Equality Texas - Here to Stay Gala

Equality Texas has been fighting to secure full and lived equality for LGBTQ+ Texans in all areas of the law for nearly 35 years. We have been committed to this work despite a hostile landscape because we have the power of our community—a community that shows up, speaks out, and pushes back no matter how hard things can be. Every time we are knocked down, we get back up and create new plans, new ways to fight. This year we want all Texans to know that Texas has always been queer. And that won’t ever change. As a result of your generosity at the gala, $362,031 has been raised to support this important work. While the evening’s celebration is over, our work is only just beginning. 

Stuver had the honor to announce the 4ATX Leyendita of the Year award at this years 4ATX Gala, showcasing the amazing work being done throughout the year by Austin FC's nonprofit arm. The Leyendita award is given to a young person in 4ATX programs who has shown exceptional leadership skills and dedication to helping those around them.

As part of a shared mission to provide opportunities for underserved schools and Central Texas youth, Austin FC’s nonprofit arm 4ATX Foundation and the Club’s founding partner St. David’s HealthCare will provide free soccer clinics to students ages 7-11. Children will have the chance to learn from a professional soccer coach, meet Austin FC players, and leave with their very own soccer ball. This will be the program’s third year providing clinics. Stuver got to join in on the fun and kick the ball around with hundreds of campers.

On Friday, September 8, the Austin FC Grounds Team, 4ATX Foundation staff and Tellus Equipment Solution staff lined and painted fields, assembled benches, repainted goalposts, and picked up trash ahead of East Austin Soccer Club’s upcoming season. Austin FC players Brad Stuver and Damian Las also joined the efforts. 

During the latest winter storms of 2023, the field sign of East Austin Soccer Club was destroyed. Together, Austin FC, the Club’s nonprofit arm 4ATX Foundation, and partner Tellus Equipment Solutions donated a new sign and provided support to the fields for another year through mowing, line painting and equipment donations. Tellus also provided landscaping equipment to manicure the pitch.

“KUT Considers” is a quarterly series facilitating community conversations around a range of topics – from current events to culture.  KUT’s Jimmy Maas and Juan Garcia hosted a fun conversation about the business, sport and charity facets of the club with some of the people who make it happen, including Austin FC Vice President of Community Impact Trennis Jones, goalie Brad Stuver and Austin musician Mélat.

This year marked the 8th annual Austin Soccer Foundation Gala, which convenes Austin’s amazing soccer community for a night of celebration that highlights achievements of Austin’s youth soccer players, coaches and referees, and honors leaders who have made significant and sustained contributions to the growth and development of the beautiful game. Brad and Ashley Stuver were Co-Chairs of this event where they helped award scholarships to local youth soccer players and referees and presenting the Lifetime of Achievement Award to UT Women's Soccer Head Coach, Angela Kelly.

For the second year in a row, Stuver partnered with Equality Texas and Avow to raise money for the two organizations by raffling off the chance to score a penalty kick on the goalkeeper. The event was a chance to raise awareness about the attacks on reproductive rights and the LGBTQIA+ community in the Texas legislature as well as at the Supreme Court level. With over 150 people turning out and 75 people trying their luck taking shots at Stuver, this event is continuing to grow and getting more people involved in the fight for equality.

In the first Laundry Project in Austin this year, Stuver was joined by over 40+ volunteers from the Austin FC community to help 324 families do over 2000 loads of clean clothes. A special shoutout to Covert Ford and The Coon Family Foundation for their generous donations to make these projects a reality. The next Austin Laundry Project will be on October 15, 2023.

Amplify Austin is a 24 hour period of giving started under the mantra "I Live Here, I Give Here". It highlights the amazing work of some of the most prominent non-profits in the Austin area. Stuver and the Austin Steering Committee of Equality Texas held a kickoff event at HopSquad Brewing Company. There were raffles, drinking and an intense FIFA tournament where the winner won an authentic 2023 Austin FC Home Jersey. This year Equality Texas was able to fundraise over $20,000 during Amplify. If you would like to learn more about the Austin Steering Committee and future Equality Texas events send a message on our contact page.