‘We’re not going anywhere’: LubbockPRIDE emphasizes community education and support

KTTZ | By Samantha Larned

Published February 11, 2026 at 11:25 AM CST

This past weekend, LubbockPRIDE collaborated with local medical students to provide a presentation on gender diversity in health care, followed by a resource fair organized by LubbockPRIDE.

The presentation discussed the basics of transgender care and vocabulary, safe sex practices, HIV treatment and prevention, as well as barriers to care and the unique challenges faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community.

A 2024 survey by the queer youth crisis intervention organization the Trevor Project found that 42% of LGBTQ+ Texans ages 13-24 had seriously considered suicide in the past year; 55% reported symptoms of depression and 66% reported symptoms of anxiety.

58% of those surveyed said that they or their family had considered leaving the state due to queer-related politics and laws.

Since the release of that data, more than 100 anti-LGBTQ+ laws were filed by state lawmakers in the 2025 legislative session.

Fewer than 10 were approved, including the creation of legal definitions for man and woman, the “bathroom bill” implementing fines for those who use a public restroom that does not align with their assigned gender at birth, and restrictions on the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in public school instruction and student clubs.

Caroline Mahavier is the fundraising coordinator for LubbockPRIDE. She said that at a time when anxiety and fear are high in the community, it can feel like “sticking your neck out” just to talk about queer issues publicly.

She said the medical students approached the organization looking for a safe space to share information. KTTZ requested to speak with the students involved, but they did not feel comfortable speaking to the media.

A photo of buttons on a table with the text 'you will never erase us,' over a floral background.

In 2025, Texas Senate Bill 37, authored by then-state senator and current Texas Tech University System chancellor Brandon Creighton, passed in the 89th Legislative Session. It charged public university systems’ boards of regents with creating committees to review class materials and certain degree and certificate programs.

Since then, universities across Texas have implemented new guidelines restricting the discussion of race, gender, and sexuality within the classroom. Most of these policies are aimed toward faculty, but students have reported a chilling effect in their own speech.

There have also been incidents seemingly unrelated to university policies which could dissuade students from expressing themselves publicly. Following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Texas Governor Greg Abbott took to social media calling for students’ expulsion over their comments. Some student organizations have also had their on-campus events cancelled by their universities, particularly those pertaining to controversial topics like drag performances and abortion.

Many new policies and restrictions also came after the 2023 state law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The bill, filed by Creighton, also closed university LGBTQ+ and cultural centers, leaving many students feeling unsupported.

A photo of a sticker that says 'trans rights are human rights,' in the colors of the transgender flag.

LubbockPRIDE welcomed the students and their expertise, and added the resource fair to provide further information for the community.

“Especially at a time when we are facing a lot of mistrust towards government and educational institutions to provide this life-saving information,” Mahavier said. “It does feel like our role to step up and foster these kinds of conversations and spread this information.”

The resource fair saw around 20 organizations, businesses, counselors, health providers, and churches. Booths offered support groups, community events, and voter registration.

“We need to stand up for each other,” Mahavier said. “We need to stand up for those in vulnerable communities. And it feels safer when we do it as a group, when we do it as a team like we did today.”

Mahavier also encouraged community members to attend upcoming events like Self Care Sundays, Game Night, and – of course – Lubbock Pride Fest.

“We are looking for sponsors,” she said. “So if you hear this message and you want to support us in putting on programming such as we did today, we could use it.”

She added that events like Pride Fest celebrate joy and inclusivity, and “it means that we're not going anywhere.”

You can find a list of some of those who attended the resource fair below:

Community, Engagement, Education: