As Pride Month comes to a close, mayoral candidate and founding member of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus Celia Israel launched her “LGBTQ Austinites for Celia” advisory committee. Its purpose will center on mobilizing queer Austinites to support Israel in her campaign.

“LGBTQ Austinites for Celia” kick-off party with MC Brigitte Bandit (Courtesy of Celia for Austin Campaign)

Much of Israel’s campaign so far has focused on her “Home for All” plan to address the current housing crisis. Housing, or lack thereof, has been a pivotal point of discussion within queer circles, as many in LGBTQ+ community struggle to retain stable housing situations due to low income and discrimination. “Our community helped build the fabric of what makes Austin such a special place,” states committee member Dr. Victor Martinez via a press release. “City leaders have failed to address the growing housing affordability crisis, and LGBTQ Austinites are being forced out. Celia Israel has a real plan to address the problem and to keep Austin affordable for all our vital communities.”

The advisory committee includes many other prominent local activists and political figures, including intersex rights activist Alicia Roth Weigel, Texas Young Democrats State Finance Director Meebs Aslam, and Texas’ first openly gay state legislator Glen Maxey – all of whom attended the Tuesday night committee kick-off party at Gusto’s Austin, MC’d by local drag queen Brigitte Bandit.

According to a campaign press release, young LGBTQ Democrats will be a key support group in her mayoral journey, especially in terms of helping to get out the vote when school is back in session. “Advocacy and organizing is a fact of life for LGBTQ people in Austin and across our country,” Israel says, adding that “Who gets to live here and who gets to decide is on the ballot. I want to protect the rights of all Austinites and help keep our city affordable for all the Celias and Celindas [Israel’s wife] who want to follow our journey—or forge their own paths.”