West Virginia Can’t Wait has declared Greenbrier Valley Pride and Kayla McCoy as two of Greenbrier County’s “Hometown Heroes.”
On Mar. 1, West Virginia Can’t Wait founder Stephen Smith called the press conference to celebrate the newest awardees.
“This winter, we’re recognizing 40 West Virginia Hometown Heroes across the state, people and organizations who are making a difference. We’re offering them a $2,000 award, no strings attached to keep doing what they’re doing,” said Smith.
“In 2021, a group of dedicated individuals created Greenbrier Valley’s first ever Pride event in only 29 days,” Smith said. “The parade and street festival featured state organizations, artists, entertainers, and had over 500 attendees. The group now has a full board and is in process to become a registered 501(c)3. As part of its mission, Greenbrier Valley pride is going to continue an annual Pride event, work on advocacy at the state and local level, establish peer support groups for the LGBTQIA+ community, and build a scholarship fund for students in the Greenbrier Valley.”
The award comes during a year when state legislatures across the country are considering aggressively anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and policies, including a ban on “classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity” passed in the Florida House of Representatives and a recent letter from Texas Governor Greg Abbott seeking to investigate and remove transgender children from their homes. Greenbrier Valley Pride President Kelsie Tyson highlighted these issues at the award ceremony.
“Greenbrier Valley Pride winning a West Virginia Can’t Wait Hometown Hero award is just proof of the astronomical difference that our organization has made in our community in less than a year,” said Tyson. “Not only that, but we now have $2,000, no strings attached, to put on a bigger event this year and be a bigger resource for the LGBTQIA+ community in our area. Just knowing that there are so many transphobic, homophobia, racist, and discriminatory laws and legislation trying to be put into action across the country, in our state, and in our community right now, and knowing that we won this award as a Pride organization, is a really big signifier that we’re not stopping. We’re not going to let people treat us like crap just because we’re gay,” Tyson said.
McCoy, a Greenbrier Valley Pride board member, was also declared a Hometown Hero individually for her work. Until recently, McCoy was the executive director of the Greater Greenbrier Valley Long Term Recovery Committee, working to bring help to those impacted in the 2016 flood. In addition, McCoy helped coordinate the organization’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
McCoy thanked Smith for the recognition.
“I feel like hero is a strong word,” McCoy said. “When I look back at the things that I’ve been able to do with the support of our community in the last six years, I just [want to share this award] with everyone who’s ever volunteered with me, and anyone who has ever showed up when I put out the call.”
Those looking to contact GVP can do so at greenbriervalleypride.com.
Editor’s note – Greenbrier Valley Pride board member Lyra Bordelon is a staff writer for The West Virginia Daily News. Additionally, Kayla McCoy is running for Greenbrier County Clerk. The West Virginia Daily News does not endorse candidates.
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| Greenbrier Valley Pride and Kayla McCoy each were named Hometown Heroes. Accepting the award were (l – r) board members Lyra Bordelon, President Kelsie Tyson, Treasurer Molly Arbogast, Kayla McCoy, and Jorge Rodriguez-Stanley. |
