturing them. With over a decade as a youth worker and clinic manager they specialize in community engagement, values-aligned policy, and innovative program design. Now part of Stanford University’s PRIDEnet team, Cassie focuses on LGBTQIA+ representation, equity, and justice in healthcare, bringing a dedication for redistributing resources and building the capacity, power, and visions of all people impacted by injustices and oppression.

JT  “German Chocolate”  (He/Him) is changing the world by advocating for a more holistic approach for LGBTQ+ health and healthcare. In his role as LGBTQIA+ Regional Engagement Coordinator (South), he finds a variety of ways to do outreach and connect with individuals and organizations on behalf of the Pride Study and the All of Us Research Program. Outside of that, JT also mentors youth supporting their journeys to grow, glow and go make a difference.

In this conversation, we talk about the value of healthcare organizations understanding the needs of LGBTQ+ people, building bridges between our LGBTQ+ communities and organizations, and the value of mentorship.

Bio: JT Williams, BA, also known as German Chocolate was born in Heidelberg, Germany, and then moved to American in the early 90s. As he grew up in the church, he learned the importance of working to build lasting and impactful relationships. This resulted in the development of people and compassion skills for helping people from all walks of life.

As a graduate of East Carolina University, he has been working in the Health Education and Promotion field for over 15 years and in the Human Health and Service field for the past 20 years. Resulting in the title of a Health Advocate for Improved Quality of Health for all.

JT’s goal is to enrich the quality of life for all communities and beyond through his creative and charismatic personality. With his wide array of networks, resources, and community relations. The impact he is leaving is on a global scale.

Live and in charge, German Chocolate is good for the heart. Stay tuned for all of the latest updates from this agent of change as he works to unite the communities and create change for generations to come.

Alex Armira (they/she) is changing the world by expanding the ways LGBTQ+ individuals are seen in research as Communications Coordinator at PRIDEnet. They create graphic design, social media, and email content for PRIDEnet’s collaborations. 

Through their high school and college years, they worked to create safe community spaces at schools for LGBTQIA+ youth through clubs like Gay-Straight Alliance – later changed to Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA). Alex advocated for changes at school to be more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ students and continues to bring that passion to PRIDEnet’s communications.

In this conversation, we continue to discuss LGBTQIA+ representation in research, the importance of community and safe spaces, and the experience of working alongside other queer individuals.

Find us at events: pridenet.org/events

Ana Rescate, MBA (she / her / ella) is changing the world by supporting LGBTQ+ research as Communications Manager at PRIDEnet. In this conversation, she describes what the Pride Study is all about, why LGBTQ+ participation in research is important and other initiatives PrideNet is engaged with. 

• Learn more about The PRIDE Study: pridestudy.org

• Research Findings: pridestudy.org/research

Ana Rescate, MBA brings deep expertise in multimedia and community affairs to PRIDEnet, drawing from her experience in various communication roles (writer, photographer, editor, social media manager, videographer, graphic designer, production manager) throughout her career.