Voices of Houston: How one LGBTQ+ activist is making strides in Houston communities

Dexter Williams would prefer to remain behind the scenes, but on Wednesday Williams found himself in front of a camera as KPRC2 highlighted his work in the community.

“I would rather spend my time in the background because there are a lot of great people in our community that are doing incredible things,” said Williams.

The Atlanta-native is a strong voice for Houston’s LGBTQ+ community. He works to bring people together from different backgrounds and races by promoting events and even hosting some to foster understanding between members under the LGBTQIA umbrella.

“That’s not always easy to do, and I learned a long time ago if you create a world that you want to see, eventually people will catch on,” he said.

Williams organizes an annual community picnic titled “Bring Your Own Picnic,” where LGBTQIA people can play games and share food while raising awareness about other non-profits and other events happening in the community. He said during the February freeze, they helped a non-profit with toiletries, clothing and food.

“I hosted a discussion at the Montrose Center to try to bring everyone together, which was titled ‘Under The Rainbow,’ so we could understand each other better as it relates to trans, gay men, lesbians, non-binary,” said Williams.

Williams also hosts day parties. He was nominated as the 2020 male-identifying Grand Marshal for Pride Houston, but the pandemic rained on his parade when the annual event was canceled

“I know that Pride is going to make it up to me,” Williams said as he winked. “I know that Pride is going to make it up to me with some form of celebration. I can’t wait.”

The community threw Williams a drive-by parade outside his house last year as cars honked and people cheered and showered him with love.

“It was one of the most amazing feelings that I got from just my community. All the people who voted for me came out and they drove around the circles of my neighborhood,” he said.

Williams has a few events planned for this year to help raise awareness within the LGBTQ community, such as a toy drive that will take place in July.

He says the times and even the platforms have changed since he was younger, and he hopes today’s youth knows they are loved and accepted.

“I really hope that the young people in the LGBTQIA community appreciate where they are because we have come a long way,” he added. “Back in my day, people knew that gay people existed, but we never talked about it.”

Williams met his husband, Dr. Keith Clark, nine years ago and has been married since 2017.