Meet the female identifying grand marshal for Pride Houston 365

In Houston, Joelle Espeut, raised in a military family moving across the Midwest, faced challenges embracing her transgender identity due to a lack of support. After relocating to Houston seven years ago, she now focuses on creating inclusive spaces for Black transgender women.

Born in Germany, Espeut spent early childhood in a military environment before settling in St. Louis, where she struggled with her gender identity amidst societal constraints. She moved to Los Angeles at 17, finding empowerment to express herself authentically and pursued a decade-long career in fashion, despite facing discrimination upon revealing her transgender identity in the workplace.

Returning briefly to St. Louis to care for her stepfather battling cancer, she eventually settled in Houston, drawn by its vibrant Black LGBTQ+ community. Through social media, she connected with local activists and transitioned to nonprofit work. Currently, as the director of programming at Normal Anomaly, Espeut focuses on addressing systemic barriers faced by Black trans women.

Her advocacy includes creating safe spaces that empower Black trans women as community leaders and equipping them with advocacy tools. Recognized as the female-identifying grand marshal for the 46th annual Pride Houston parade, Espeut aims to amplify visibility and support for the transgender community.

As she prepares for the parade, Espeut emphasizes the importance of standing up against discrimination and fostering community resilience. She asserts her commitment to challenging misconceptions about Texas as an unwelcoming place for trans individuals, believing in the necessity of advocating from within the state.

For more details on Espeut’s initiatives, visit Normal Anomaly’s website, and for information on the Pride Houston celebration, visit Pride Houston 365’s website.