Amy L. Stone is Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Trinity University, a liberal arts college in San Antonio, Texas. Their research includes the study of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) politics and the incorporation of LGBT individuals into groups (e.g., communities, cities) and the law.

Their book, Gay Rights at the Ballot Box (2012, University of Minnesota Press) is the first systematic analysis of how activists in political campaigns fight anti-gay initiatives. They are also the author of Cornyation: San Antonio’s Outrageous Fiesta Tradition, and co-editor of Out of the Closet, Into the Archives: Researching Sexual Histories.

They have published in journals such as the Annual Review of Sociology, Sexualities, Journal of Homosexuality, GLQ, and the Journal of the History of Sexuality. Current research includes a four-city comparative study of how LGBT individuals and communities develop cultural citizenship through their integration into urban festivals in four cities in the South and Southwest, including Mobile Mardi Gras and San Antonio Fiesta. They are currently a deputy editor of Gender & Society.

Lex Loro is a queer justice activist, community health educator, and mental health professional. Lex has almost ten years of experience working in sexual health education and advocacy, curriculum development, and training facilitation to support queer and disabled youth. She is a Co-Founder of Not Your Average Sex Talk, a peer-to-peer health advocacy network that uses a harm reduction, trauma-informed framework to discuss sex and intimacy in ways that are often neglected in traditional settings. She has presented NYAST programming on college campuses and at multiple conferences across the country, with the goal of creating dialogue and resources that are sex-positive, intersectional, and catered towards marginalized people while addressing the ways that marginalization intertwines with attraction and intimacy. Lex spent a year as a Public Policy and Government Affairs Fellow at the National LGBTQ Task Force where they worked to disseminate the findings of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. As a graduate student, Lex interned at the Alamo Area Rape Crisis Center and the Community Counseling Services, providing trauma-informed therapy services with a specialization in LGBTQ+ affirming care. They have spent the last five years serving the Pride Center in a number of roles, currently as Interim Executive Director. Lex received their BA from American University in Washington D.C., with a degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Journalism and their MS in Psychology – Marriage and Family Therapy from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Stacy is a Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor (LPC-S) and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in the state of Texas. She is board certified as a Nationally Credentialed Counselor (NCC). Her professional values are demonstrated in her precision and deep commitment to her research, evaluation, and clinical work. Stacy exemplifies the core value of equity and inclusive practices through her clinical, research, and scholarly activities. Clinically, she works with people from all walks of life. Most recently, Stacy sees a lot of healthcare professionals and first responders. More importantly, she is known for working with various peer assistance programs and licensure boards; she helps clients navigate these systems and remain on the road to recovery. She is also a TPAPN and TXPHP-approved evaluator, the monitoring programs for health care professionals.

Stacy is the owner and Executive Director of Salient Clinical Services – a company created to provide optimal clinical, evaluative, and consulting services. She is a nationally recognized speaker; having given multiple talks and workshops on the topics of mentorship, relationships, LGBTQ+ Ally-Development, and Cultural Responsiveness. Additionally, she has published several book chapters and peer-reviewed manuscripts on addiction, trauma, mentorship, and grief.