Meegana Henry is the Founder and Executive Director of Fredericksburg Pride, a nonprofit organization and resource for local members of the LGBTQ+ community. Henry led pride events in Fredericksburg for a few years before founding FXBG Pride, where she saw that there was a need for a strong, sustainable resource for LGBTQ+ residents.
“It’s definitely a passion project,” she said, noting that FXBG Pride is entirely volunteer-based. “Everybody is working with us, and for the community, simply because they love it.”
Henry said that she spends 20-30 hours a week working for FXBG Pride, on top of her day job. She has worked hard to find a balance between her job and pride volunteerism, and is motivated by the fact that FXBG Pride is still very much needed.
“I like to think that we’re an inspiration for others to show more support for the LGBTQ+ community,” Henry said. According to her, since FXBG Pride was founded, there has been a substantial increase in local LGBTQ+ events, some of which are hosted by the organization, some of which are hosted by other individuals and organizations .
Henry said that her presence in downtown Fredericksburg for over a decade allowed her, as a woman, to independently organize her nonprofit without a lot of pushback. That being said, she believes that women still need to keep fighting for true equality. Henry has seen, particularly in the nonprofit sector, that women have worked hard to uplift and support other women, which she feels is impactful, and imperative to succeed.
Henry has brought her passion and professional drive to FXBG Pride, and continues to fulfill, and accomplish, her goals for the LGBTQ+ community.
“If it’s done with love, I truly believe that there can be success behind it,” Henry said.
Follow Fredericksburg Pride on Facebook.