Montrose Center’s Out for Good Gala Celebrates Atlantis Narcisse and Sustains Vital Queer Services in Houston

Houston’s queer community is preparing for one of its most anticipated annual events: the Montrose Center’s Out for Good Gala, scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis Houston. This signature gathering is more than a fundraiser—it is a testament to the city’s enduring commitment to inclusion, equity, and mutual support. Proceeds from the gala directly sustain the Montrose Center’s essential slate of services, including mental health care, gender-affirming programs, HIV prevention, and 24-hour crisis intervention. As the community faces ongoing legislative and social challenges, the event is both a celebration and a lifeline for many of Houston’s LGBTQ+ residents.

This year, the Out for Good Gala spotlights Atlantis Narcisse, a longtime advocate whose work for Houston’s LGBTQ+ community has spanned more than two decades. Narcisse’s leadership—especially among Black transgender women and marginalized groups—has been instrumental in fostering safe spaces and access to resources. When news broke that Narcisse would be honored, she expressed deep humility, noting, “I have never thought about my work or anything I have done for the community as something that needed to be acknowledged. I was always just doing it for the community.”

Narcisse’s advocacy began in response to a lack of culturally competent services and representation for Black transgender people in Houston. She founded Save Our Sisters United, a nonprofit dedicated to the empowerment and health of Black transgender women, and has collaborated with numerous organizations to expand access to housing, healthcare, and legal support. Her work is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves dignity, regardless of gender identity or expression.

At the gala, Narcisse’s story will be front and center, reminding attendees that transformative change often begins at the grassroots level, led by those most affected by injustice. Her recognition comes at a time when anti-trans legislation and increasing violence have placed the rights and safety of transgender people in Texas under renewed threat.

The Montrose Center, founded in 1978, serves as a cornerstone of Houston’s LGBTQ+ infrastructure. Its programs are designed to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, including mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, youth outreach, and support for seniors. In recent years, demand for these services has surged, driven by both population growth and mounting political hostility.

Texas remains at the epicenter of legislative battles over LGBTQ+ rights. In 2025, the state passed a sweeping law banning transgender people from accessing gender-appropriate restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, and prison housing, igniting protests and drawing condemnation from civil rights organizations. Advocates warn that such measures exacerbate stigma, isolation, and mental health challenges for transgender people, particularly youth.

Against this backdrop, the Montrose Center offers a refuge for those facing discrimination or crisis. Its 24-hour intervention line, peer support groups, and culturally affirming health initiatives are vital for individuals who may have nowhere else to turn. The Out for Good Gala directly funds these efforts, ensuring continuity of care and the expansion of outreach to underserved communities.

In interviews with OutSmart Magazine, honoree Atlantis Narcisse and other community leaders emphasized that the gala is not only a celebration, but also a call to action. “I think about the community members that we get to work with. I’ve watched kids show up to give testimony who are now adults and still showing up to give testimony,” Narcisse recounted, reflecting on the importance of sustained activism and intergenerational leadership.

The Out for Good Gala invites attendees to participate in multiple ways: by donating, volunteering, or simply showing up in solidarity. Organizers have created opportunities for direct engagement, allowing supporters to sponsor programming or contribute to emergency funds for housing and healthcare. The event also serves as a platform for policy advocacy, with speakers and honorees urging action on issues ranging from anti-discrimination protections to transgender rights.

Houston’s LGBTQ+ community is notable for its diversity, including vibrant Latino, Black, Asian, and immigrant populations. The Montrose Center’s programming is intentionally intersectional, addressing the overlapping challenges faced by individuals who may experience racism, xenophobia, and other forms of bias alongside homophobia and transphobia.

Activists like Linda Morales, a civil rights icon in Texas, have underscored the need for solidarity across movements. “Whether we’re talking about LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, women’s, or workers’ rights, it all comes down to dignity and equality,” Morales wrote recently, highlighting the interconnectedness of struggles for justice.

By honoring Atlantis Narcisse—a Black transgender woman—the Out for Good Gala intentionally amplifies voices from communities often overlooked in mainstream LGBTQ+ spaces. This recognition is both symbolic and practical, drawing attention to the urgent realities faced by Black and Brown transgender people, who are disproportionately affected by violence, unemployment, and housing instability.

The gala’s theme, “Building Wholeness, Fighting for Humanity,” reflects a dual commitment to healing and resistance. Through its fundraising and community-building efforts, the Montrose Center aims to create an environment where LGBTQ+ people can access the tools to thrive—emotionally, physically, and socially. The event’s programming includes testimonials from service recipients, performances by local artists, and opportunities for attendees to learn about volunteering and advocacy.

Organizers encourage anyone interested in supporting Houston’s LGBTQ+ community to get involved, whether by attending the gala, donating, or signing up to volunteer. Information on participation is available on the Montrose Center’s website and through its development office .

As the Out for Good Gala approaches, Houston’s LGBTQ+ advocates emphasize the importance of ongoing vigilance and collective action. “The attacks we face are designed to make us feel isolated. But when we come together, we are unstoppable. Know your rights, use your voice, and never underestimate the power of solidarity,” Morales urged in a recent column.