To my House of Hues community,
It is with tremendous honor that I announce my election as President of House of Hues, effective January 2026. I am deeply grateful to be entrusted with this role. I will work tirelessly to be the leader our community needs as we navigate an increasingly uncertain world. A space like ours is rare and precious, and I am committed to nurturing it so it can grow in the direction it must.
My primary goal is to uphold our mission while thoughtfully evolving what House of Hues can be during these changing, and often challenging, times. In 2026, we will continue to host our cornerstone events like the Pride Show and Pride Festival. I also hope we can expand the reach of our QueerStory and House of Hues Productions programs. As some of you know, our first QueerStory event last November was an overwhelming success. This year, I want to build on that momentum, branch into new spaces, and fearlessly try new things. The possibilities are endless, and your ideas are vital. Please share them with us. We will work diligently to help bring our collective visions to life.
Before I conclude, I must take a moment to recognize the extraordinary dedication of our founding president, Sylvia Ximi. Sylvia was the first person I spoke to at House of Hues, and they welcomed me with open arms. When I confessed I did not want to do drag but rather read poetry, their immediate response was, "Hell yeah, let's do it!" That encouragement led to my first performance at Pantheon in September 2023, a moment that truly changed my life and set me on the path here today. For that, I will forever be grateful.
Sylvia, thank you for being the president House of Hues needed all these years, and for the immense passion and effort you poured into making this vision a reality. Thank you for your leadership, your friendship, your understanding, and your love. You created a space for us to simply be ourselves and make meaningful art. I know I speak for our entire community when I say we are forever grateful for everything you have done to build a safe home for us in Prescott. Your foundation made all of this possible, and that legacy will never be forgotten. We are so glad you are sticking around, and we wish you the very best in this next phase of your life. We cannot wait to see what you do next!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for welcoming me into this community. If you had told me three years ago that I would become President of a queer non-profit, I would not have believed it. But here I am, and here are all of you. I am so thankful to be part of the magic we create together. Please never hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or ideas. I am here to listen, to support you, and my door is always open. Together, we will ensure that House of Hues remains a vital, thriving canvas for every queer story yet to be told.
With love and gratitude,
Atlas DeBorde
